Just Wondering

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     It seems to me some of the rebuttal to the articles on fellowship has been penned in a radical manner, without much thought of love. It is disturbing that Christians will misconstrue the thoughts and opinions of others, thus creating bitterness, and in the end more division. This will continue until all baptized believers come together in love for one another, without the bickering so prevalent today.

     Paul began his Corinthian epistle: "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus." Later he states it was common knowledge that a fornicator was in their midst. All Christians know that fornication is a sin and sin is a transgression of the law. I have been wondering if some of the saints at Corinth had attended worship services at Ephesus, would they have been fellowshipped there? I do not believe they would have been disfellowshipped at Ephesus, nor do I believe Paul would have started his letter as he did, if they were to be rejected. But our reason today for not fellowshipping some people is because we know (or think) that the church where they are members is transgressing the law of God. One can come amongst us from one congregation or town and be accepted, another who comes from another congregation or town will be rejected.

     I know of no scriptural authority for making the place of residence a test of fellowship. Sin is transgression, regardless of what kind of sin it is and the town in which it is committed, be it Corinth, St. Louis, or anywhere else. But as Paul recognized those in Corinth who were sanctified, I believe there are many sanctified persons in congregations today who are being denied fellowship. Often we hear 2 John 10, "If there come any unto you and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed," used as a reason for not fellowshipping brethren. Used this way the verse is taken out of context. Interpreted as it is by many, the only person entering the house to whom we could offer greeting, would be ourself. John was writing concerning those who denied that Jesus had come in the flesh.

     The goal of all Christians is a home in heaven. One of the conditions required to reach it is that we fellowship one another, humble ourselves before one another, and love one another. Paul told the Romans, "I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that we also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another." Perhaps some whom we reject might be able to admonish us if we allowed them the privilege. We must abandon the notion, "I am right on everything, you are wrong on everything." Just as Jesus prayed to his Father, so our prayer should be that all Christians might be one. Unity can be accomplished if we will but work at it. --Dale Sumpter.