The Hindrances
aka Community part 3
We have a hard time defining an “ideal Christian fellowhip” because we recognise that this world is a mess. It has been ingrained in our minds that we can not obtain “perfection”…it is impossible (at least this on this side of life). What hinders us from having deep, honest, trusting fellowship? The Fall? The fact that sin entered the world and marred everything that was good. The world is not as it should be therefore our relationships are not what they were meant to be.
It is true…but it is such a broad sweeping statement. Is it possible to go deeper? What hinders good fellowship? I realise as I ask this it might be painful, because I must look in the mirror to see what keeps me from reaching out in love.
The great hindrances are: my own fears. Fear hinders me back from trusting. Fear to impress hinders me from admitting weaknesses and areas I struggle in. Fear keeps me from reaching out to others because it is a risk; there is a chance that I could be hurt. The heart of all my fears is selfishness. What do you think are the greatest hindrances…or could add?
We have a hard time defining an “ideal Christian fellowhip” because we recognise that this world is a mess. It has been ingrained in our minds that we can not obtain “perfection”…it is impossible (at least this on this side of life). What hinders us from having deep, honest, trusting fellowship? The Fall? The fact that sin entered the world and marred everything that was good. The world is not as it should be therefore our relationships are not what they were meant to be.
It is true…but it is such a broad sweeping statement. Is it possible to go deeper? What hinders good fellowship? I realise as I ask this it might be painful, because I must look in the mirror to see what keeps me from reaching out in love.
The great hindrances are: my own fears. Fear hinders me back from trusting. Fear to impress hinders me from admitting weaknesses and areas I struggle in. Fear keeps me from reaching out to others because it is a risk; there is a chance that I could be hurt. The heart of all my fears is selfishness. What do you think are the greatest hindrances…or could add?
Comments
I think something that keeps people from reaching out sometimes is simply time and energy. These are limited resources, and maybe we don't have enough of either to continuously be reaching out. Or maybe our priorities are just whacked.
I do think it's possible to have true genuine community - even if it is just one sided. I guess what I'm saying is that we can offer true genuine community. We can get ourselves out of the picture of we choose. Other's have done it - it's not an impossible act, just one that brings us discomfort and all those other things that in our pride we try desperately to avoid
The leaven of the Pharisees- (Luke 12:1) This was hypocrisy. Hypocrisy destroys fellowship. It stops a church from growing and creates an atmosphere of mistrust.
The leaven of the Sadducees- (Matthew 16:6-12) This was doubt. More specifically doubting God's realness and ability. Spiritual doubt destroys fellowship because it slows movement and stagnet churches break apart.
The leaven of Herod- (Mark 8:15) This was greed. Selfishness breaks down fellowship. Power and wealth becomes the goal instead of love and unity.
The leaven of the law- (Galatians 5:1-9). Legalism destroys fellowship because it limits freedom. It destroys openness by focusing on the external instead of the internal.
The old leaven- (1 Corinthians 5:1-8) This is immorality. Sin in the church destroys fellowship too. Sin always breaks people apart.
God warned us to beware of these things that break up fellowship and destroy the ideal christian community
Which was pretty much exactly what was going on in the early chapters of Acts.