V___ wrote:

Hello, I have a question about assembly with like believers. How do I assemble with someone, when there is no one that believes like I do in my area? I don’t go to church with my husband anymore.  I haven’t for some time now.  He has accepted this fact and doesn’t harp at me.   I love him, but I am missing fellowship.  I have no close friend (physical that is).  So…. what does a person do?  I would like to go to one of these conference you guys hold, but money and timing is not right, right now.  If you’re ever going to be in St. Louis area or Kansas City, sure like to know. So  what about this assembly thing?

V____

Hi V,

Your question about assembling is a common one as it seems most of the body of Christ, upon coming out of Babylon, endure a lonely walk.  From what I have seen and heard meeting believers at these little conferences, we are a rarity.  Many believers are enduring the hardship of trying to live a godly life in Christ Jesus without benefit of anyone else in their day-to-day life with whom they can share this wonderful joy into which God has brought us.  Before answering your email, I looked up a few scriptures on the subject.

1Jn 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, w e have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1Jn 1:3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24  And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25  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.

I saw right away that as long as our walk is ‘in the light’ we do have fellowship with each other. As the marriage relationship shows us, Christ is our head…

1Co 11:3  But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

… and we are His body.

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

While the face-to-face fellowship is a wonderful and beautiful thing to enjoy, no one need ever feel they are inferior to anyone else in the body of Christ just because they cannot afford the money or time to attend.  When each of us, as 1 John 1:7 shows above, are ‘enduring to the end’, ‘walking in the light’, treating each and every one we meet as we would treat Christ, we are part of the body of Christ and we do enjoy fellowship with Him and God the Father. That’s where fellowship starts. [Update: we now have meetings by Zoom every day or evening which are a wonderful way to share fellowship and bible study. Just visit the home page to see the list.]

Mat 25:40  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

The nice thing about living in these times is the instant and near instant contact we can have with each other no matter what the distance between us and other parts of Christ’s ‘body.’  If ever you have a question or just need to have a chance to connect with someone else striving to live in Christ, we are just an email or phone call away.  If you ever just need to talk, we have unlimited long distance and would love the opportunity to talk with you.  I know if your husband is not believing as you do, there may resentment, so that would be up to you.  You say he doesn’t harp at you, and that is a good thing.  Not every woman in the body of Christ has a husband so tolerant, but some must endure jeering, name calling and at times, even physical abuse for their beliefs. I thank God for His drawing you to Him and giving you the strength to be steadfast.

Heb 13:3  Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

3Jn 1:4  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

2Jn 1:6  And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

Let me hear how you are doing, and know you are loved by the spirit of Christ abiding in many people even though they have not had the pleasure to meet you yet.

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Who knows (only God) if your example will be the instrument to draw your husband.

1Co 7:16  For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?…

Take heart.  Remember our Savior lived in the flesh for 33 years and never once had fellowship with a converted person.  It did not hinder His relationship with His heavenly Father! So don’t sell being ‘just’ one person short.

Mike