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Why Belong To A Local Church? - Part 5

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13

Here are two more great benefits of belonging to a local church: 1) We find sympathy! Sympathy isn't giving advice or offering quick cosmetic help. It's entering into the pain of others. Sympathy says, "I understand what you're going through and what you feel is neither strange, unique, nor crazy." Sympathy meets two fundamental needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. We're in such a hurry to "fix" things that we don't take time to listen and empathize with people. Self-pity and focusing exclusively on our own goals, dries up sympathy for others. It's when circumstances crush them that our friends need us the most. In the midst of his suffering, Job cried out, "A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends" (Job 6:14). 2) We experience mercy! Fellowship is a place of grace where mistakes are rubbed out, not rubbed in. It happens when mercy wins out over judgment. We all need mercy because we stumble and need help getting back on track. So we need to offer mercy and be willing to receive it! God says, "When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair" (2 Corinthians 2:7). It takes massive amounts of grace to create and maintain true fellowship. Why? Because we're imperfect and we'll inevitably keep hurting each other. But you'll never be asked to extend more grace to others than God has extended to you.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me show Your grace and Your mercy to others. Help me walk beside them when they are hurting. In Jesus' Name, Amen