Lunch with a Dear Friend - Joy of Christian Fellowship

By Douglas V. Gibbs

I called a good friend a couple weeks ago to see how he was doing.  After the loss of my dear friend Paul, it was nice to reconnect with another Christian friend through whom a few times I have experienced the joy of Christian fellowship.  It had been a long time since this friend and I have talked.  Today, he called me, and we decided to get together for lunch in Temecula.  The lunch was wonderful, and it was nice for both of us to just enjoy the company of a good friend.  I told him that my phone is with me at all times, and he is welcome to call whenever he wants.  He was appreciative.

The number of acquaintances I have is a large number.  The number of folks I consider a friend is a little smaller.  The number of people I consider to be dear friends is few.  Friendship is a special relationship, especially when one finds a friend who shares one's faith in Christ.  The time of fellowship is a wonderful time, and as I told the attendees of the funeral service for my dear friend Paul yesterday, the joy of Christian fellowship is the closest we get to Heaven in this life.

As friends we feel we can confide in each other, console each other, and minister to each other.  With Paul I was being discipled, but now my training wheels are off, and it is my turn to be as bold about my Faith in Christ as Paul was.  We must also, as Christians, recognize when fellowship is an opportunity to disciple, and when it is simply a time for fellowship. Today was simply a time to fellowship. . . to enjoy the joy of fellowship with a friend - a dear friend, who is always in my prayers, and my thoughts.

Friendship is a special thing, and the Lord wishes our friendships to be special, and for us to remember that when it is a gathering of two or more in His Name, He is surely with us.

Blessings,

Douglas V. Gibbs