Dear Lone Ranger Christian ~Edit post | Delete post

by Valinda (Val) J on July 22, 2012

Dear Lone Ranger Christian ~

Before you become fully convinced that you can walk out your salvation without the support of a church family, I hope you'll be open to considering these thoughts from the heart of God . . .

Romans 8 v 31 says, "If God is for us, then who can stand against us?" It does not read, "If God is for  ME . . ." 

James 1 vs 2-4 says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,^[a] whenever you (together?) face trials of many kinds,³ because you (together?) know that the testing of your faith (together?) produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you (together?) may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." 

Am I the only one who suspects that maturing in your relationship with Jesus is largely donetogether? Or perhaps it could even be spelled 'to~gather' . . . Jesus urged his disciples before he left, "Do not forsake the gathering of yourselves together . . . even more so in the end times." 

If you are like me, you may have at first missed the "togathering" that certainly seems to be quiteintentional in the Word of God. The very name of   Je s us  is very easily an acronym for fellowship.  Je (Jehova)  s  (saves and saves and saves)  us . . .

I sincerely and fervently pray that these words are a helpful encouragement to you as you continue to consider the value of a church family and fellowship.