~ We Possess Together ~
The meaning of the word fellowship can be understood by imagining “fellows” together in a small “ship” for an extended period of time. Fellowship includes the concept of sharing something in common. We read in Scripture that some of the Christians in the New Testament had everything in common (Acts 2:44, 4:32).
Consider some Scripture passages which describe different aspects of our Christian fellowship.
We are fellow participants with the same calling and future (Ephesians 3:6) ~ You and your fellow Christians have been called to be God’s ambassadors on earth and you will share an eternity together!
We are fellow workers together serving one Master (Philippians 4:3) ~ On earth Christians are to be workers together for the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
We are fellow members of one body (Ephesians 3:6) ~ All true Christians are members of the one true universal Church of which Jesus Christ is pictured as the head in a metaphor of a human body. Individual components of the body are to be controlled by and take commands from the head!
We are fellow soldiers of one warfare (Philippians 2:25) ~ We are always fighting invisible, and sometimes visible, forces of evil. Fortunately we have been given all the armor we need (Ephesians 6:10-20).
We are fellow citizens of one homeland (Ephesians 2:19) ~ As Christians we have become citizens of heaven and are pilgrims—not tourists—passing through life on earth. We should long for our true homeland!
We are fellow sufferers—sometimes even fellow prisoners (Romans 16:7) ~ The task we have as Christians is not always easy—trials, tribulations, and persecution can be the result of fulfilling our responsibilities.
We are fellow heirs of the same destination with one inheritance (Ephesians 3:6) ~ As a Christian you are truly rich—wealthy! We are joint-heirs of everything with Christ and our fellow Christians.
The bottom line is that our lives should first be devoted to our Savior and then to our fellow pilgrims (2 Corinthians 8:5). The sequence is critical—first a commitment to God, then to our fellow believers.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT: It should also be noted that our basis of fellowship with one another is based on our relationship and fellowship with all three members of the Trinity! (1 John 1:3; Philippians 3:10, 2:1; 2 Corinthians 13:14.)
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
