Have you ever wondered why Christians compel people to a “weird place,” a site where they gather round for singing and praying? The strong sense of community and fellowship among Christians may cause a first time visitor to these gatherings feel a little insecure. Seating perpetually, Christians hear a preacher who jogs their memories of the wrongs they have committed and causes them to feel that they are the most miserable people in the universe. The amusing fact is not only they never quit seeing the same preacher and people again but also they nudge others to join them in their “wretched state.”
Why do Christians Invite people to join them? Apostle John gives us two reasons in his first letter to all believers.
1 John 1: 1-4 reads, “That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we beheld, and our hands handled, concerning the Word of life 2(and the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare unto you the life, the eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us);[1]” that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ: 4and these things we write, that our joy may be made full. [2]”
Christians invite people to their friendliness because the life they have experienced inflames them to share Him with others. Just like a person who attained promotion or one who won the lottery cannot hold back his extreme joy, so Christians cannot keep from declaring their joy about the eternal life they found. John testifies that he and other followers of Christ saw and touched Jesus Christ who is life absolute. They experienced Jesus the life in seeing, hearing His words, and touching Him. Because the life Christians find in relating to Jesus is more than one can ever think they invite people to their assembly and teach about the ever overflowing life that emanates from Jesus. Christians attract anyone they can to reflect the limitless life they obtained because they find nothing that makes them joyful as speaking about Jesus, the everlasting life that breathed upon them(1John 1: 4; Luke 10:17).
Christians invite people into their community because there is God found. The entire New Testament unveils the impracticality of relating to Christ apart from Christ centered Christians. In fact, experiencing Jesus Christ is necessarily explained in relation to corresponding with Christians. John affirms the same concept stating, “that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you also, that ye also may have fellowship with us: yea and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ” The same John testifies that people who refused to welcome Christians do not associate with true believers and ultimately God (1John 3: 19; 3John 9-10). According to John who ever rejects true Christians are characterized by going out of the Christians Fellowship or contesting Christians out of their society( Jn. 9: ). Nevertheless, neither John nor other inspired authors of the Holy Scripture affirm any possibility of communing with God apart from associating with believers who believe and mainly preach about the God-man Jesus Christ.
Are you a Believer? Then it is your job to find true believers and be included in their love bond. Are you trying to follow Christ without other Believers? That is abnormal kind of Christianity; you better test what kind of Christianity you have.
[1] American Standard Version. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. 1 Jn 1:1
[2] American Standard Version. Oak Harbor, WA : Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995, S. 1 Jn 1:3
I saw that you had a blog and was interested to read your thoughts. I really like all of your posts. They adress real issues believers and non-believers alike are facing. I know this post really spoke to me about the commmunion of believers. The church (or body of believers) is a beautiful thing in so many ways. I am so thankful for the believers around me. I don’t know if I could do it without them.
Thanks