One of the most unique and important blessings of living a Christian life is fellowship. More than a meal we might share, the word “fellowship” is used in the Bible to describe the sharing or partnership we all have as members of the body of Christ.
Fellowship is a sharing of our faith with each other. In Philemon 6, Paul writes, “I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective.” Paul’s prayer was that the sharing or partnership of Philemon’s faith with Paul and other Christians would result in more good work for the Lord and more success for His church. The trust that we have in God and the belief we have in His promises is something that we only share with other Christians.
Fellowship is a sharing with Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:9, Paul writes that we “were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” With Christ, we share love, our faith, our obedience, and of course, our spiritual salvation. We are “in Him” (Ephesians 1:4, 7) and individually “members of His body” (Ephesians 5:30). As part of His body (the church), we should realize a unique closeness that we have with the Son of God.
Fellowship is a sharing of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, it is the Holy Spirit that connects us. In 2 Corinthians 13:14, Paul explained, “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.” Christ gave His life for us (grace), the Father’s love made that gift possible, and the Holy Spirit connects us all today.
Matt Langfield