FRIENDSHIPS and FELLOWSHIP

 

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Hebrews 10:24-25

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

 

 

For those of us who have them, strong friendships are blessings in our lives. These relationships can help motivate us closer to Jesus and bring us joy. I believe we all know from experience that developing strong Christian friendships does not happen instantly. Fellowship is an important quality in pushing one another closer to God while building close bonds with each other.

In the New Testament, we find a very important word, koinonia. This Greek word roughly translates to fellowship. What is fellowship in the Bible? Well, fellowship relates to community and coming together with a common goal, to bring glory to God. Ultimately, fellowship is about God.

Now on a practical level fellowship involves us loving, caring, and looking out for each other. As we serve Christ, we can also look for opportunities to be there for one another. You may think of other examples of Fellowship, but here a few that came to my mind.

·         Going to Church and Worshipping together

·         Praying together

·         Studying scripture together

·         Eating together

·         Doing tasks together

·         Playing together

I have come to understand that at the heart of it, Biblical fellowship comes back to Christ and pursuing him in all of life.

When it comes to friendships and developing relationships with other Christians, fellowship allows us to connect and unite. Biblical fellowship allows us to encourage one another and push each other closer to Christ. It is possible of course, to have friendships with non-believers and we should, these relationships keep us sharp too. Yet those friendships formed through a common love and a mutual respect for Christ and his word can be so rewarding and enriching.

It is also important to remember that strong friendships do not just appear. They take effort and consistency on our part. It is so, so, worth it!

 

“… if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

  we have fellowship with one another . . .”     1 John 1:7