1 John 1:7
King James Version (KJV)
7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
What was I thinking? Well, after attending tonight's Valentine's Banquet at our church, I was thinking how sweet it is to have fellowship with the body of Christ. We had about 35 adults and I just enjoyed being with them and being loved on and loving them back. What is fellowship? The Greek word used in the New Testament is the word "Koinonia" and it has several applications that are found in different passages in scripture. I want to focus on one aspect of this word and that is the relational aspect. Those of us that are "in Christ" are bound together by the blood of Jesus Christ. Each and every one of us share an experience of conviction, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. We have been brought our of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. It doesn't matter what racial, financial condition, social standing, or cultural background we come from. We all have to come to Christ the same way - on our knees before a God who sacrificed His only Son to redeem us. Because of this we have a spiritual relationship with Christ because His Holy Spirit lives in us and we are in spiritual relationship with each other through that same Holy Spirit. This creates a special bond that is shared by no other people on earth.
What is so cool is the family feeling that exists in this relationship. I have experienced this fellowship with Africans, Spanish, Mexican, Guatemalan, Italian, Japanese, and other peoples all over the world. Fellowship knows no geographical boundaries and is sweet and satisfying like no other relationship.
The fellowship we have with those in our local body is especially gratifying. We worship together, have communion together, grow spiritually together, give to each other, rejoice with each other, mourn with each other, and eat together. As a pastor I get to have lots of brothers, sisters, mommas, dads, kids, grandkids, etc. Such an awesome privilege it is to share the light of God with them all. I wouldn't trade this fellowship for anything.
Some people try to live in Christ like they are the "Lone Ranger Christian". They ignore the body of Christ and don't benefit from fellowship, therefore, they are being robbed of so much strength and healing that flows out of relationship with the body. Most people who are not if fellowship with a local body of believers is a victim of deception and stunted spiritual growth.
I was thinking that we need each other and God sure is smart (of course He is, cause He is God) to make it where we would depend on each other. I have been blessed so much in my Christian life by fellowship and I encourage EVERYONE to get in fellowship with the body of Christ...nothing else can take it's place...just sayin'...
What was I thinking? Well, after attending tonight's Valentine's Banquet at our church, I was thinking how sweet it is to have fellowship with the body of Christ. We had about 35 adults and I just enjoyed being with them and being loved on and loving them back. What is fellowship? The Greek word used in the New Testament is the word "Koinonia" and it has several applications that are found in different passages in scripture. I want to focus on one aspect of this word and that is the relational aspect. Those of us that are "in Christ" are bound together by the blood of Jesus Christ. Each and every one of us share an experience of conviction, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation. We have been brought our of darkness into the marvelous light of Christ. It doesn't matter what racial, financial condition, social standing, or cultural background we come from. We all have to come to Christ the same way - on our knees before a God who sacrificed His only Son to redeem us. Because of this we have a spiritual relationship with Christ because His Holy Spirit lives in us and we are in spiritual relationship with each other through that same Holy Spirit. This creates a special bond that is shared by no other people on earth.
What is so cool is the family feeling that exists in this relationship. I have experienced this fellowship with Africans, Spanish, Mexican, Guatemalan, Italian, Japanese, and other peoples all over the world. Fellowship knows no geographical boundaries and is sweet and satisfying like no other relationship.
The fellowship we have with those in our local body is especially gratifying. We worship together, have communion together, grow spiritually together, give to each other, rejoice with each other, mourn with each other, and eat together. As a pastor I get to have lots of brothers, sisters, mommas, dads, kids, grandkids, etc. Such an awesome privilege it is to share the light of God with them all. I wouldn't trade this fellowship for anything.
Some people try to live in Christ like they are the "Lone Ranger Christian". They ignore the body of Christ and don't benefit from fellowship, therefore, they are being robbed of so much strength and healing that flows out of relationship with the body. Most people who are not if fellowship with a local body of believers is a victim of deception and stunted spiritual growth.
I was thinking that we need each other and God sure is smart (of course He is, cause He is God) to make it where we would depend on each other. I have been blessed so much in my Christian life by fellowship and I encourage EVERYONE to get in fellowship with the body of Christ...nothing else can take it's place...just sayin'...
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