Which leads us to this important thought—in order to grow spiritually, the environment of other believers is the ideal growing climate. That is not to say that in forced situations a lone Christian could not grow, because he can. But it means that God did not intend the Christian life to be lived alone. He places each believer in a social network called His body or the church, and there is to be a mutual nutrition from each other.

If God designed the body to thus work, how can you devise a way around? You cannot! Relationships have to be cultivated. You must go beyond acquaintances and develop deep and lasting ties.

Countless are the times I have seen Christians begin to isolate themselves from their brothers and sisters and before long they were in dire need. Christian fellowship is as necessary to spiritual well-being as food is to physical well-being.

 

Reach Out to Others in Service.

On the same note, fellowship must extend beyond social interaction and have the objective to minister to the needs of others. If injury occurs to the human body, the healing force of the body begins to supply restoration to the injured body part. So the body of Christ operates in a similar manner. The Apostle Paul instructs the church at Ephesus: