But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin
What Is Fellowship?
Many define fellowship as:
- Going to church
- Visiting and praying for others
- Being a church leader
- Greeting and shaking hands
- Attending a church event
- Gathering with other believers
- Being involved with a ministry
Certainly these things are included in fellowship, but can any one be defined as fellowship? Yes. No. Maybe? Then what is fellowship? Who is to participate in fellowship? Who can benefit? Why is it important not to forsake (abandon) fellowship? Why must we walk in the Light to have fellowship with one another?
Seeing the Body as a Whole
To understand fellowship, we must look at the Body of Christ as a whole. Ephesians 4:15,16 tells us that the parts of the body work together to increase and edify the Body of Christ. In order for the body to work together, there must be a unifying force able to help it connect and communicate. This is where fellowship comes in. Fellowship is part of the growth and maturing of the body through the unification of the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And He gave some to be apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, and for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we henceforth be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and their cunning and craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, who is the Head, even Christ,
16 from whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Unification of the Body
How does God expect the whole Body of Christ to fit and function together, when people are so different and divided? Certainly, we can't be expected to unite every church and denomination. Time and experience has taught us that there are insurmountable obstacles on the pathway to unity. One might think this to be an unachievable task and unrealistic. Or is it? Perhaps, because of our limited vision, we have given ourselves tasks and burdens that God has not put upon us. We have put our trust in man's ideas and vanity, instead of God's truth. Jesus provided a different path and means to unite the Body of Christ when He imparted His Holy Spirit to guide us into the Light.
God told us, that as we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. So, to be a part of the body, we need only to be in Him, to move and function together. If we profess Christ, we know that the Father is in the Son, and the Son is in the Father. Even more, if Christ be in me, then, I have knowledge and confidence that, "I can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13 If we see with God's eyes, it becomes very clear how the parts of the body fit together, each part having their own function to increase and strengthen the body, but with like-mind, with Jesus Christ as the Head.
We must be careful to distinguish the Body of Christ from the institutional church. Today, the tares grow with the wheat. However, when Christ returns for His church, the Body of Christ, He will sift the tares from the wheat. Until then, we must examine ourselves. Are churches today working together in fellowship? Some would say, "Yes, they all spread God's Word." Are they speaking the truth in love? Again, some might say, "Yes." Others might say that many churches today operate in an illusion, a façade, or they have created their own truth. As disciples, we must spread the true Gospel of Jesus, so that true fellowship abounds, bringing others into the Light, increasing and fortifying the Body of Christ.
Truth and Love are Essential to Fellowship
To find truth and love, we have to deny ourselves; who we think we are; that which we were; and what we think we should be. We humble ourselves in repentance, die to ourselves and allow Christ to live in us, removing all iniquity (sin) by the power of His Holy Spirit. Then, love will cry out for truth and truth answers with love.
As the Body of Christ, we are compelled to walk and speak in truth. If we fail to do so, we injure and weaken ourselves. As it is explained in Ephesians 4:25, " Therefore, putting away lying, let every man speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another." If we harm the members (parts) of the body, we too, being part of the body are afflicted. We can not have true fellowship if we hide or deny the truth, neither are we in fellowship, if there is malice or deceit in our hearts. Our fellowship effects the whole Body of Christ; not just ourselves; not just our church, community, city, state or nation; for we are called to unity and truth in Ephesians 4:4-6:
4 There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all
Fellowship requires commitment to the truth and to one another.
We grieve the Holy Spirit when our hearts do not pursue truth. When we allow ourselves to be swayed or influenced by false doctrine or beliefs pertaining to certain rituals, status or appearance necessary to worship and fellowship with God, a struggle begins within us, that can eventually tear us away from the truth and God. When we abandon fellowship, we not only fail to grow and strengthen ourselves, we fail others, also. A weakened mind and body, falls prey to sin and deceit.
Fellowship is the coming together of God's people, endowed by the power of the Holy Spirit, exemplifying (showing) the glory of God, to increase and fortify the Body of Christ. In other words, our fellowship should depict who God is; His will and His way.
If we worship in spirit and truth, our commune (fellowship) with God, produces a true fellowship with others in the body. Fellowship looses God's power within the body to: help others become edified; built-up; strengthened; increased in faith and love; able do the work and will of God; worship Him; and live abundant and everlasting lives.
Fellowship is part of worshipping God.
God requires that we worship Him in spirit and in truth. He has given us a spiritual connection, through which we come to purification, to live in holiness, righteousness and repentance. We can not have true fellowship (commune) with God if we despise, harm or have a hardened heart against a member of the body.
John 4:23,24 (KJV): 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Philippians 3: 3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Accountability
Worldly fellowship can be like running the gauntlet. It is clouded by darkness and pain. Pain may be inflicted, just by entering the door and walking down the aisle. One may feel the pangs of mental and emotional distress, due to discriminating stares and gossip coming from both sides, by those who call themselves Christians and children of God. It is no wonder that some see no difference from the treatment they receive in the world. The darkness in the world is harsh enough. When people are looking for refuge and deliverance and only find more darkness in the church, we have stood in the way of leading them to God. Often, after the Word of God draws men, hurt and pain from worldly fellowship, within the church, drives them away. As children of God, we stand accountable in all things. With fellowship, comes accountability to God and others. Therefore it is imperative that we walk in the light.
Fellowship tests our spiritual growth and maturity by the fruit we bear. Learning to fellowship can make us very uncomfortable and expose weakness and sin. Reward comes as we surrender to His will and allow Him to abide in us. Through His Holy Spirit, we learn to walk in the Light and begin to bear the fruits of the spirit. Galatians 5 (KJ21)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Father, forgive us for standing in the way, preventing others from coming to know you. Help us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves; seeking and speaking truth in love. Let our eyes be filled with light that others may see you. When we look upon the hurt and pain of others, let our fellowship comfort and heal, through your Holy Spirit within us.
As we pray, we pray as members of the Body of Christ. We pray that others will come to walk in your Light that we may commune with one another. May we strengthen one another through fellowship and prepare the way of our Lord. Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
In the name of your Son, the Truth, the Light and the Way. It will be. Amen
By the Grace and Mercy of God
Your Servant
Mishael
No comments:
Post a Comment