Fellowship is often viewed merely as an association of like-minded people sharing the same faith. The concept of fellowship, though, existed from the beginning of times, long before people came into the equation. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit were in perfect fellowship before the creation of the world, and still are. How the trinity can be different yet inseparable is a mystery to our human comprehension, but a truth that we ought to grasp to be able to understand the fellowship that God wants us to share with Himself, and others. Before we discuss fellowship with other believers, it is paramount that we remember our fellowship with God, from which all the rest emanate. From the beginning when God created us, He wanted to dwell among us – fellowshipping with us in love – as He was already doing within the Trinity. But man rejected this fellowship by disobeying in the garden of Eden. God, however, never gave up on us. Through His son Jesus Christ, He made a way to restore this fellowship, so that all who receive Jesus would have the privilege to be called children of God (1 John 3:1) and enjoy His presence again. In the previous days of this prayer plan, we elaborated on how to enjoy and grow in our fellowship with God, therefore today we will focus on fellowship with other believers.

In John 17:20-21 Jesus prays for His disciples in these words, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The ultimate purpose of our fellowship as believers is to bear a true reflection in this world, of the divine origins of love in fellowship (John 13:35). Therefore, a godly fellowship should satisfy three main conditions: It should have the right foundation, accomplish the right purpose, and bear the right fruit. 

• The right foundation is none other than Jesus, the cornerstone of our Faith. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20). God’s presence is a ‘must’ for a godly fellowship.
• The purpose of every godly fellowship is to fulfill the great commission entrusted to us by Jesus Himself: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” -Matthew 28:19
• The fruit of fellowship is spiritual maturity, for by spending time with other believers, we get the opportunity to exercise our spiritual gifts and practice God’s instruction to love and serve one another by praying, encouraging, admonishing, rebuking, teaching and edifying each other (Colossians 3:15-16, Ephesians 5:18-21). “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” -Proverbs 27:17.

Maybe you have been hurt by a church community or christian friends before, but the Bible tells us not to give up on fellowship (Hebrew 10:24-25). Therefore, ask the Holy Spirit to restore you and guide your steps into the right fellowship, where you will give and receive the love of God.

Prayer points for today

• Thank God for reconciling you to Himself through Jesus’ sacrifice.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to heal you from past experiences and lead you to the right community, where peace, love, selflessness, encouragement, and God’s presence reign.
• Ask God to make the church become a symbol of His unconditional love to this world. Ask Him to make you an ambassador of this great love to those around you today.