Koinonia-the fellowship

"I thank my God upon every remembrance of you......for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now" (Philippians 1:3-5).

The Almighty God was the author of true fellowship.In His presence there is fulness of Joy (Psalm 16:11). Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength and shall mount up like eagles (Isa.40:3l). Those that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits (Dan 11:32). Ever since man lost the fellowship of His Creator, by disobedience to God and His Word, it has been the ceaseless struggle of mankind to restore that communion and relationship with God.

Gr.''Koinonia" (Fellowship) means, a lot more than just gathering together for worship. Koinonia brings two individuals into a spiritual unity that binds them together as they know each other as intimately as the spirit of God works in their lives. In order to experience the rich blessings of 'Koinonia' one has to first establish fellowship with God. It is now possible for sinful man to have a living & lasting fellowship with a Holy God based on what the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross.(Rom.5:10). Those who are redeemed and sanctified by the precious blood of the sinless sacrifice of calvary, have the privilege of enjoying the blessings of ''Koinonia'' (He: 4:16, 10:10-229 I Jn 1:2,3).

Past many weeks the Lord had been teaching us (specially at Thane and Vile Parle caring Groups,in 1985) the wonderful truths of ''Koinonia'' from Philippians & I John.

Apostle Paul,in his letter to the Philippians, witnesses to the ''joy of christ'' that overrules all our sufferings as we endeavour to maintain.

i) the fellowship in the Gospel (1:5)
ii) the fellowship of the Spirit (2:1)
iii)the fellowship of His sufferings (3:10)
iv) the fellowship of His labourers (4:3).

Apostle John,in his first general epistle, first lays down 3-conditions necessary to establish & maintain fellowship with God.
i) knowing christ personally (1:1-3),
ii) walking in the light (1:4-2:2) &
iii)practicing obedience (2:3-6)

 

Then he gives l2-indispensable qualities of those in fellowship with God.
1. love that dispels darkness (2:5-12)
2. Spiritual growth (2:12-14)
3. Spiritual warfare (2:15-17)
4. Wisdom to discern truth from error (2:18-23)
5. Taught by the Spirit (2:20-29)
6. Remembering who you are (3:1-10)
7. God's standard (3:4-10)
8. Loving others as God loves (3:11-24)
9. The indwelling Christ (4:1-6)
10.Grow & mature in love (4:7-21)
11.Have faith that overcomes (5:1-6)
12.Being sure of what you are (5:7-21).

May the spotless light of the love of the living God continue to shine in your heart and may your life reflect His glory & splendour as you begin to understand and appropriate the blessings of 'Koinonia' with the lord's people.Amen!