Fellowship gives us strength no matter where we are in our religion. Being in the company of other Christians allows us to learn and grow in our religion. It demonstrates why we believe and, on sometimes, provides good nourishment for our spirits. It's wonderful to go out in the world evangelizing, yet it may quickly harden us and sap our strength. When we are confronted with a harsh world, it is all too tempting to succumb to that harshness and begin to doubt our values. It's always beneficial to spend time in fellowship so that we remember that God is the source of our strength.
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What is fellowship spiritually?
The Greek word koinonia is the root of the word camaraderie. Koinonia is a Greek word that means “sharing something in common,” and it appears 20 times in the New Testament (e.g. Phil. 2:1-2, Acts 2:42, 1 John 1:6-7). The oneness of the Spirit that arises from Christians' similar beliefs, convictions, and acts is referred to as koinonia. Genuine koinonia (biblical fellowship) occurs when those shared ideals are in place. Our mutual collaboration in God's worship, God's work, and God's will in the world is the result of this relationship. Because Christian fellowship is so important, it's critical to establish biblical principles that regulate our dealings with other professing Christians. This is especially true in a world like ours, when people who call themselves Christians have such a wide range of views and behaviors.
What is the purpose of spiritual growth?
Because God promises spiritual fulfillment through an eternal relationship with Him, our aim as Christians is to strive for the prize of righteousness in Christ Jesus. “Blessed are the hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). The ultimate aim and mission of Christ followers is to find satisfaction in God's righteousness and His desires for creation.
Spiritual development is a gradual process. Because God's love compels every aspect of life, the Christian delights fighting for the prize of righteousness in Jesus. “I keep pressing on toward the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). The reason for our temporary and ultimate fates is satisfaction in God's righteousness. Spiritual refinement is shown as a process towards maturity throughout the Bible. “Craving pure spiritual milk, as newborn babies do, so that you may grow up in your salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). “Instead, we shall mature into the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ, by speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
Christians place a high priority on self-development because we seek to shed our old selves (selfish desires) and put on Christ's garments. “I am no longer alive because I was crucified with Christ, but Christ lives in me. My current physical existence is based on my faith in the Son of God, who loved me and offered himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). The first step of Alcoholics Anonymous is to confess that your life has become unmanageable and that you have no control over your addiction, whether it be alcohol or something else. This sentence is beautiful because it teaches a theology of imperfection.
The truth is that no Christian is perfect, and no one can achieve perfection by pulling themselves up by their bootstraps. From the second step of Alcoholics Anonymous, the faithful admit that only God can restore one's sanity. The next step in Alcoholics Anonymous is to surrender your will to God, which is the third step. Even if a Christian is not an alcoholic, these ideas apply to all of life because we are all addicts to some degree. Christians may find brief satisfaction in their addictions. Addictions have the potential to stifle Christian spiritual growth.
You might wonder what a Christian perspective on addictions is. Addictions are defined as anything that prevents real adoration of the Almighty Lord. Work, TV, video games, Facebook, and even just performing ministry instead of being ministry are examples of these addictions. The goal of spiritual growth is to find authentic worship in imperfection and to offer God our entire selves through labor, pleasure, and becoming Christ's imitation to others. “As dearly loved children, follow God's example and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Ephesians 5:1).
What is true fellowship according to the Bible?
There are numerous places in the Bible where we can see examples of authentic biblical fellowship in the life of a believer. Here are a couple such examples:
- Fellowship is founded on God's love, flows from it, is centered on it, and reflects it.
“Beloved, if God loved us so much, we need to love one another as well.” No one has ever seen God; yet, if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is perfected in us.” 4:11-12 1 John
- In order to put Christ at the center of our hearts and deeds, fellowship entails mutual support and constant pointing back to Christ. We can't do it on our own, and we weren't supposed to!
“And let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together as some do, but encouraging one another, especially as the Day approaches.”
“As a result, encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing now.”
- Sharing the Word of God with one another through instruction, accountability, and worshipping our glorious God with one voice is all part of fellowship.
“Let the word of Christ fully dwell in you, teaching and admonishing one another in every knowledge, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with grateful hearts to God.”
- Fellowship means that we not only share the gospel with one another, but we also share our lives because we care about and love one another.
“So, because you had grown extremely dear to us, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because we were affectionately desirous of you.” 2:8 in 1 Thessalonians
- Fellowship is going into one another's pain and responsibilities and assisting one another physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It implies we grieve, rejoice, and pay close attention to one another.
- Fellowship entails giving liberally to one another and sharing mutually when we are in need.
“For I do not mean that others should be relieved and you should be burdened, but rather that your current abundance should meet their need, so that their abundance can supply your need, and so on. It is written as is “Whoever gathered a large amount had nothing left over, and whoever gathered a small amount had plenty.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-15 is a passage from the book of 2 Corinthians.
- The body of Christ comes together as ONE people with ONE voice to serve one another with our unique gifts and to care for/honor one another above ourselves in fellowship.
“However, God has placed the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that needed it, so that there should be no division in the body and its components should have equal concern for one another.” If one portion suffers, the rest of the body suffers with it; if one part is honored, the rest of the body rejoices with it. You are now Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it.” 12:24b-27 in 1 Corinthians
- Fellowship entails being vulnerable with one another as we honestly confess our faults to one another, earnestly pray for one another, and hold one another accountable to deal with the sins we are battling with.
“As a result, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another in order to be cured.” A decent person's prayer is powerful and effective.” 5:16 in James
- As the love of Christ pours out of our hearts and into the lives of those around us, true fellowship reveals that we are Jesus' disciples. This kind of love inspires others to desire to know more about the amazing God of love we serve!
“I give you a new command: Love one another. You must love one another as much as I have loved you. If you love one another, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” 34-35 in John 13:34-35
What is the difference between relationship and fellowship with God?
The distinction between fellowship and relationship as nouns is that fellowship refers to a group of people who share a common interest or goal, whereas relationship refers to a link or association; the state of being related.
What is difference between fellowship and worship?
The distinction between worship and fellowship as nouns is that worship is (british) a kind of address given by a mayor and other dignitaries, but fellowship is a group of people who have a common interest or goal.