Daily Devotion
The Joy Of Godly Fellowship
By: Marissa Wolf
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. ”
1 John 1:6-10
Godly fellowship is a gift from the Lord to help us dwell together in unity under Him. As Christians we can have fellowship with one another when we are walking in the light of Christ. For we are members of the body of Christ. (See: Ephesians 5:30).
When we have fellowship with one another we are to be holy as Christ is holy therefore we are to be holy in all manner of conversation; not just when it’s beneficial for us to be. (See: 1 Peter 14-16 and 2 Peter 3:11). We are to put off the former conversation of the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts. (See: Ephesians 4:22-24). We are to make sure that our conversation is without covetousness. (See: Hebrews 13:5). Our conversation and manner of conversation should be honoring Christ and giving Him the glory in all things not that of ourselves. (See: Philippians 1:27).
It is important that we are to be that of one mind (Christ’s). With one mind and one mouth we are to glorify God. (See: Romans 15:6). We are called to be not unequally yoked together with unbelievers. (See: 2 Corinthians 6:14). For if we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. This of course doesn’t mean never spending time with unbelievers, for there is nowhere you could go in this world to escape all unbelievers. However, we must be cautious not to live parallel lifestyles alongside unbelievers. Jesus Himself sat with, ate with and visited sinners, but He never sinned with them or supported them in their sin, but would say “go and sin no more.” (See: John 8:9-11).
We are to sharpen one another in holiness. (See: Proverbs 27:17). We are to sharpen one another with not just words, but also actions and mannerisms. Our words, actions, and mannerisms can either sting like the piercings of a sword and tear one another down or they can build each other up. (See: Proverbs 12:18). We are to make sure our hearts are wholly filled with Christ and to guard our hearts from troubles and wicked ways. (See: Mark 12:29-33 and Proverbs 4:23). We aren’t to follow our hearts. (See: Jeremiah 17:9-10). For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (See: Matthew 12:34). If our hearts are rooted in sinfulness so are our words, actions, and mannerisms. If our hearts are rooted in sinfulness we are not walking in the light as He is in the light, but rather in darkness. We are called to continually keep our tongue and mouth. By doing so we are continually keeping our soul from troubles. (See: Proverbs 21:23). We are not to let any corrupt communication proceed out of our mouth, but rather that which is good to the use of edifying. (See: Ephesians 4:29). For death and life are in the power of the tongue and no man can tame the tongue as it is an unruly evil weapon full of deadly poison. But the tongue of the wise is health! (See: Proverbs 18:21 and James 3:8). This is just one of the many ways we can consider one another unto love and good works! (See: Hebrews 10:24).
Sharpening one another also includes to have compassion for one of another, to love as brethren with the agape love of God, have pity for, and be courteous towards one another. (See: 1 Peter 3:8). We are to comfort ourselves together and edify one another and bear each other’s burdens. (See: Galatians 6L2). We aren’t to use one another’s burdens for storytelling through gossiping. This is wrong and sinful and something that we must bring to the Lord and repent of. (See: Galatians 5:16-26 and Acts 3:19). We are called to exhort one another not to forsake our time of gathering together. It is important that we do this so much more as we see the day approaching. (See: Hebrews 10:25). For if two or more are gathered in the name of God, He is in the midst with us. God created us to be together with one another. (See: Matthew 18:20). Two are better than one. For if they fail, the one will lift up the other and if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him for a cord of three strands is not easily broken! (See: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Christ is the glue that’s holding them together!
As important as fellowship is with one another, we can’t forget that truly our fellowship is with God the Father and His Son: Jesus Christ! (See: 1 John 1:3). This is one of the reasons He died on the cross for us! God sent His One and only Son Jesus as a sacrifice to be the propitiation for our sins! Jesus willingly obeyed His Father’s commands. (See: John 3:16-17 and 1 John 2:2). God and His Son, Jesus, loves us so much that through Jesus’ death on the cross He paved the only way for us to be free of our sins to receive His gift of salvation and eternal life and that He can have a relationship with us for eternity! (See: Ephesians 2:8-9 and Romans 6:23). He hopes that we might choose Him. We can choose Jesus by repenting of our sins, asking for forgiveness, confessing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believing in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead so that we can be saved. (See: James 4:7-10 and Romans 10:8-9). This is not a one-and-done thing, this is something we are called to do continually on a daily basis.
The life of a Christian isn’t always going to be easy there will be many trials and tribulations full of suffering, persecution, hatred, mocking, etcetera but we are to be of good cheer as not only is God there with us leading the way for us, but He has also overcome the world and we can too by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony and loving not our lives unto the death! (See: John 16:33 and Revelation 12:11). In order to do so, we must die to the flesh, be crucified with Christ, be born again, and keep walking in the Spirit! (See: Galatians 2:20 and 2 Corinthians 5:17). We are to put off the old man and to put on the new! We can put off the old man by continually denying the flesh, picking up our cross daily, and keep following God and seeking Him first in all things! (See: Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23, and Matthew 6:33).
Jesus is the only Way to heaven. The road is indeed narrow, but we mustn’t give up or run away in the spirit of fear when the trials and tribulations come our way. (See: John 14:6, Matthew 7:13-14, and 2 Timothy 1:7). Thanks to God we know that tribulation continually works patience, patience works experience, and experience works hope. Hope in God continually makes us not ashamed “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us.” (See: Romans 5:3-5). So we must keep fighting the good fight of faith and when the devil comes to try and knock us down, we must stand back up with Christ within us, resist the devil at all costs, repent of any sinful wrongdoings, and keep following God one step at a time with Him guiding the way! (See: 1 Timothy 6:12, Proverbs 24:16, and Proverbs 3:5-7).
Are you truly and genuinely sharpening one another in holiness? Are you willing to be like and be treated like Christ not only in the manner of His kindness, but also when it comes to Him being mocked, hated, and persecuted? Are you keeping your tongue pure? Is your heart rooted in sin or holiness? Is your fellowship rooted in Christ? Are there any gossiping habits that you need to bring to the Lord and repent of? Do you have fellowship with Christ just as much and if not more than you have fellowship with one another? Has your fellowship with one another become something that has become exalted above Christ, if so have you repented of it? Is your (manner of) conversation corrupt, if so have you repented of it? Are you willingly letting God lead you every step of the way?
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9
