November 30

Real Fellowship 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 132:13-18 | Daniel 7:1-28 | 1 John 1:1-10 | Proverbs 28:23-24

Today’s Scripture Focus: 1 John 1

“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3-4 NIV).

Fellowship is more than casual conversation over coffee and cookies. Fellowship is the deep connectedness we have with one another because of our common bond, our relationship with Christ. That isn’t to say that the casual conversation is unnecessary or unimportant, but true fellowship will always go deeper.

True fellowship is our partnership and connectedness because we have a relationship with Christ. He is the common link that brings us together whatever our differences may be. The body of Christ is diverse, but it is held together by what we have in common: our relationship with Christ. We are free to share deeply our problems, our concerns, our heart’s desires with those we partner with on this life’s journey. We live life together, doing our best to help each other in our times of need.

True fellowship is strengthened when we live lives of obedience. “If we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.” This obedience is centered in love for God and love for our neighbor.

True fellowship is enhanced when we confess our sins and live in the purity God brings through forgiveness. Those who’ve experienced God’s grace deeply, tend to show grace to others more freely.

True fellowship is enhanced by an attitude of humility and hindered by a “holier than thou” attitude. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (8). Deep fellowship cannot take place in an environment where people pretend to be more holy than they truly are.

God’s design is for us to live in true fellowship: fellowship with Him through a personal relationship with Christ, which leads to a deep sharing, and connectedness with one another. He desires authentic Christians who are honest about sin and longing to walk in the light. In communities like that we are free to open our hearts to one another and minister to one another as the body of Christ.

Father, thank you for fellowship—both fellowship with you and fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us to grow deeper in fellowship knowing that we really do need each other. May we be an encouragement to each other as we seek to follow Christ on this journey of faith. Amen.