Fellowship

This past Sunday at Hope we talked about koinonía — the experience of being in community, of having things in common, of communicating and living in communion. We typically translate that Greek biblical word as "fellowship," but I think contemporary Christianity has so watered down the idea of fellowship that it pretty much has become a term describing anytime religious people get together and share coffee and doughnuts and talk about whatever everyone else in the world is talking about. But God calls us to so much more! I shared just a sampling of what the Lord expects of our relationships with one another; the verses came fast and furious, which frustrated those who were trying to write down all the references. So, for convenience, here are the ones we skimmed through yesterday:

Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ… If we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other… (1 John 1:3, 7 NLT)

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. (1 Peter 4:8-9 NLT)

There must be harmony among God’s people, so that everyone cares for each other equally. If one person suffers, everyone suffers with them; and if one person is honored, everyone is glad. (1 Corinthians 12:25-26, paraphrase)

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other… (James 5:16 NLT)

Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16 NLT)

…Serve one another in love. (Galatians 5:13 NLT)

…Live in peace with each other. (Mark 9:50 NLT)

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)

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you… This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:12, 17 NLT)

Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (Romans 12:10 NLT)

Let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. (Romans 14:19 NLT)

…Live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. (Romans 15:5 NLT)

Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (Romans 15:7 NLT)

Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others. (1 Corinthians 10:24 NLT)

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3 NLT)

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Ephesians 5:21 NLT)

Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13 NLT)

Encourage each other… (1 Thessalonians 4:18 NLT)

Encourage one another daily… (Hebrews 3:13 NIV)

Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another… (Hebrews 10:25 NLT)

…You must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. (1 Peter 1:22 NLT)

Since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other… If we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. (1 John 4:11-12 NLT)

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. (2 John 5 NLT)

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17 NLT)

I also want to repeat that great quote from Mike Yaconelli's Messy Spirituality — let this one percolate in your thoughts for a while:

“Pretending is the grease of modern unrelationships. Pretending perpetuates the illusion of relationships by connecting us on the basis of who we aren’t. People who pretend have pretend relationships. Being real is a synonym for messy spirituality, because when we are real, our messiness is there for everyone to see.”