(Heb 10:25) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
FELLOWSHIP, in stricter sense, has been defined in the Bible dictionary as companionship or friendship, a joint involvement of persons on equal and friendly terms, a partnership; joint interest; a manner and a connection for festive entertainments; with good prefixed. There are privileges in having fellowship: first is the personal access to God through Jesus, then we grow in faith, overcome doubts, deepens our relationship with God; we enjoy encouragement from one another and as Christians we may worship together.
FELLOWSHIP IMPORTANCE. For we are part of God’s family. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith (Gal 6:10), to our fellow believers at a convenient time--At whatever time or place, and in whatever manner we can. The opportunity in general is our lifetime; but there are also many particular opportunities. For all believers are but one family. Our lives have the so-called convenient seasons (Act 24:25). We shall not always have the opportunity “we have” now.
The simple rule is that we are favored with the opportunity, and that we have the power. It is not that we are to do it when it is convenient but that we are to do it when we have the opportunity. Paul, in Ephesians 2:19 describe it more aptly as “fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.” For we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another (Rom 12:5).
As one body, we are united together, constituting one society, or one people, mutually dependent, and having the same great interests at heart, each one is of service to the other; and the existence and function of the one is necessary to the usefulness of the other.
FELLOWSHIP POWER. Matthew 18:19 says that “if two of you shall agree on earth, concerning any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them by my Father who is in heaven.” John also wrote, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35) This mutual and neutral love that is able to see all sides shall become the essential and distinctive mark of all Christ’s disciples. When we love one another with pure hearts, fervently, even unto death, then shall it fully appear that we are disciples of Jesus who lay down his life for his sheep, and who became, by dying, a ransom for all. By loving one another, we must be ready also to lay down our lives for each other. Easy or not?
FELLOWSHIP PURPOSES. First is “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” (Eph 4:12) “Perfecting of the saints” is the complete instruction, purification, and union of all who have believed in Christ Jesus and “edifying of the body of Christ” is his Church and is the thorough instruction in Divine things, and it’s being filled with faith and holiness. Just like Jesus, may we learn to “pray for our brethrens, that their faith fail not; and when they art converted, strengthen them (Lk 22:32). Aron pag-andam sa katawhan sa Dios alang sa kristohanong pag-alagad and to welcome God’s people same as you (Mt 22:39) [Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.]
Second is to encourage each other (Heb 10:25) “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” The gathering of for Christian communion in private and public, is an earnest of our being gathered together to Him at His appearing. Union is strength; continual gatherings together beget and foster love, and give good opportunities for doing good works by encouragement from one another (Heb 3:13). [But exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.] This means that it is our duty to exhort our brethren; and, that it is their duty to do it constantly. It is also the duty of all the members of the churches, and a most important, but much-neglected duty. Intimate friends in the church should exhort and counsel one another; should admonish each other of their faults; and should aid one another in the divine life.
Third: that we may be brought to complete unity. Jesus said in John 17:23, “I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them as thou hast loved me.” Jesus prays that such our union in His disciples may be complete, no discords, or contentions. A complete or perfect machine with all its parts in good order and no portion wanting. So is the union of Christians, it would be complete or perfect if there were no controversies, no envies, no argument, and no heart-burnings and jealousies. There is danger of controversies in the church. There are imperfections even the best of men, how prone we would be to passion and ambition, how ready to make mistakes, how selfish and worldly men in the church might divide followers and produce unholy feeling and divergence.
FELLOWSHIP CONDITIONS. Christians are required to show dedication with mutual affection and excel in showing respect for each other (Romans 12:10). This is a believer’s tender affection between and among the same faith who should have similar feelings toward each other, as belonging to the same family, and as united in the same principles and interests.
Jesus gave us this new commandment in John 13:34 “that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” This command Jesus left is to be a badge of discipleship, by which they might be known as his friends and followers, and by which they might be distinguished from all others. Such command was not new as people were required by God to love their fellowman or their neighbor as themselves (Lev 19:18). To love one another as brethren in the same family and fellow disciples is shown by keeping and agreeing together, praying one for another, bearing one another's burdens, forbearing and forgiving one another, admonishing each other, and building up one another in faith.
John wrote in his first epistle that [which the apostles have seen and heard they declare to them that believe, that they also may have fellowship with them (the apostles) and truly such fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ]. Paul also wrote the church in Philippi: “If there is therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind (Phil 2:1F). The apostle wants the Philippians to “think the same thing” by seeing Christ as the common head, having the same love to God, the Father; being of one soul - full of life with the same affections and tempers and of one mind compassionately rejoicing and grieving together.
In conclusion, God desires fellowship among us and Jesus opens the way. An example during the time of the apostles was when they built strong relationship among Christians through sharing, rejoicing and praying. Fellowship is found in the new life with Christ. “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. (Rom 6:5) We should develop a deep longing for fellowship. Christ’s love will motivate us to love other Christians and express that love through actions towards them. AMEN.
