Fellowship?

Yes, there is an interrogation point after this title, for we are interested in making you think about the word, and want you to ask yourself if you have any Christian fellowship. If you begin to think about the number of faithful Christians you know, and the good times you have had together, you have brought yourself to the place of vulnerability, and are wide open to the thrust we wish to make into your complacency.

A young Christian was talking about the parties, picnics, bowling contests, and other amusements that a group of splendid Christians have in common. He said, "All of them are born again. All of them have a witness. All of them are known in their secular circles of business as Christians. But I have noticed that what they call fellowship seems to be a group vacation from the Lord. If, in the midst of a conversation, the Lord is mentioned, there is a momentary pause, a hard moment, as though there is a conscious shifting of gears, and an adjustment has to be made." Yet most of the group would probably describe their encounter, whether they had been listening to records, swimming, or stopping at the soda fountain for some refreshments after a meeting, as good Christian fellowship.

Is it not true that such associations should be called, rather, the secular fellowship of Christians? It has its distinct place and is very important in the lives of young Christians, for the Lord has created our social nature as well as our spiritual nature. But there is danger of losing the spiritual fellowship by thinking that our social fellowship is the climax of all fellowship. It is possible for Christians to order their lives in such a way that the group association becomes the end instead of the by-product.

If there is an uneasiness at the sudden, natural, mention of the Lord after listening to a concert or between innings in a softball game, there is something out of focus. There would be no uneasiness if someone said, "I ran across an interesting anecdote about Napoleon . . ." Then why should there be if someone said, "I read a most interesting verse this morning that I had never seen before. The Lord .."Let us not lose the most wonderful fellowship of all, and the eternal blessing that accompanies the casual speaking and thinking of the Lord.

1. Is it true that Christians try to live the dichotomous life that Dr. Barnhouse is talking about?
2. If so, what are some areas in your life where you do what Dr. Barnhouse is describing?
3. How does a Christian confront this type of sin?