Christian Togetherness

by Bud Lambert

The first century church spent a great deal of time together: "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking bread, and in prayers. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people" ( Acts 2:42, 44, 46-47). Christians must take time to associate with other Christians.

One biblical reason Christians must spend time with each other is so we can truly love one another. God commands us to love one another ( I John 3:16; 4:7ff). To love as God wants us to, we must look beyond our own needs to the needs of others and help each other with our needs ( I Corinthians 13:1-8; I John 3:17, 18). If we don't spend time with each other, we can't really know each others needs, much less help each other.

Another biblical reason is so we don't become corrupted by the world. People influence people. Paul describes this principle as "leaven" ( I Corinthians 5:6). If we spend more time with people of the world, than with people of God, we will be influenced to live like the world. If we scoff in disbelief of this truth, we are deceiving ourselves and setting ourselves up to sin. Paul instructs, "Don't be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" ( I Corinthians 15:33).

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another�and all the more as you see the day approaching" ( Hebrews 10:34).