Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,
as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1
In the New Testament, there were many communities who valued sharing
and gathering together with God’s people out of like-mindedness.
We might have some similarities in our modern-day churches
as we fellowship and have relationships with those who love Jesus.
The churches in other countries, especially where there is severe persecution,
have what seem to be more intimate bonds with fellow believers.
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men,
as every man had need. Acts 2:44-45
They really need each other, to glean from each other
and help strengthen each other
because they might not be able to stand for Christ without each other.
While we might be able to grow in Christ in the USA,
our culture is very individualistic and selfish and materialistic
compared to countries who share more and are more giving and accepting.
Considering this in a general sense for our country and its values, of course,
there are those who might be falling in line with God’s best
for how we treat and love our fellow believers in spite of our culture.
When God is encouraging us to be with fellow believers,
is God talking about peer pressure here?
Not exactly, but you are what you eat.
In other words, we likely become like those people we value and join hearts with.
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21
It is similar to when God told His people not to marry foreign wives.
There are many warnings in the Old and New Testaments
that teach us not to yoke with those who do not know and serve the Lord.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers:
for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?
and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14
The cautions of mixing with darkness in The Bible are many and throughout.
Jesus does not want us to partner spiritually with those who detest Him.
On the contrary, He also encourages us to mingle with His people,
those who have chosen to follow Him, those who serve Him.
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord,
whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land,
and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;
And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons,
and their daughters go a whoring after their gods,
and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
Thou shalt make thee no molten gods. Exodus 34:14-17
Persecution is coming.
Persecution will be a driving force to create a more perfect unity of believers
and for believers to realize the importance of putting off things
that are unimportant and to be able to come together in a greater way.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day;
lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13
Note:
I think it’s important to mention this exchange with God years ago.
The Holy Spirit can teach you about the scriptures, but I won’t go into them.
I was concerned, specifically about the scriptures in Acts where all the believers shared and I knew what happened to Ananias and Shapira.
I said to the Lord, I am so selfish. (And He knew in that was my concern about them getting struck dead.)
Jesus responded: Ananias and Shapira did not die because they were selfish,
they died because they lied to the Holy Ghost.
Meanwhile, Jesus knew my other concern.
That did not need to be said or asked about because He already knew my heart.
I wanted Jesus to help me not to be so selfish.
He’s still working on that but I can say, I’m better than I was.