True Fellowship

The apostle Paul gives an adept example of Christian fellowship in the book of Acts 20:31, 36 and 38.  In these verses, we see Paul’s relationship with other believers and an example of true fellowship.  It describes Paul’s relationship of how he loved and cared for other believers in Christ and visa versa.  Scripture says, “And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.” (Acts 30:36) We too can begin building stronger relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ by sharing, rejoicing, sorrowing, caring and praying for one another.  

“Fellowship” means sharing in common, or sharing together. The idea that we, who were so defiled by sin, could have fellowship—could share together—with the holy God, not just for the few years on this earth, but forever, should overwhelm us! John Calvin captures this (Calvin’s Commentaries [Baker], on 1 John 1:4, p. 162):

True Fellowship is so important in the life of the church. We are reminded in 1 John 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.”

 True fellowship is rooted and grounded in the Word of God, its mutual and it is renewed daily through the power of the Holy Spirit. True fellowship is intertwined with both spiritual and social interaction. Only when you have a living relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that you and I can experience true fellowship with one another.

 Relationships take much time and effort.  Great marriages didn’t get there overnight. It took some prioritizing and spending quality time with one another and being committed to working through difficult times. Most importantly, it takes communicating with one another in love even when we don’t feel like communicating.

One of the enemy’s strategies is to get us distracted from spending time with God and growing closer to Him and strengthening our relationships with other believers in Christ. In Matt. 22:37-40, reminds us that we are to love God with all our being and to love your neighbor as yourself.

 I want to encourage you today, to work on your relationship with God first and make the necessary time to spend with Him in His Word and in Prayer. Dissever the things in your lives that are hindering your fellowship with Jesus.  Ask God to help you work on healing your relationships with your brothers and sisters in Christ. True fellowship with God will bring true fellowship with one another.

 Jesus reminds us that whenever there is a disintegration in a believer’s relationship within the church, home or at work, our church Covenant reminds us to always be ready for reconciliation. In order for this to occur, reconciliation must always precede our worship as found in Matt. 5:23,24, “First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.” Paul even counseled his people to not let the sun go down on their wrath in Ephesians 4:26. This verse not only applies to marriage, it applies in all relationships.

 We live in a world that is already torn apart due to a number of differences. However, every believer in Christ Jesus is commissioned by God to reconcile and put away our differences. Jesus forgave you and I and He, “Who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18-19).”

 Serving The Lord With Gladness,

Deacon Terri McFarlane