1 John 1:6-7
Some years ago I borrowed a canoe from a church member and placed it in front of the church as an illustration of fellowship. So how would an old canoe describe fellowship? Well, the best way to travel in a canoe is with two people. However, two people in a boat does not mean that they have fellowship. They merely exist together without participating in any meaningful activity. But if those two people are in a boat and paddling the same direction they share the experience and are able to benefit from each others efforts as they glide through the water. In Acts 2:42 the early church spent time in fellowship. What is fellowship? Biblical fellowship is defined as participation or sharing, as in sharing in and participating in an activity. In the book of 1 John the author confronts false teaching and beliefs that circulated in the early church by addressing true fellowship. In verse 6 and 7 John challenges his audience to a proper conduct and imitation of Christ that walks as He does. In order to do this we need to align our life and participate in fellowship with Christ our savior. In other words, the correct practice of our relationship with Jesus will impact and direct our correct God honoring relationships with others. Our fellowship with one another is to be a living reflection of our relationship with Christ. Like the early church, we are challenged to live the life changing truth of the gospel in our fellowship with one another. By being in fellowship with Christ and following Him we will see the power of the gospel transform us and transform our relationships with others. Just as we benefit from others being in a canoe and paddling in the same direction with us, so we also benefit others by our walk with the Lord and see the reciprocal effects in our relationships.
For More See 1 JOHN
Some years ago I borrowed a canoe from a church member and placed it in front of the church as an illustration of fellowship. So how would an old canoe describe fellowship? Well, the best way to travel in a canoe is with two people. However, two people in a boat does not mean that they have fellowship. They merely exist together without participating in any meaningful activity. But if those two people are in a boat and paddling the same direction they share the experience and are able to benefit from each others efforts as they glide through the water. In Acts 2:42 the early church spent time in fellowship. What is fellowship? Biblical fellowship is defined as participation or sharing, as in sharing in and participating in an activity. In the book of 1 John the author confronts false teaching and beliefs that circulated in the early church by addressing true fellowship. In verse 6 and 7 John challenges his audience to a proper conduct and imitation of Christ that walks as He does. In order to do this we need to align our life and participate in fellowship with Christ our savior. In other words, the correct practice of our relationship with Jesus will impact and direct our correct God honoring relationships with others. Our fellowship with one another is to be a living reflection of our relationship with Christ. Like the early church, we are challenged to live the life changing truth of the gospel in our fellowship with one another. By being in fellowship with Christ and following Him we will see the power of the gospel transform us and transform our relationships with others. Just as we benefit from others being in a canoe and paddling in the same direction with us, so we also benefit others by our walk with the Lord and see the reciprocal effects in our relationships.
For More See 1 JOHN
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