Randy Bell
20 Aug 2020

Phase 3 Mature Servant: focus is adding godliness, brotherly kindness and sacrificial love

The Ministry of Reconciliation in the Age of Hate and Rage (audio)

 

We are called to be friends to our neighbors and enemies in a day of rage and hate.

2 Corinthians 1:1-24 (NKJV)
1  Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5  For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.
6  Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.
7  And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.
8  For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
9  Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,
10  who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us,
11  you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.
12  For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you.
13  For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end
14  (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15  And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit–
16  to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea.
17  Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No?
18  But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No.
19  For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us–by me, Silvanus, and Timothy–was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes.
20  For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
21  Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God,
22  who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23  Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth.
24  Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.

2 Corinthians 5:19-20 (NLT2)
19  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.
20  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

Randy Bell
9 Dec 2017

Phase 2 Immature Christian: focus on adding knowledge, self-control, and perseverance to become mature, Phase 3 Mature Servant: focus is adding godliness, brotherly kindness and sacrificial love, Phase 4 Godly Leader: focus on deepening sacrificial love, leading and mentoring

4 Steps To Move From Immaturity to Maturity

If you truly love Jesus Christ and want to grow up and be a mature useful member of God’s kingdom you must make four foundational commitments. These are not in word only, but in wholehearted steps of obedience to God Almighty. They are natural steps of obedience that will transform any Christian to a “good and faithful servant” (phase 3 and 4) instead of a “wicked and lazy servant.”

If you look at our circles diagram you see five concentric circles illustrating our four steps to God’s standard of discipleship maturity.

All of us start as lost sinners and are found in the community or crowd, the outer two circles. In the Bible, Jesus gives the following story: “The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.” [Mark 4:14-20].

As Christians share the Good News with people of the community, some are so close minded [blinded] that they are like a paved road, so hard that they will not even listen or think about the truth of Jesus Christ.

Others have an interest and say they want Christ, but if their friends mock them or trouble and conflict comes their way, they figure Jesus was not really worth it. They go to church for a short time, but quit. Many others [of the crowd] are very interested and may make a commitment to attend church on a regular basis, but their hearts are so enslaved and focused on making money, pleasing themselves and having fun that they don’t really obey Christ, just attend church. This is why we are challenging you, this is not true Christianity.

Only those that really listen, accept, and bear fruit are real. So here is your first commitment, give your life to Christ Jesus. Have you admitted that you are a sinful criminal before. Yes, have you been caught by God’s Word and you know that you have committed the crimes God accused you of.

You are a liar, you know you have lied at least once, right? There are so many crimes you have committed! You broke the Law! Read Exodus 20. Read through a number of New Testament books until your hard heart is crushed and so softened by conviction [convinced of your wrong doing] that you know you need God’s merciful forgiveness. Only then will you be forgiven through Jesus’ sacrifice, because He died in you place. Only when you accept His provision of forgiveness can you make your first commitment.

You must become a born again Christian. Immediately, this changes your relationship from being God’s enemy, to being God’s adopted child. You are now a member of God’s family! Sometimes enemies sneak into churches, even understanding they are missing something. But they will not stay because they are not connected to the church through Jesus and the Holy Spirit that lives inside born again believers. They usually go and create their own church or organization.

Jesus tells his new believers, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” You magnify or glorify God when you clearly do what He commands in the New Testament. And believers must make the family connection!

1/ That is why you need to make your first commitment as a believer and leave the crowd and join the congregation. You must join solidly with a local church, the congregation of the Lord. You must become a responsible family member. You must help with the chores. Help with the children. Help with the responsibilities. You must learn to love your new spiritual family. You must join them because they do not know you yet. You must join them to fulfill God’s will.

2/ Your second commitment as a Christian is when you sincerely commit to grow spiritually. In our baseball diamond that means after you get to first base and start to become an active part of the congregation you start to focus on your maturity.

To really grow up we suggest a four-fold commitment to

1/ group Bible study for the purpose of completely understanding your responsibilities,

2/ group fellowship to practically learn to fulfill your responsibilities,

3/ group communion feasts to keep spiritually pure and healthy,

4/ and group prayer meetings to commune with God.

As a new baby family member you grow from copying and listening to your spiritual elders. As a mature member your example helps the younger develop their skills. And this discipleship training prepares you for the next steps in walking with your Lord Jesus.

3/ Your third foundational commitment is to serve and help others through motivated service to others [core lay minister]. See “Equipped To Serve: Spiritual Grace Gifts, One For Every Believer!” for details.

Jesus teaches in Mark 9:35, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” And Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

We all have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit when we were born again. We receive His gift as He enters us and through spiritual growth it begins to “light” and glow through us. We need to help each other discover this gift and serve others to glorify God.

See Romans 12 to learn of the seven grace gifts. When we speak of ministers we mean servants who serve God and people as God calls. This is a calling to all Christians to bear fruit, and is the true core of leadership. We are not leaders like the world defines authority, because God calls a leader, a “servant of all.” What is left for the core “servant-leader” church members to do?

4/ Finally as core lay ministers, we must commit to the mission Jesus gives all His followers. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

We must fulfill the Great Commission! As we go across the planet supporting each other, we obey the Great commands [Matthew 22] and the Great Commission [Matthew 28]. Your city must feel your presence as a local church (Christians united to obey God) with god-like influence and a vocal call to repent and follow Jesus Christ.

You are now responsible for what you have just learned. You must make the transition from thought to action.

Go and climb the peaks of commitment with all your “heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.”  Mark 12:30

Glorify the Lord and change your world!

Randy Bell
21 Jan 2017

Phase 3 Mature Servant: focus is adding godliness, brotherly kindness and sacrificial love, Step 5: adding all diligence to [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),

Step 5: With All Diligence Add Godliness To Your Steadfastness

“and in [exercising] steadfastness [develop] godliness (piety),” 2 Peter 1:6 (AMP)

Steps 5-7 have everything to do with passion. Step 5 is experiencing a loving passion for God. Then Step 6 creates a passion to love fellow believers. And finally, Step 7 focuses on passion for the lost world around us.

Upon graduation from your final exam, you then stand firm against the testing and temptations of the devil and live in the full power of God inside your spirit, which means, you are now ready to begin Step 5. Yes, now you can claim God’s Word that says “you are strong and vigorous, and the Word of God is [always] abiding in you (in your hearts), and you have been victorious over the wicked one.” [1 John 2:14 AMP] Celebrate and rejoice! No longer are you bouncing in and out of obedience, but instead, you are walking consistently in the Spirit and experiencing the victory over the enemy.

In the natural world, this is understood by completing school, getting your diploma, and beginning your life as an adult. New job or career, stability to live on your own, and taking responsibility for yourself are all ahead of you. Phase three of your spiritual life is true maturity with huge challenges and responsibilities now in your hands.

Spiritually, this means it is time to serve the living God. A servant of God fully and completely dedicates himself to fulfill the will of God. You have learned like a student. But now it is time to act! Like the knights of old, he fights the good fight, as Paul states. At first, you are a rookie and will make rookie mistakes unless you listen carefully to your leaders and spiritual authorities.

Matthew 5:14-16 (AMP)
14  You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
15  Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house.
16  Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.

But let’s start with right foundations. In a word, this means fully embracing true devotion to God. You must be steadfast in your focus to love your Lord! It is time to ignite your passion for the Lord your God.

First let’s look at the word, godliness or piety which is confusing and misunderstood by many. But to truly progress in your spiritual maturity you must fully understand and diligently develop true godliness. The Greek word that is translated godliness “refers to piety, man’s obligation of reverence toward God.” [Bible Knowledge Commentary] This means the core of your being must be filled by “a deep, reverential, religious fear; not only worshipping God with every becoming outward act, but adoring, loving, and magnifying him in the heart…” [Adam Clarke’s Commentary]

But you must clearly understand what the Bible means by worship. This Greek word “is from εὐ, well, and σέβομαι, to worship so that the radical idea is worship rightly directed.”  Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament continues by explaining, “Worship, however, is to be understood in its etymological sense, worth-ship, or reverence paid to worth, whether in God or man… In classical Greek the word is not confined to religion, but means also piety in the fulfilment of human relations …‘The recognition of dependence upon the gods, the confession of human dependence, the tribute of homage which man renders in the certainty that he needs their favor—all this is εὐσέβεια, manifest in conduct and conversation, in sacrifice and prayer’ (Nägelsbach, cited by Cremer). This definition may be almost literally transferred to the Christian word. It embraces the confession of the one living and true God, and life corresponding to this knowledge.”

Everything depends on your heart, no true spiritual life will happen unless you actually and fully love God. A deep passion must burn inside your soul! You may have started your religious interest in selfishness. Maybe you wanted God to solve your problems, give you peace, have a better life, or a myriad of purely self-centered motives. None of these are valid and the sooner you see that this is hypocrisy the better. Everything and I mean everything hinges on this truth… “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'” [Matt 22:37 (NKJV)]

Is God worth your devotion and love? Do you passionately LOVE God?

Self-dependence and self-reliance are the wicked sins of pride. God resists the proud. But godliness is the complete reliance upon the supernatural guidance, grace, and power of the living God. He is everything to you, and more important than your life, wife, children, job, reputation, and self-respect. There must be a complete and total abandonment of everything that you are and have, by surrendering yourself to His control.

You live only for GOD! He is your all-consuming passion. Everything else you do and say is by His command because this proves you see His worth. What He says in a matter is more valuable than anyone else’s opinion. His wisdom exceeds the experts in any field of science or philosophy. His directions on where you live, who you marry, your future plans, your family choices, and what you do with your money and time are all given up to Him.

Let me prove it.

Our Lord showed us to follow Him in this narrow way of life because He lived it. “I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.” [John 12:49-50 (NLT)]

Absolute obedience to the Words and divine guidance of the Father was the one and only thing that Jesus followed. He did not deviate from the Father’s directions. “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does.” [John 5:19-20 (NKJV)]

To add godliness to your life you must make strong and clear choices. You must stop adding your ideas, dreams, wisdom, rational reasoning, and practical applications for your life. Shave down your words and actions to fully comply with His Words! Do not add to His words. Learn to anchor yourself on His instructions. When you ignore His direct commands and call it grace, even when you say you are serving him, you have entered into a dark and broad road of false faith.

BUT JESUS DID MAKE CLEAR CHOICES AND CALLS YOU TO FOLLOW HIM!

The Lord Jesus proclaimed, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” [Matt 10:34-39 (NKJV)]

Remember, Christ was not popular in His country. The community of Jews tried to assassinate Him (Luke 4:28-30). His words were rejected by the majority of His followers (John 6:66).  Religious leaders and the vast majority wanted him crucified. He warned us, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” [Matt 5:11-12 (NKJV)] It takes real love to stick to the unpopular and hated leader in town, but the first apostles proved their devotion to Jesus.

The Kingdom of God must consume you. Your prayer must be, “Your kingdom come, your will be done.” Yes, Christ must be your king, your LORD! “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” [Luke 14:26-27, 33 (NKJV)] A captured slave would resent these words, but a person wholly in love with God will welcome and embrace these words with joy.

Do you love God enough to actually worship Him?

START WITH A PERSONAL CEREMONY WITH GOD

1/ Like a wedding ceremony, willfully proclaim your love for God and become a true disciple. In marriage, you forsake all others and devote yourself only to your mate. Your life from the day of your wedding is forever changed to “we” and no longer “me.” All other relationships drop to secondary status. You build a life and future together. In the same fashion, present your absolute devotion to the Lord Jesus because He is worth leaving everything to follow Him. Give Him all your heart! Do everything in your power to love him with all your mind and strength.

2/ Like the honeymoon, decisively give your body to the Lord. The apostle Paul explains it by saying, “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” [Romans 12:1 (AMP)]

3/ With every ounce of your strength deepen your relationship by lovingly offering your body every day and hour as a continual sacrifice of total worship and service to Him alone. Remember everyone has a job, they also did so in Jesus’ day. This does not negate this priority of godliness. Our Lord calls us to really love Him passionately. “If you love Me, keep my commandments.”

You must understand that true worship is not singing a few religious songs that you like but diligently giving your life in sacrificial service for your Lord every day. “Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. 29 For our God is a devouring fire.” [Heb 12:28-29 (NLT])

4/ Allow your thinking and life to be consumed with God’s word, God’s ways, God’s ideals, God’s attitudes, and His will. Allow God to fully change you in every way. “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” [Romans 12:1-2 (AMP)]

Remember “perfect” means complete and finished. Press forward allowing God full control of your life, and full access to your mind and heart. Devote yourself to His strength until you find rest by fully depending on your God. Passionately live as a light for the world to see so that God receives the glory.

Once you come to the place that you really love God more than anyone or anything on this planet, you will finally be able to move to the next step of maturity. Only when you become a true worshiper of the Lord, will you be able to add selfless brotherly kindness to your lifestyle.

But for now, focus on exercising your steadfastness and adding godliness to your life.

Randy Bell
21 Jan 2017

Phase 3 Mature Servant: focus is adding godliness, brotherly kindness and sacrificial love, Step 6: adding your diligence to [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection

Step 6: With All Diligence Add Brotherly Kindness To Your Godliness

“And in [exercising] godliness [develop] brotherly affection…” [2 Peter 1:7 AMP]

Steps 5-7 have everything to do with passion. Step 5 is experiencing a loving passion for God. Then Step 6 creates a passion to love fellow believers. And finally, Step 7 focuses on passionate love for the lost world around us.

As you mature, true, deep change grips your heart and soul. God’s passion and love bleeds through your soul. As John explains in 1 John 2:14, once you have a relationship with God that can be described by these words, “you have known Him…”, you find this deep and personal connection profoundly alters your spiritual DNA. Like spiritual fathers, mothers and grandparents, the third [mature]and fourth [teacher] phases of your spiritual journey floods your life with Christlike passion for others.

Godliness is rare in America, and from the polling and experiences of people, it seems to be rare in the local church. Not all the accusations are true, obviously, they were all false as they attacked Christ, but enough evidence points to this reality today to conclude that we are suffering from the vacuum of godlessness.

Less than 35% of Americans even attend church on any weekend. So, before you hope to travel in this narrow road of “fraternal affection,” we will have to see the “Christian” critics and quitters come back to church consistently and prove they have “brotherly love (kindness).” This cannot be you.

Divorcing from your fellow believers, and claiming the local church does not meet your needs, proves John’s warnings. “Those who say that they are in the light but hate other believers are still in the dark. [10] Those who love other believers live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light. [11] Those who hate other believers are in the dark and live in the dark. They don’t know where they’re going, because they can’t see in the dark.” [1 John 2:9-11 GW]

John spells it out for us. “They left us, but they were never really with us. If they had been, they would have stuck it out with us, loyal to the end. In leaving, they showed their true colors, showed they never did belong.” [1 John 2:19 from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.]

Remember, John explains, “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. [6] If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Darkness is clearly Satan and His domain.

Ephesians 6:12

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Col. 1:13

“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

1 Thes. 5:4-5

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. [5] Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.”

The excuses for staying away from weekend church gatherings are endless and sickening. But the fact is, anybody who loves sports proves it by how he lives and supports his team. On the weekends and day off, he puts off chores and family to watch the game. Or she sneaks to the gym for dance, exercise, and tennis. People spend many hours doing what they really want and love, and ignore what they hate.

The Greek word is “to detest (especially to persecute); by extension to love less :- hate (-ful).” To love football more than joining the Christian team at a local church gathering, is loving “religion” less. It is loving your Christian brother LESS! And this is the point, whether people are willing to admit the word “hate” or “detest” for what they feel about the church. There is no love, that’s for sure. Anyone in this state, is in darkness, and not a Christian, whether they protest my words or not!

It Takes a Godly Person to Love Other Christians

So the whole concept of this step is clear,  it takes a god-like person to love people in close quarters who are not your children or relatives. It takes a commitment of kindness to put up with people’s flaws and weaknesses, their cultural differences, and their immature attitudes and actions. Parents do this with their kids, but many Christians refuse to see that some fellow believers are spiritual babies or children.

If you are a spiritual child you want to think of yourself and not others. To only focus on getting spiritually fed and supported is selfish and childlike. Conflict and problems always follow children, and if you are a parent you know this. Read 1 Corinthians and see how much trouble an immature church can get into. But mature, godly people find the Lord enlarging their hearts to be kind to their Christian family no matter what.

And this brotherly kindness does not come easily, it takes a lot of forgiveness, patience, and a whole lot of godliness to develop true brotherly love for the people who make up a local congregation of the church. This is why Peter says to exercise [use] your godliness to develop brotherly kindness. This is not an easy step for anyone. It takes diligence and willpower to love Christians that are not likable.

And remember this, we are not led to believe that you receive a membership card from heaven, making you a member of the large international group called the “Church” in some kind of abstract way, ignoring the real world of a local church of Christians.

You are not free from being joined to the team of a hard working group of local people, “the called out ones” of your city. For example, you cannot be an NFL player, unless you are a member of a local NFL team. Once you are off the local team, you may be qualified, but unless another team picks you up, you are retired and just a fan. God has no fans, He only has players called disciples.

You must take a position on a team and take on the responsibility of helping your team members accomplish the goals God gives. Also you must encourage and help fellow members develop their skills which makes your team stronger. And you most definitely must learn to work together for the good of the Kingdom.

Take the first church as the pattern. Acts chapter two describes the powerful start of the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Three thousand believed the words of Peter, left their circle of friends and united into a brand new community of people who also were committed to Jesus. They did not just believe in their heads, go back to the way they lived, and expect to go to heaven. Repentance demanded a total, revolutionary change of direction and life immediately.

Here is the Word, “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.’”

“And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.

“46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

True salvation brings radical change and a new allegiance that is supernaturally imprinted inside a new Christian. “And they continued steadfastly” is based on a Greek word with powerful meaning. It covers these actions, “to be earnest towards, i.e. (to a thing) to persevere, be constantly diligent, or (in a place) to attend assiduously all the exercises, or (to a person) to adhere closely to (as a servitor) :- attend (give self) continually (upon), continue (in, instant in, with), wait on (continually).”

The Acts record reveals the instantaneous reversal of three thousand people from their old lifestyle and the cementing of a new “team” of furiously committed people to Christ and each other. Their love bonded them into a strong and unbreakable fellowship. They went to extremes in their care for and support of each other, even though many just met! Obviously, the core leaders, were with Jesus about three years, but the heart of God’s care was created inside these new disciples very quickly.

And we too are ordered to focus and keep the family together just like they did so long ago. “Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart…” [1 Peter 1:22 NKJV] And repeated again “Continue to love each other.” [Hebrews 13:1 GW]

The Godly Serve and Help Others Through Brotherly Love

But, the work comes after the initial excitement of new life and the supernatural grace that surges inside the young Christian. Mature believers must work hard to keep the unity of the team by nurturing the babes and immature in Christ, being examples of patience and love, and leading in the purposes and work of God.

Paul challenges believers to be diligent and work hard at this. “Through the peace that ties you together, do your best to maintain the unity that the Spirit gives… This is to continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge about God’s Son, until we become mature, until we measure up to Christ, who is the standard.” [Ephes. 4:3, 13 GW]

Peter adds, “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.” [1 Peter 3:8,9 NKJV]

After holding to the conviction that it is God’s will, we unite and love as brothers, and the next step is actually developing brotherly affection for the saints. Remember the Lord taught, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” [Matthew 6:2] This means investing in your spiritual family, by focusing on serving and helping them in the faith, their value will grow in your heart.

This is how we are instructed to accomplish this change of heart. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.”

The more you intentionally invest in your Christian brothers, the more you will cherish them! The full depth of this exciting spiritual step is that you become consumed with the growth and blessing of your fellow believers. They are more important to you than anything of this world. If you think of sports, it would be like being a player-coach.

“So those of us who have a strong {faith} must be patient with the weaknesses of those whose {faith} is not so strong. We must not think only of ourselves. [2] We should all be concerned about our neighbor and the good things that will build his faith. [3] Christ did not think only of himself. Rather, as Scripture says, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” [4] Everything written long ago was written to teach us so that we would have confidence through the endurance and encouragement which the Scriptures give us. [5] May God, who gives you this endurance and encouragement, allow you to live in harmony with each other by following the example of Christ Jesus. [6] Then, having the same goal, you will praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. [7] Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God.” [Romans 15:1-7 GW]

“Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups. I want you to be united in your understanding and opinions.” [1 Cor. 1:10 GW] Therefore, you must know the tricks and traps of the devil. “False prophets were among God’s people {in the past}, as false teachers will be among you. They will secretly bring in their own destructive teachings. They will deny [contradict] the Lord, who has bought them, and they will bring themselves swift destruction.” [2 Peter 2:1 GW]

Now before you get false ideas, I want to make sure you understand that unity and harmony does not mean compromise and acceptance of false doctrine or evil practices. The early church was united and devoted to the apostles’ doctrine. To keep the unity of all for the sake of maturing them to be like Christ demands that the church will have to remove false Christians from their team.

God’s word instruct us, “Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people.” [1 Cor. 5:11 GW] “Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away {from the Christian faith} by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them.” [Romans 16:17 GW]

Don’t be confused here! It is loving and kind to stop children from hurting themselves or someone else. It is also normal to protect children. And parents always correct and guide their children. This is the power and importance of Christian fellowship. God established the positions of mature church leaders: missionaries, evangelists, preachers, teachers and pastors to guide and protect the infants and immature from themselves and the devil. Like shepherds of old they are raised up to supervise the fulfillment of all these things: the unity and fellowship of the team, the maturing and strengthening of the team, and the safety and protection of the team.

Fellowship is living out brotherly kindness through the powerful bond of the passionate love of God. “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

7 But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.)

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. [Ephesians 4:1-16 NKJV]

So What is Necessary For You to Achieve Step 6?

1/ Decide that the church, yes, the organized church with spiritual leaders, is God’s church. Yes there are false teachers and false cults and movements. So be careful and find God’s people. It does not matter what you like, it matters who they are. If you have divided yourself from them you are in error and resistant to God’s authority. Humble yourself and repent, and quickly find a local congregation of Christians that follow the clear teaching of the Bible, and submit to the pastor’s authority.

2/ Then commit yourself to the work of the ministry of fellowship. And be clear, fellowship is living the “one another commands” within the local church of the New Testament. This is the only way to develop brotherly affection, diligently exercising your passion for God by loving the people He loves deeply, His family, which now is your eternal family.

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