We throw words around many times, I am not sure I understand the true meaning of some of the words I use. “Fellowship” is one of those words. We speak of extending fellowship toward others! We talk of withdrawing fellowship! We talk of fellowship in the most conventional ways. We share meals together and call it fellowship. People visit before and after services and we say we have been in fellowship. What is fellowship and what does the word really mean to have fellowship?
The Greek
word is koinonia. It means literally “communion, participation
by sharing in common.” Here are some
scriptures in how the word is used: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not
the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it
not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1Cor.10:16) “for your fellowship in the gospel from
the first day until now”
(Phil. 1:5) “For it pleased those from
To
fellowship with someone is when you contribute, share and participate in a
relationship with them. It is not about
eating, or talking, or playing in activities with another, but actively
participating in their life. The Bible
is not about social activities or socializing.
God’s word is about sharing together in the things of God in this life. “And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the
breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts
We hear sometimes of those who have withdrawn fellowship – It is done because an individual is actively (and purposely) involved in evil and will not repent. (1Cor.5) Here is some food for thought – You can not withdraw from someone who does not participate or share in life with you. To withdraw from someone is done to impact (or lead them) to repentance. But if there is no fellowship to begin with, the guilty one will have no sense of loss or remorse. Even the withdrawal of fellowship is meant to have a positive impact on the person who has drifted from the Lord!!!
We need to have a much better understanding of fellowship in God’s terms. The body of Christ, the church, is actively sharing in Christ and His benefits. We share in the blood that Christ shed, it cleanses our sins. We share in His sacrifice, all coming together and sharing (communing) on the first day of the week, as we share the Lord’s Supper. Fellowship gives us motivation in our lives. Our fellowship is based on our common sharing with Christ and His life. To encourage each other in the things of God, to join hearts and encourage each other in faith and in God’s Word and sharing in His life together, that is fellowship. To pray together is study together is sharing the same thing, that is fellowship. To help one another in contributing to the needs of others is fellowship. To have a cup of coffee and socialize or discuss the latest events in the world , is not fellowship. To build the body of Christ around social activities is not fellowship and will never build the body of Christ into a truly spiritual body as God desires.
Please do not misunderstand – I am not against social activities. They too serve a purpose but the church is not, and never will become stronger by the vast amount of social activities the world enjoys and takes part in. True spiritual growth comes to those who are willing to accept God’s Word and put it into practice in their daily life. The world’s programs will produce cliques and destroy unity and spiritual growth. True fellowship will cause the body of Christ to grow stronger and closer in their walk with the Lord and each other day by day.
Think about it!!! Mike
If
we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do
not practice the truth. But if we walk
in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and
the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
1John
1:6-7