FELLOWSHIP BEGINS WITH LOVE

What is Fellowship?  It is companionship; friendly association, a mutual sharing, as of experience, activity, interest, etc. a group of people with the same interests; company; brotherhood.*

In order for the body of Christ to function properly, we must have one mind, the mind of Christ, and be likeminded. We should have similar thoughts and ideas, though we are many members of the body, there can only be one mind; then we can walk together in unity, and not as a dysfunctional family.  There should be no strife, contention or discord within the body, only love.  For love conquers all. “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:1, 2

When we say that we love one another, love requires action in word and deed on our part.  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.  Love can be shown in many ways, philos* (loving), adelphos* (brotherly) or brotherly love for which Philadelphia is called, the city of brotherly love. There is agape* (sincere affection) which we have for those we care or have intense feelings for.  Amorous* (intimate or sexual desire) for the one you give your heart and body in marriage relationship. Charity* (represents the love of God for humanity or for another human being, it is an act of goodwill or affection; benevolence and kindness).  There are many words, that can describe love, but what is more important is that love is something that is given and shared.  God loved humanity so much that He had a plan of redemption from the beginning of our creation, so that we could be reconciled back to Him, through Christ Jesus.  Jesus loved us so much that He willingly offered Himself as a sacrificial lamb, to be slaughtered and hung on a tree, to redeem God’s children from the curse of sin,* {offenses against God, good morals}, transgressions* {to deliberately act against God’s laws and commandments}and iniquities* {unrighteousness, wickedness} and forgive us of our trespasses* {to go beyond the limits of what is considered right or wrong, to intrude upon another’s property without permission}. 

It is these actions of sin, iniquity, transgressions and trespasses that offend God and causes the body of Christ to be dysfunctional* {unable to function properly or impaired}.  How can this be remedied? First we must individually submit ourselves unto God and His authority.  We must be willing to lay down our lives and everything that isn’t pleasing unto Him, and offer up ourselves to be cleanse and set free from the yoke and bondages of sin.  Sin separate us from God, love binds us to Him.  There can be no fellowship among us or within the body of Christ, as long as we allow sin to reign freely in our mortal physical bodies.   “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”  Romans 6:1-6 KJV.   People, continue to complain about churches, ministries, pastors and leaders being hypocritical, and not representing God.  Yet they fail to realize that the true church of God is made of the body of believers in Christ Jesus.  Therefore if you aren’t a believer, you aren’t a part of the body or family of God.  “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  Matthew 6:24  If you aren’t a member of my family, you have no privileges to eat at my table, abide or take refuge in my house, or enjoy any benefits, unless I choose to offer it to you out of my hospitality.   As a child, my parents demanded that a dinner time everyone come to the dining or kitchen table to eat our meal together, share a conversation and have prayer of thanksgiving as a family.  There was no eating in our rooms unless we were sick or being punished, nor eating in front of the television, reading at the table or any other distraction.  This was the family’s time of fellowship with one another, it was an important part of the day that we come together as one and communicate with each member from the youngest to the elders.  At the table we discussed our achievements, successes and important news, but anything that was negative wasn’t shared during our meal time, as to cause disruption of the enjoyment of each other’s company and the meal we were preparing to share.  I am grateful for this training as a child, which has helped me to understand the importance of unity through fellowship.

Christians we can no longer allowed ourselves to be separated by our differences, whether they be social or economic backgrounds, denominational, doctrinal views and opinions, gender, age or racial ethnicity or financial status; we are members of the same family, regardless of the name of our ministries and churches.  “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:3-6

I believe the conclusion of the whole matter is that we must love one another, as Christ loves us, that we must constantly and daily remind ourselves to love our brothers as ourselves, to treat people as we want to be treated.  To encourage, inspire and strengthen one another in word and deed and as often as possible to assemble ourselves together as members of the same family, share and communicate our successes and achievements, listen to one another’s concerns, and fervently pray for each other without dissimulation {deception or preference} whenever possible we must break bread together, and part-take of the Lord’s Holy Sacrament and Communion as he commanded.  “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19.  Fellowship in Christ begins with Love one for another.  * {Webster’s New World Dictionary}

Written By,

Apostle Loretta Williams