We became acquainted a over a year ago with a couple that lives a block away from us. Our kids went to school together. They came to our church and bible study class a couple of times. They needed help. They needed someone to listen.

But their lives were messy. Too messy for the tidy, surface-only relationships that we prefer. There was clinical depression, alcoholism, fights. After a couple of “uncomfortable” episodes, we pulled back and came up with excuses after that.

Any interaction after that involved only a quick “How ya’ doing?” and small talk.

They’re getting a divorce. I drive by what appears to now be an empty house every day, still too much of a pansy to at least place a phone call.

One of my small groups is on life support, too.

Why follow the admonition to meet together as brothers and sisters in Christ then? There would be no need to.

Why then would Paul command the Thessalonians this way?

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing…. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
—1 Thessalonians 5:11,14

Or how would there be any point to these words of Paul?

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
—2 Corinthians 7:6-7, 13

It would appear that simple fellowship with other believers brought comfort, encouragement, and blessing. And God provides that THROUGH His people. That is one way in which He ministers.

No man is an island. We need the brothers and sisters of the Faith, too.