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Word from Scotland
by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 9, we learn just how vitally important friends are. Some are named and others remain unnamed, but each played his part.
Saul of Tarsus joins The Christian Fellowship. This is an important principle. From the very beginning Saul is committed to The Church of Jesus Christ. He was a physical visible member. Wherever he goes over the next 30 years, Paul (as he was later called) is committed to The Church, which is The Body of Christ. No matter what city or community he goes to, we see this vital principle. Now this is not widely taught.
From the first outpouring of The Holy Spirit in Acts 2, this becomes axiomatic. We have seen how we so need Christian friends and that is why Jesus places us in fellowships - "all the fellows in the one ship" - with all their weaknesses and strengths.
If satan can divide The Church he has dealt a blow to the greatest evangelistic tool the Church has. This lies at the heart of The Lord's Prayer in John 17:20-23. When we come to Jesus, we are designed to be part of a fellowship. We are a new creation and intended to find our place as members of The Body.
When we are designed to be part of a group, and we are not a belonging member of that group, that is ultimate loneliness. It is not a matter of, "Will I go or, do I have to go?" No! When you are committed to Jesus Christ, you cannot stay away. You belong, and you do not want to miss what Jesus might say, or in case you miss the opportunity to serve and contribute. There are some things we don't need to wonder about or consider. They are already determined.
Saul was not only committed to Jesus Christ, but he was also committed to all the others who belonged to Jesus Christ. This is the pattern which God sets before us. Never did The Church ever suggest otherwise, and this remains unchanged.
Make sure you are a reliable, dependable, physical, visible member of the Church, the Body of Christ, in your community and be known for loving all the others with the love of Christ, and shining for Jesus.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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