At least in my experience, "fellowship" is one of those Christianized words that we use in the church without thinking about what it means.
We use it to describe our time when we get together for dinner with fellow believers. We use it to describe church socials.
But is that really what it's all about?
In The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis compares the camaraderie of friendship with the camaraderie of romantic love, saying that while lovers are content gazing on each other, the gaze of friends is fixed not on each other, but on a common interest or goal. Friendship is being delighted by the same things, being saddened by the same things, walking together toward a common end.
This picture can help us understand what real fellowship is.
Real fellowship isn't patting each other on the back or saying nice things to each other. Real fellowship is challenging each other to be more like Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith, to Whom we both look in earnest expectation.
Real fellowship isn't covering another person's sin. Real fellowship is what Don talked about last week from Galatians 6: restoring those who are overtaken in a spirit of gentleness.
Real fellowship isn't all laughing and celebrating and having a party. Real fellowship is sharing in another's suffering, need, and pain, and offering earnest prayer through long dark nights.
Real fellowship doesn't observe a distinction between "spiritual things" and "everyday things." Real fellowship is always pointing to Christ and exchanging the wealth of His Word -- on days other than Sunday.
Real fellowship is not an end in itself. Real fellowship is only a preview of a totally Christ-centered life in Heaven.
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3 comments:
Thank you Emily, for a wonderful Christ-centered post!
What a really good thought. This really makes you think about the fellowship that you have with others. Sometimes you can be in a fellowship of people and feel as if you really don't belong. Other times you can be in a fellowship and feel instant bonding because of like interests. Other times you can be in a fellowship and just have fun chatting from person to person. But most importantly it is true that the sweetest of fellowships and friendships are those people that you bond with because of the fellowship you both have with Christ. It is a feeling like none other. It is not the "fun" of being at a party. It is not the "chatter" that you experience in just any gathering. It is knowing that the people you are with have the same purposes in life. It is knowing that the people you are with love Jesus and want to serve Him. It develops within the heartbeat of true friendship. Great article Emily!
Great Blog Emily...I miss fellowshiping with you all..I'm still looking for a church in Melbourne.
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