God’s Fellowship

1 John 1:3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
 
DO you see one reason John proclaims – he preaches – his eyewitness testimony of Jesus Christ? It is for unbelievers to “have fellowship with us (the church)”. It must be important to John, right? Is John, then, preaching at risk, even as he is being persecuted, so that people join with him for food, light conversation and a few laughs? In our church lives today, that’s what we see as “fellowship”, don’t we? After all, isn’t that what occurs in the “fellowship hall” (a place of meeting with others not in a church sanctuary) or the “time of fellowship” in a church? Is John testifying to the gospel, so he can shake hands in church and greet others with “Good to see you.” while his eyes are on the next person to talk with? Is this the purpose preaching? Is that what the Bible means by fellowship?
     No, emphatically, it is not! Fellowship is a very personal, active relationship with God the Father, Son and Spirit. This relationship then extends to and influences all who believe.
     Fellowship is one of the reasons the church gathered in Acts 2:42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. In the Greek language, “fellowship” points to a God-centered, God-empowered active relationship. In fellowship with God, we learn from him. We seek his wisdom and remember his sacrifice. We worship. We thank him and praise him. In true fellowship, we serve God and serve one another with spiritual gifts of help, mercy, love, forgiveness and prayer. Fellowship is acting with a servant’s heart as Jesus exhibited particularly in John 13 when he washed his disciples’ feet.
     And note, fellowship Is not based on your comfort level. Fellowship is not wondering, “What benefit do I get in this?” This intimate relationship exists only because God the Father through the Son and in the Spirit has graciously established a new, personal relationship with mankind. The gospel declares we have full access to the Father. In this, the Holy Spirit’s fellowship is so personal, he dwells within those who believe the gospel of Jesus’ resurrection. He draws all believers into a sacred community, dedicated to the learning and doing of God’s Word in the power of Jesus’ resurrection.
     I hope you see, then, fellowship is not causal relationships and meaningless conversations. God purpose is to call you into himself, so you can actively love God and love one another as yourself.
     Fellowship is a real, active relationship with God. Fellowship is a real, active relationship with others. Fellowship is glorifying God.
 
Life Thought: Love God above all, and you will enjoy a Spirit-empowered, joyful fellowship with God and with his people.