Years ago when BMW cars were referred to as British what? those of us who
owned one would dip our lights when meeting another. Much like bikers wave to
each other, it was show of brotherhood, of unity, of sameness, that I am like
you, and that we are a special minority. Of course things are changed since
then, as no yuppie would dare lower himself to wave to another, let alone
detract from their i-pod for a second and miss a text about how wonderful they
are. Many times I too find myself not waving back, or waving at all to a fellow
rider, it seems the newbies don’t get it, they are just trying to look cool and
hang on, but the older guys, those of us who still remember being the bad guys,
still wave, no matter the brand. With a few exceptions..
One day Glen and I, he the ultimate lifestyle Harley rider, changed bikes,
he wanted to ride a sportsbike, so I let him ride up the freeway on my Sprint
RS, while I patiently gave chase on his Ultra-something, when he came upon a
1%er along the road. He slowed and stopped, the guy waved him on. I slowed and
stopped, engaged him in conversation, he thanked me for stopping, but he had
help coming. He had just looked at the bikes, not the rider, and boy had he
ever misjudged us. Glen who loved Harleys, me who tolerates them. We later
laughed about it, but how many times has a black leather jacket prejudiced you?
Or seen a group of riders and thought outlaws? Or seen a bimbo and thought
yuppie? Or even thought at all? Seems we all belong to one club or another,
but what separates us one from another? What makes each club, group, church,
gang, or pair different? Unique?
A man once told of his fellow shipmates in the Navy defined fellowship as
two fellows on a ship. Fellowship is what defines us, and can divide us to.
But in Christ in unifies us. It is only religion that separates us, that is so
prideful as to say “my church is better. My denomination is the only one. My
interpretation of the Bible is the real one, the rest of you are led astray.”
And then add rules, regulations, and objectives to be saved, and then pass a
test of membership to belong. Not at all how God intended it, or how his real
church of believers is to act. Today the church is big on relationships, which
needs to start with Jesus Christ. Beyond religion, he came to change the rules
and establish love. While many consider church the same as God, the truth is
God is God, and we are the church. While so many call themselves Christians,
based on membership or attendance, Jesus has another criteria, one of the heart,
not of the outward, but of the inward. A recognition of him as deity, as the
only way of salvation, and the only way to be forgiven. Something no man can
do! He had to be both God and man to do it, Jesus is the only way. But if your
fellowship has become just because you are two guys in the same church, same
ship, same club, or same brand, you are missing out on the experience. For the
spirit calls us to fellowship with Jesus, and no study, church service, or
teaching can substitute for time spent with Jesus, in the spirit. For God is a
spirit, and must be worshipped as such. His words, not mine. Yet too many
times we fall short, and think fellowship is just time spent with other
believers, when Jesus shows us it is much more than that.
A relationship with Jesus gets us into the church, into the club. But it
is fellowship, the experience of Jesus in our daily lives, that defines us as
Christians. That is what makes us different than Sunday pew fillers, than
churches based on membership, or on what they believe contrary to scripture. It
is what the cults portray but cannot deliver, because it is based on personal
fellowship with Jesus Christ. It is spirit driven, and you cannot have true
fellowship with God without Jesus. Just like owning a motorcycle and riding one
are different, so is attending a church, and knowing Jesus. But the real
fellowship occurs daily as we live in him, and he is with us. He transforms our
minds and hearts, and that shows on the outside. It is his love that makes us
different from any other religion, denomination, or cult. And they will know we
are Christians by his love!
Which may explain who so many denominations, or even differences within
denominations doesn’t work. Why study may be important, experience is the way
of life. Why owning a Harley don’t make you a biker, or riding one make you an
outlaw. Or having a sportbike make you think you can ride one. All good
relationships take time to make them work, that is the experience Jesus is
talking of. The true fellowship with him, one on one, the personal relationship
with evangelize with, is spirit based. Spirit driven. And man can try to alter
it, but cannot duplicate it. Only Jesus. We may be two fellows on the same
ship, same ride, same church. But talk to witnesses who saw the same accident,
and you get as many different responses as there was witnesses. When did you
see it? What did you see? Do we ask the same of ourselves in Christ? Do we
see Jesus as true fellowship that unties us with him, or those who have common
mindsets as some churches advertise? Like minded can be wrong and hell bound.
Again do you agree with Jesus in the spirit? Yet while we all have the same
Jesus, he personalizes the relationship, so we get it. He is the when, the
where, the how, and the why. The someone you are seeking instead of the
something. And fellowship enriches the experience. Is your whole relationship
based on attending church? Do you want more? do you only wave to other
believers? Do you wear a Christian shirt to share Jesus of impress others
believers? Do you need a sticker, shirt, book cover, or setting set to KWVE to
show others you are saved? Are you saved but still missing Jesus? There has to
be more...
Remember wherever two or three are gathered in his name, he is with them.
You are never alone, as the spirit is given to you upon salvation, and knows
what to pray. What words to give. Still alone? Call upon the spirit,
conveniently packaged so he can ride with you. Shower with you. Sleep with
you. You can be in constant contact with him, as he is with you. That’s
fellowship. That’s love. That is the Christian experience. Some read the
book, some know the author. But first you must have that relationship. Do you
know Jesus? Ask him into your heart and life today. Then experience all he has
for you. Life is a trip, would you rather send or receive postcards? Who do
you say Jesus is will get you into heaven, the first step. Your fellowship in
the spirit will make his words “on earth as it is heaven” real. WWJD? If you
are in fellowship, you don’t have to ask. It shows.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com