1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Here is a lesson of love: Not only do we have fellowship with God, but we must endeavor to have fellowship with one another. This is walking in the light! The earlier verse says: If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. In other words, what the Bible says is that fellowship with God and fellowship with one another are related. Otherwise, we are just walking in darkness.
It is God who had called us out of darkness, into His marvelous light. And we did respond by coming to Him with a repentant heart. Our sins were forgiven and then the new birth, when we were born of Him. And we forged a new relationship with God our FATHER. The point is, when we became related to God and His light, we also became related to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, we must know the fellowship with one another. Even in the natural realm, we are related not just to our parents, but also to our siblings – our own brothers and sisters. And we do know the value of such a relationship.
We are not called to be alone or aloof in the kingdom of God
The Psalm 92 talks about being ‘planted in the house of the Lord’; the author of Hebrews implores ‘Do not forsake the gathering together of saints’ – Don’t make it a habit of refraining from the church assembly. We must learn to cultivate good habits – therefore add to faith virtue! Psalm 92:13 says: Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
It takes effort to win an estranged brother. In the same way, there must be a willingness to fellowship one with another.
1 Peter 5 and verses 5 and 6 talks about being submissive to one another together with humbling ourselves before God. It says: Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,… Ephesians 5:21 says the same: submitting to one another in the fear of God. Therefore we ought to be subject not only to our God, but also to one another in the fellowship.
The Bible also likens the church to a human body; each with members of the same body with Christ as head. Each member has at least one function to fulfill. The Bible calls us priests before God. For you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…
Now let me share some principles on how to establish a relationship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
(i) Get to know the person
3 John 14 says: …Greet the friends by name. Get to know the names of people in your fellowship.
(ii) Mingle with all
Do not form and have your own groups and networks in the church fellowship. Do not look for social standing and status while getting to know a person. Romans12:16 says: Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
(iii) Accept one another
Romans 15:7 says: Therefore receive {accept} one another, just as Christ also received {accepted} us, to the glory of God. Do you remember how we came before God the first time? Just as we were; with our weakness and failures – and He accepted us. ‘As is, where is’ – that’s how we came to Him. We must first have this attitude toward others.
(iv) Be kind to one another / Forgive one another
You are not in a fellowship for competition and strife. Ephesians 4:32: And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. There is no place for grudges and bitterness in a fellowship. FORGIVE freely – JUST AS God in Christ forgave you.
The Bible teaches us not to give place for any root of bitterness; and not allow the sun go down on our wrath (Eph. 4:26 ). Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. (v31). Do not allow any bitterness to grow because someone ignored you in the fellowship, or when someone did not smile or talk with you. Bear with one another and forgive.
(v) Pray for one another
If you are wondering what your work in the fellowship is, you can start by praying for one another; pray and intercede. God will use you to be a blessing. Encourage one another, and comfort one another in prayer. Build one another and admonish one another in love.
(vi) Love one another
Yes. Love one another and care for one another. When God met Cain to enquire about Abel, Cain responded “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Do you care what happens to your brother or sister in the fellowship? We are responsible. In fact Jesus said, this will be one of the distinguishing mark of the Christian fellowship – Love. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35 ).
The Bible reasons, ‘How can we love God, whom we have not seen, if we do not love the brother whom we see?’
(vii) Serve one another
Be hospitable and do good to one another. The Bible says that we have received a special gift; each one of us. And we ought to serve one another with that special gifting. 1 Peter 4:10 says: As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Do not bury your talents as in the parable of the lazy servant. God will bless you when you use your gifts.
(viii) Restore one another
If you have true love in your hearts, you will care enough to correct the person if he or she is wrong. Deal directly with that person; do not back-bite or slander or judge. But walk in love. Galatians 6:1: Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
(ix) Bear one another’s burdens
Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. In this fast-paced life of the city, it will be easy to ignore other’s burdens. Like in the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and the Levite, who did not stop by the injured man, but passed by ignoring his plight, we could be people who do not bother; or like that Samaritan, we could invest our time and resources in caring and sharing in other’s burden – other’s pain. This is Christ’s body – we all are members. It is our church, our brothers and sisters. If we do not help one another, who will help?
Wherever you are, whatever church fellowship you attend, you can begin to walk in the light of fellowship with one another with your brothers and sisters in Christ. We could go on giving excuses, or we can start as early as now! We could talk the talk of love for ages, but it’s time we walk the talk. Walk in light! Our walk talks louder than our talk talks!
You could know the Bible verses from each book of the Bible, but have you put any of those in practice? Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. Knowledge is good, but love in action is better. Therefore add to your knowledge…brotherly kindness and love (1 Peter 1:5-7).
Amen.
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