'We Have Fellowship with One Another'
“If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another…” (1 John 1:7).
We sometimes say that being a Christian has not only the “vertical” dimension of fellowship with God, but also the “horizontal” dimension of fellowship with God’s people. Both of those dimensions are highlighted in Ephesians 2. Once spiritually dead in their sins, the Ephesians had now been made alive in Christ, reconciled to God (verses 1-7). That’s the vertical dimension. But that wasn’t all. These Gentiles, once “far off” and excluded from the blessings of fellowship with the Jews, had now been “brought near” in Christ (verses 11-13). That’s the horizontal dimension. The text continues:
For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God the same way: through the blood of Jesus (verses 13, 18). And in being reconciled to God, they are also reconciled to one another. Where there was division and enmity, there is now fellowship.
While the focus in Ephesians 2 is on the bringing together of Jew and Gentile, the beautiful thing is that God in Christ also breaks down other barriers of enmity that divide people. In Christ “there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11). We could say the same about black and white, rich and poor, and much else. Barriers are broken down as hearts are changed in surrender to God’s will, and we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness.
Much of the Bible’s instruction to disciples is aimed at maintaining and strengthening the bonds of fellowship, particularly within a local congregation. A church of God’s people must be more than a bunch of disconnected folks who just happen to worship under the same roof a couple of times a week. God calls on us to be devoted to one another, involved with one another. Numerous passages teach us to provide one another with encouragement, instruction, hospitality, provision, correction, sympathy, motivation, patience, love (see Romans 12:3-21; Ephesians 4:17-5:5; Colossians 3:5-17.) In the fellowship we share, we are each made stronger and better equipped to serve our Lord.
This fellowship is unlike any other relationship, because it is founded on our common salvation in Christ. All of us have non-Christian friends and acquaintances. We may have plenty in common with some of them. We may share important bonds with them—family ties, work relationships, friendships, etc. But no matter how close and important those relationships may be, we don’t share spiritual brotherhood. That kind of fellowship is in Jesus and nowhere else.
My Christian family is made up of people who share a commitment to Christ, a love for His word, a passion for holy living, and a hope for eternity. Who else can relate to my spiritual struggles and hopes like they can? Who else can uphold me and bless me like they can? “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
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