Faith and Fellowship

In our individualistic culture, the book of Hebrews reminds us that the unity we share as followers of Jesus Christ is an essential necessity for our journey of faith. Here are a few examples:

But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. (Hebrews 4:2)

And all these, though commended though their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. (Hebrews 11:39, 40)

The above passage (11:40) implies that we also have fellowship with the saints that have gone before us.

Hebrews 12:1, exhorts us, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely...

We are presently surrounded by this "fellowship" of saints (past and present) which motivates us to press on, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.