1John 1:7
“ But if ye 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.”
1John
2:10”He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none
occasion for stumbling in him.”
Heb.
10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
There is something that is inextricably
linked to loving our brother and sister with the love of God. It is
fellowshipping with our brother and sister.
“If we want to deal with God the right way
we have to learn to love the right way. If we want to love the right way, we
have to deal with God the right way. God and love can’t be
separated! “[Introduction to epistles of John in the message bible]
The reason God and love cannot be
separated is because God is Love. Let me rephrase that: God and loving our
brother cannot be separated. Therefore loving our brother and fellowshipping
with them cannot be separated. Therefore when we run away from fellowshipping
it means
i.
We are in darkness or darkness is in us
ii.
Our love is not complete.
“But if
we walk in the light (love), we have fellowship one with another, and the blood
of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin”.
“But if
we [really] are living and walking in the light, as He [Himself] is in the
Light, we have [true unbroken] fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus Christ His Son cleanses (removes) us from all sin and guilt [keeps us
cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestation”. (Amp)
Fellowship with God exhibits and proves
itself by fellowship with other brethren. We are made to relate not only to God
but also to others. “It is
not good for the man to be alone…” “……..So
God created man in His own image… male and female he created
them” (Gen2:18; 1:27).
Created in God’s image-Humanity is called
to reflect that image through male and female. Though this refers to the
institution of marriage but the larger picture is that within the God-given joy
of being unique individuals we can know what it is to be a true human being
only in relation to others. Our relationships with our fellow human beings as
well as with God have helped to make us who we are. “Those who do not feel they
belong have no clear sense of identity”. (Selwyn Hughes EDN Jan/Feb
2011). This is more so in the church.
“Those who do not have a church family
they belong to are orphans “(Rick Warren); Mark 3:32 – 35.
“…Behold,
thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee….Who is my mother, or my
brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said,
behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the
same is my brother, and my sister and mother.”
•
Fellowship is what God uses to cleanse us from the sin nature – make us better
and more complete believers
•
Fellowship gives us a clear sense of identity of belonging
•
Fellowship makes us alive in the spirit 1Jn3:23 -24; 4:12-13
•
When we are absent from fellowship we have the opportunity for love to be
perfected in us. Heb. 10: 24,25
•
When we are absent from fellowship , we lose the opportunity for the outflow of
good works
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