What Makes Fellowship Christian?
by Greg Wood
In this post, I wrote about the gracious gift it is that God would invite us into intimate fellowship with Himself, and that He uses the body of believers to help us along in enjoying that gift. When viewed as a spiritual discipline (or a habit of grace), fellowship with fellow Christians is a tool in the hands of the believer toward enjoying God and being conformed into His image.
But that type of growing in love for the Lord doesn’t happen in just any kind of social setting. Can you imagine if Jesus’s conversations with His disciples had only been about the Olympic games and the latest happenings for the Jews? Or, what if Paul’s time with Timothy and Titus had been all about the excitement of sea travel? The Lord has intended that the children of God not merely hang out and talk about the Super Bowl or the news.
When the Scripture talks about fellowship (Greek koinonia), it is not talking about a social club among people who simply meet in a common location, talk about some common interests, and share laughs. Our fellowship is rooted in our common Father, our shared Savior and Lord Jesus, and the One Spirit who abides in us. If we pursue biblical fellowship, we won’t look like the world.
The biblical picture of fellowship is also not of the same nature as the relationships believers have with the outside world. Of course, we can and should have close, dear friendships with those who don’t follow Jesus, but the fellowship that exists is different than that of brothers and sisters. With Jesus as the believers’ treasure and their greatest joy, the fellowship with an unbeliever could never be on the same level as what ought to exist between brothers and sisters in Christ. It may take a similar shape as our Christian fellowship, and we may practice some of the same things (sacrificial giving, empathetic listening, generosity, hospitality) but the mutual affection and “stirring one another up in love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24;25) is missing.
Instead, the watching world will see Christian fellowship as something that they know they were made for as well. They will see the love we have for one another that moves us towards fellowship with the living God.
The Practice of Christian Fellowship
In practice, love for one another, fellowship with one another will be tangible and willing to go beyond mere words.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:16–18)
There are so many forms in which love may be expressed in this fellowship of believers. John’s expression of these can be grouped into the categories of moral, social, and theological. Here are just a few examples we may need to hear, grouped by category:
Social (love) expressions of fellowship
Using our resources and skills to serve a brother or sister in need (1 John 3:16-17)
By the Spirit living in us, in love we forgive rather than harboring hatred (2:9)
We encourage one another’s fellowship with God (1:3, 6-7). Share how yours is going, and ask about theirs.
From a posture of love, we are to be building one another up into Christ-likeness (2:10-11, 4:20-21). While seeking Christ-likeness yourself, be salt and light with your brothers and sisters.
Theological expressions of fellowship
Helping one another see, love, and confess what is true about Jesus (2:22-23), and guarding against what is false (4:2-3, 6). This might look like sharing the joy we have in Jesus.
Helping one another abide in the apostles’ teaching as given in Scripture (2:18-21, 24-25), fostering true life from Christ to sustain the brother or sister (5:11-13). Share insights and corrections.
Work to build the character of Christ in one another by helping one another abide in the fellowship of Jesus (1:3-4). Care about how the other’s alone time with the Lord is going, and ensure they are participating in the corporate fellowship.
Grow in spiritual discernment and understanding together (5:20). Call out what you hear that doesn’t align with Scripture.
Moral expressions of fellowship
Encouraging one another towards holy living (3:4-10). Seek to foster a vision that holy living is the freest and most joyful living.
Having more than a surface-level conversation or mere talk (3:18). Beyond how the day went, let’s check on one-another’s soul.
Willingness to confess our sins to one another and hear of Christ’s atoning work on our behalf (1:6-9). When my brother confesses to me, I not only acknowledge the grief it brings to the Spirit, but also the good news of Christ’s payment of the debt and empowerment of the changed life.
Assessments to see if our fellowship with one another is on track towards loving God and obeying His commands (5:2-3). Reflect and see if the above characterizes the fellowship.
So, when we think of the means of grace, or spiritual disciplines, let’s not forget that these are intended to help us draw near to God. Let’s take advantage of this wonderful gift God has given us of fellowship with the body of Christ. And let’s be on guard against our fellowship slipping into mere worldly talk and activities.
New City, let us not settle for shallow relationships, but pursue the joy of knowing Christ together!