1 John 1:1-4 -That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”
THEME OF THE DAY. WHAT IS BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP? We might call it a “buzz word” in our Christian circles. Oh, it is a good “buzz word”, but it can be misleading. It is the word “fellowship”. At times, we may say to other Christians, “Let’s get together for fellowship” and what occurs is a time of socializing around food, and maybe, maybe not, some spiritual conversation sprinkled into the setting. Or we might even have our churches advertise a night of “fellowship” when we gather to enjoy each other’s company, but again, the spiritual tone or emphasis is there, but not primary. In both settings, there is nothing wrong with “Christian socializing”. Perhaps, though, we should not be as quick to call it “fellowship” without really understanding what “Biblical Fellowship” truly looks like.
In the Apostle John’s first letter, he would use the word “fellowship” four times in the first seven verses of the opening chapter. This letter is not only the source to gain personal assurance of salvation, but it is an excellent place to grasp what true Biblical fellowship is all about. And what is true Biblical fellowship all about? The same thing that all of life and especially the Christian life is all about – our Triune God.
As John unfolds the opening of his letter, he focuses on the eternality and Personality of the Lord Jesus and extends an invitation to know and enjoy the most profound and soul-satisfying experience a human being will ever have – fellowship with God. To understand this “fellowship”, we need to do two things. First, define the word; then make application in our personal lives.
First, the definition. Fellowship means “the act of intimate communion, sharing and participating in activities of mutual interests and delight.” With this simple, but in-depth definition, “fellowship” may occur in many different venues. Unsaved individuals may have “fellowship” in social clubs, activities, causes, and organizations. All that is required is to have a commitment to participate in something of mutual interest and delight. But now comes the application for us as Christians using the same definition of the word “fellowship.”
To rightly practice “Biblical fellowship” with other Christians and foremost with God, we must be communing, sharing, and participating in the interests and delights of God. So, what would real Biblical fellowship with other Christians and the Lord look like? First, it would be founded on prayer. The most important and the primary way we know God and get close to other Christians is through prayer. Prayer is the language of love and intimacy. Prayer is the lifeblood of the Christian and church. To be prayer-less toward God and with other Christians is to be out of fellowship with both. Next, Biblical fellowship is a participating in spiritual growth in the Word. It is a regular commitment to be under the Word preached and, in the Word, studied with other believers. We are a people of the Word. Neglect or remove this, and like being prayer-less, we are out of fellowship with the Lord and one another. And don’t think we can be in fellowship with God if we are living the “lone ranger” type of Christianity of not being in prayer and the Word with other Christians. As much as we may say and think we are in Biblical fellowship with the Lord, we cannot be. He has not established nor allows for privatized Christianity. We are individuals committed to one another in the fellowship of the Word. God designed the Christian life this way. One other way we practice Biblical fellowship with God and other believers is through the work of the Gospel. We are people on a mission in this earth; a mission of the Gospel in partnership with the Lord and one another. All true fellowship with God and each other is saturated with the Gospel in our conversations and our activities.
So, Biblical fellowship . . . it goes beyond a meal and checking up on each other’s lives. To be truly Biblical, it means we are a praying people, a Word seeking people, and a Gospel focused people and that with God’s people and Him who is the One who calls us to such fellowship.
PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for calling me to fellowship with You, Your Son, and Spirit.”
QUOTE: “Biblical fellowship may contain a social element but to be Biblical, it must primarily be spiritual.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim