LEARNING TO LOVE GOD'S FAMILY TODAY

During a sermon, a brother once said, “If we do not enjoy fellowship now, we will not enjoy it in heaven.”. This statement captures an important truth: as Christians, we look forward to the joy of heaven - a place of perfect peace, worship, and fellowship. But Scripture gently reminds us that our experience of heaven is shaped by the lives we live today. If we struggle to enjoy the fellowship of believers now, we may not be preparing our hearts for the eternal fellowship that awaits us.

Revelation 7:9 (NKJV): “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number… standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”

Heaven is not an individual escape, rather, it is described as a multitude gathered before God. It is a shared place of worship and unity. If we do not enjoy fellowship now, how will we enjoy an eternity surrounded by God’s people?

John 13:35 (NKJV): “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Christ made fellowship and love the defining mark of His disciples. This command is for today, not for some distant time. Spending meaningful time with fellow believers is an essential part of obeying Jesus now.

Acts 2:46–47 (NKJV): “So continuing daily with one accord… and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God…”

The early Christians did not wait for heaven to experience the joy of spiritual family. Their fellowship on earth was a foretaste of the heavenly community to come.

1 Samuel 18:1 (NKJV): “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.”

David and Jonathan shared one of the deepest, most loyal, and spiritually grounded friendships recorded in the Bible. This describes deep loyalty and spiritual unity. They also made a covenant to support and protect each other (1 Samuel 18:3–4).

Mark 3:14 (NKJV): “Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach.”

Christ Himself chose to live in the community - eating, travelling, teaching and praying with His disciples. The Son of God modelled fellowship, showing us that Christian community is essential.

Every church gathering, prayer meeting and simple conversation with a brother or sister is practice for our eternal life together. We are not called to tolerate each other until heaven. We are called to love each other deeply, sincerely, and joyfully.

If we do not delight in Christian fellowship now, we will not suddenly delight in it in heaven. God is shaping us today to enjoy the family we will live with forever. So, brethren, let us begin now - loving, forgiving, serving, laughing, sharing and worshipping together. As the year 2025 comes to an end, may we choose to love deeper, draw nearer, and treasure one another more, so that in the year ahead, our fellowship becomes an even clearer glimpse of heaven.

Ask Yourself:

1. How will people know that we are followers of Christ?

2. What did the early Christians do after they were added to the church in Acts 2?

3. How may I draw closer to brethren and God in 2026?

Suggested Answers:

1. When we have love for one another just as Christ told His apostles to do (John 13:35).

2. They continued steadfastly in learning God’s word,  worship (Acts 2:42) and had fellowship with the brethren on a daily basis (Acts 2:46).

3. You may discuss this with brethren whom you are closer with.