The Power of Christian fellowships

The real depth of a Christian living lies in the fellowship of believers. I don't know how many of us really understand the importance of fellowships. We should never forget that we have been united in Christ as one body. I can think of the following fellowships that are very common and well known to us.

1. Fellowship between family members and relatives. This could be our daily gathering at home for prayer and Bible reading, or a weekly gathering in a relative or friend's home
2. Fellowship in the local church. This comprises of the youth, women, men and the other fellowships that happen after the church service.
3. Independent fellowships outside the church. This could be at the workplace, hospitals and other places where people gather during the weekdays, maybe during their lunch break.
4. Fellowships in various missionary organizations. This is where people involved with the missionary organizations, gather in small groups at various places, preferably near to their home.

To me, one should be part of at least two of the fellowships mentioned above. I would say point 1 is mandatory, and we can choose another one from among the other three options. In Matthew 18:19, 20 Jesus says "19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven" 20" For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them"

If we go through the New Testament, and for that matter even in the Old Testament, we could see how fellowships played a key role in strengthening the believers in various ways. A good fellowship would root us deep in the word of God, encourage us to pray for each other and for all the community needs, provide an opportunity to share our testimonies for the glory of God, group together and undertake some initiatives that would benefit the community, fight for the cause of the oppressed and the deprived etc. We could include more points to this list, that would help one to grow more in the Lord, have a great relationship with fellow believers, and work towards that betterment of the community.

I strongly think that there is a huge need for each of us to be involved in fellowships and actively participate in it. The spiritual dryness that we tend to face quite often could be overcome by the sharing and caring that takes place when we meet as a group. When the fellowships are strong, the local church will be strong and when the church is strong, many marvellous things can be accomplished for Christ through His body. Let us not underestimate the remarkable power of the fellowships.

The End of the Old, and the Beginning of the New - Don't miss out

I was reading through Viktor Frankl's famous book "Man's search for meaning", which contains a gripping account of the cruel persecution meted out to the jews by the Nazi regime during the Holocaust. Millions of innocent jews were plundered by the Nazis for a very strange reason that is to "stop the jews from gaining prominence in world affairs" especially in the German state.
Millions of innocent people including children and pregnant women were massacred in the cruelest way by being fed into the gas chambers that were waiting to choke and devour them. Yes, it was one of the greatest tragedies that would bring out a few tears if not more from anyone who would think about it with an emotional connect.
Hold on, I want to take you to yet another gruelling death which another Jew, the One who was THE representative of the entire mankind underwent at Golgotha, a place just outside Jerusalem. The reason for this death, fellow jews could not tolerate Jesus claiming to be the Messiah and God whom they were anticipating for a long time according to what was foretold by the prophets throughout the ages. They were anticipating that the Messiah would come and put an end to all their miseries.
It was an extraordinary death for an extraordinary Person, who was born with only one purpose in His life, that is to "die for the sins of mankind". But, why should someone die to save us from sin? Wasn't there any other option for God to handle this, rather than deciding Himself to come into this world in the flesh and subjecting Himself to be crucified?
God created human beings with only one purpose - "To live with Him for eternity and to enjoy His fellowship". That means, when God created Adam and Eve, they were destined to live forever along with God. They were part of a family with God as their head, a happy and satisfied family, one should say. A perfect state of affairs without any immorality, disease, death and most importantly, a state without sin.
The greatest tragedy was that Adam and Eve lost this state of paradise by giving themselves up to the guile and deceit of the evil one. The plan of God was thwarted by the devil. It was a rebellion that started in the garden of Eden where mankind chose to misuse the free will that was granted to them. The reason - They wanted instant knowledge to know everything that only the infinite wisdom of God could comprehend. Lucifer tricked them saying that he would help them to attain it.
As a result of this tragedy, mankind was subjected to two kinds of death; moral and physical. The privilege to live forever in this world without facing death was lost along with the ability to be in relationship with God - A terrible dual blow was inflicted by the devil on that eventful day in the garden of Eden.
But, God is full of love, He could not bear this agony of losing the fellowship of His children. But, there was one thing that prevented Him to get things back immediately, His nature of a righteous judge. He would not do anything outside His judicial framework by giving heed to his feelings.
God took one important decision on that day, He resolved to get back His children through an act which human mind cannot comprehend. God challenged the devil that in due course of time, he would be wiped off, step by step.  He phased the entire plan in four important steps
1. Coming into this world in flesh through a virgin - Christmas
2. Giving up His life on the cross - Good Friday
3. Taking His life back again and going up to Heaven - Easter
4. Coming back from Heaven to collect back His children - Second coming and judgement
It is the second step that we are dealing with here today. The innocent blood of Jesus had to be shed on the cross for the mankind to connect back to God. This was inevitable and Jesus perfectly fulfilled this plan in front of the jeering Roman soldiers - God will never turn back from His plan, Isn't He?
The death of Jesus on the cross cancelled the death sentence for sin that was looming large over the mankind. The foolish act of Adam and Eve were neutralised by the sacrifice of their Maker. Now, we are taken back to the original state which Adam and Eve had before the fall. But, there is one requirement, simple and profound - Anyone who wants to get back into a relationship with God and live for eternity should "believe" that He died and rose again for two things as follows
1. He died to cancel the debt of sin and reconciling us back to Him
2. He rose again to give us the eternal life
Christians, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Atheists and everyone who live on this earth "must" believe these absolute facts to become "Children of God". It is an offer that is still open and can be claimed by a simple act confession through faith. It can be done wherever you are without subjecting to any gruesome rituals.
May I request you to try this offer by doing the following
1. Realize your moral condition - So many corrupt thoughts, temptations, illicit relationships, greed, jealousy etc
2. Realize that there is life after death - The physical death on this earth is not the end. There is hope that is offered by Jesus.
3. Realize your need for God, the true One and offer yourself to relate back to Him by saying the following prayer from the bottom of your heart with true repentance and utter each word from the depth of your heart, soul and spirit.
"Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen."
If you had sincerely offered this prayer, I am sure that you are at peace with God and your life now. It doesn't matter if you are a traditional Christian or an atheist or somebody who belong to any other religion; It doesn't matter at all for the Bible says clearly "All have sinned and are short of the Glory of God" and "There is no one who is right, not even one". God's offer of salvation and hope is still open, and why don't we try it this time?
Good Friday, is not a day to be mourning, rather a day where we need to reflect and align ourselves with the plan of God. It has everything to do with the inside, rather than mere observance of the tradition. God Bless You!