Our Election & Calling, The motivating Factor

Making A True Fellowship - 1

“Our Election & Calling, The motivating Factor”

Colossians 3:12a

Our churches are weak because there is usually not a true fellowship, at least not a biblical one!

Scriptures such as this one and others’ such as James chapter 4 show us the dilemma in Christian circles that has existed since day one.

I.            ELECTION AND ITS’ INTERPRETIVE PROBLEMS AMONG BELIEVERS.

            A. An age-old debate.

Folks in our circles are quite adamant that election is a devilish doctrine. Yet, how can one argue the theological establishment of such terms as, election, calling, predestined?

So far have some gone in their disassociation with these terms, that they have derived heretical positions regarding the true doctrines of God.

            B. Acceptance without full understanding.

The position that says we must understand everything regarding theology is not biblical. God says that His ways are not our ways and that they are clearly beyond our understanding.

There are mysteries regarding the Word of God, which we must accept by faith without perfect understanding. And this doctrine is one of those.

II.            FELLOWSHIP AS AN INHERITED AND CHOSEN POSITION WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST.

            A. The definition of.

                        Fellowship is not camaraderie. It is not mere association.

                        It is sharing commonality in our relationship with Christ. 1 John 1:3

            B. The workings of.

1) We are a holy people – Set apart, separated from the world and unto God.

2) We are beloved as we are in the beloved.

            C. Fellowship and its’ connective tissue.

                        We are one in Christ, therefore we are connected to one another.

                        We are members one of another and of the body of Christ.

III.            FELLOWSHIP AND THE LIMITATIONS UPON OUR DIVERSE INTERPRETATIONS.

            A. Some think that they are independent of the body.

The reason is simple, they only see their existence in a universal body to the neglecting of the local.

This is most disturbing because 95% of verses dealing with the church are un-debatably references to a local group.

Personally I think they’re all local as far as the immediate interpretation, with some dualism implied.

            B. Some justify fellowship with God while dissenting from the membership.

Our fellowship with God is dependant upon our fellowship with one another.