Tag: fellowship

July 3 – What We Long For


“…that I may know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) fellowship of his sufferings becoming increasingly conformed to his death if only I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” – Philippians 3:10-11*

We’re staying with the promises found in Philippians 3:10-11. All who have accepted by faith the righteousness of Christ imputed to our account will experience a longing to know Him, to know God who has made us righteous in Christ. That desire is a reason we have been given the faith and gift of Christ’s work on the cross. Paul says that he longs for an ever-increasing supply of the power that proceeds from the risen and exalted Savior. When the Father raised the Son he thereby proved his acceptance of the ransom paid by Christ as full satisfaction for our sin. Yet we want more. More of the power which comes only from Christ’s resurrection. Like Paul we long to know and participate more and more fully in even the reproaches and afflictions of his Lord and Savior. Paul confesses that sharing in Christ sufferings results in us increasingly conforming to Christ’s death (see Romans 6:4-11). Paul stresses a longing and a striving to be raised completely above sin and selfishness, so that he can be a most effective representative for the salvation of men to the glory of God. But there is more in verses 12-14 next.

*(Translation from: William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of Philippians, New Testament Commentary, (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 5:169.)

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July 25 – Here We’re To Walk


“…but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin..” – 1 John 1:7 (NASB)

Today we have a promise that is wondrously great! Yesterday our verse and blog focused on David’s plea for forgiveness and cleansing from God after his sins of adultery and murder. But we know from the record in the Bible that David was one who walked in the Light of God – which our verse talks about today. God knows perfectly well that during our time on earth and until we depart this world and go to heaven, we will face temptations. We will actually commit sins for which we need forgiveness and cleansing. Any person who has by faith from God, believed in Jesus, is a genuine Christian, (a faith believer) and does not walk in darkness but only in the Light, and cleansing from sin continually occurs. As genuine Christians we walk in the Light (truth and holiness); we do not walk in darkness (falsehood and sin). To habitually walk in the Light means we share in the character of God because we permanently abide in Him and He in us. We will be consistently characterized by His holiness (3 John 11), revealing our true fellowship with God.

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February 25 – United in True Unity


“Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” – Philippians 2:1-2 (NASB)

Our passage today from the letter to the Philippians, written by Paul the Apostle continues an appeal he made in chapter one. (Let’s remember that chapter divisions and verse markings were applied 1150 and 1500 years later.)

In Philippians 1:27, Paul wrote about living our Christian life in harmony with the message on which it is based. He followed that message with a call to show spiritual unity. This unity is possible because of the reality of the four qualities mentioned in 2:1. The “if” clauses speak of certainties, about realities, not questionable things. So in this passage “if” may be translated “since.” Paul appealed on the basis of any encouragement from being united in Christ; any comfort from His love; any fellowship with the Spirit; and any tenderness and compassion. We are exhorted furthermore to demonstrate unity in practical ways. This unity is ours in Christ. Our expression of spiritual unity results in complete joy for all. Matching the four realities are four specific ways in which our spiritual unity will be understood. We will find ourselves being like-minded, sharing and showing the same love; united together as one in spirit; and focused on one common purpose.

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December 23 – Close In Fellowship


“…what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John 1:3 (NASB)

These words from the Apostle John’s first letter are good for us to read this season as we are thinking these days the coming of Jesus as a newborn baby in Bethlehem. This is of the Christmas event we celebrate each December. Tomorrow is the eve of Christmas which we often consider the night of Jesus’ birth in a stable. It was a night of marvelous fulfillment of the promised redeemer. In the verse before (1 John 1:2), The Apostle John wrote that the life was manifested and they had seen it – they were eyewitnesses. God had revealed His life through His Son Jesus and you and I have received new life by believing in Jesus as our Savior. We also read in our verse that this life is a fellowship with God the Father and with Jesus the Son. We are in a close relationship, a fellowship, in which God shares His blessings with us. And that is all because of Jesus. God’s gift of faith enables our acceptance of Him. We trust that you, friend, will experience this Christmas the blessings of this fellowship that has been promised to all who believe.

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November 16 – Called by God

“God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NIV)

The main statement of this verse is that God is faithful. The special significance of this statement here is based on the project that God is working on. Did you notice what it is that God has done and has planned for us? We read that He has called us into fellowship with His own Son, Jesus Christ. First we know that God is the one that calls us. We cannot find our own way in. He calls those he chooses to call. That is how any of the believers become members of His family. So what does that mean – to have fellowship with Jesus? It means a relationship of sharing. We enter the family of God by accepting what Jesus did for us on the cross. Once we accept with the faith God has given to us, we are full heirs with Jesus Christ. Now in His family, God calls us to a continual sharing relationship with Jesus – a daily and hourly fellowship with Him. And God will be faithful to make this fellowship real.

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