Life is Fellowship

The new covenant brings the new eternal life to earth that was never possible during the first 4000 years of our history. The following passage explains our new life: And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:3,7 (NLT). The new life is about our fellowship. 

Real life’s fellowship is not about hunting, a sale on shoes or eating at a fish place. It is a spiritual fellowship that is always about our relationship with God. Jesus “commanded” us to: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 (NLT). Spiritual fellowship is the proof that we are in the family of God. 

Every day of our life we have the opportunity to put God first. We do this because we have been given a new life which can enjoy Godly fellowship. Paul describes it here: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Cor 13:11 (NLT). Every church member should make these things the basis of their fellowship so they will be at peace with God. 

Christianity is about spiritual fellowship. People who are at odds with other church members cannot please God. Jesus said that we cannot even give a gift to God until we have settled their differences. The Bible says: So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. Matt 5:23-24. 

This means that God is always interested in our fellowship because it is about “life” itself. Paul knew more about setting up churches that anyone. The Lord had given him the revelation of the Spirit filled new life covenant. And Paul said: I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. 1 Cor 1:10 (NLT). 

Spiritual fellowship is a “life” decision. Believe it or not, our position in Heaven will be founded on the actions of our earthly life. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”  And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. 1 Peter 1:16-17 (NLT). The fellowship of eternal life is the most important thing in this life.

Sharing a Belief

Christians should recognize other people who belong to the new covenant family. We are different from normal people. The Bible says: Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Col 3:10 (NLT). This complete change in a person places them in opposition to this world. The nature of a worldly person will always resist the righteousness of God.

Jesus spoke about people who serve God one time when His human family had asked for Him. He said: Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!” Matt 12:50 (NLT). Our Savior had been sent to earth on a mission. He had been commissioned to build a righteous family for God. Jesus loved His earthly family but His task was to bring people together as brothers and sisters of the new covenant.

Believers under the old covenant could not be a brother or sister of Jesus. Today the servants of God under the new covenant have the privilege of joining the family of God. Paul explained God’s plan when he said: … his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29 (NLT). When we accept Jesus as our life we are accepting the past 2000 years of God’s servants as our own brothers and sisters. 

Today we must seek out other brothers and sisters in order to build a family relationship with them. It is natural for saved people to love other family members. The Bible says: If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 1 John 3:14 (NLT). Usually we can recognize them immediately because our spirits are joined together in Christ. 

The Spirit of Jesus unites us so that we can do the works of God on Earth. Christians are separate from the natural people of this world. It is necessary for us to support each other in our righteous living. Looking out for the poor and the weak is an important duty. Usually we are the answer to their prayer when we help them.  This is bringing glory to the Father and the Son when the Spirit guides our life in righteousness. 

Sharing a belief in God is a beautiful thing. We can encourage the family: Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith. They stayed for a while, and then the believers sent them back to the church in Jerusalem with a blessing of peace. Acts 15:32-33. The result of godly encouragement is the growth of peace among the family members. Let it be so!