THE VALUE OF FELLOWSHIP   by John Smith

There is no such thing as a “Lone Ranger Christian.”  Our Lord never intended for His people to be an island unto themselves. As “aliens and strangers” waging war with worldly lusts (1 Peter 2:11), we live in a hostile environment.  For much the same reasons that the American pioneers traveled in wagon trains, Christians are intended to “travel” in “bunches” for protection, direction, encouragement, and strength.

The Wise Man of Ecclesiastes put it this way in Ecc. 4:9-11: “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?”

We must know what Bible fellowship is to appreciate what it provides! In the most primitive sense the Greek word “koinonia”(from which we get our English word fellowship) indicates a commonality, fellows or joint participation. Franklin Puckett expressed it this way: “Joint participation; sharing together in action, benefit, relation; implies equality in rank, power, or character; companionship.” That commonality can be easily seen in Ephesians 2:19-22.

“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.”

Formerly the Ephesians were alienated from God. They had no commonality, no joint participation, but now in Christ all that had changed. Now they were fellow citizens and members of the same household. What we have in common is greater than what might separate us. We are members of the same family and fighting for the same cause. We are not “Lone Rangers” but fellow soldiers and participants in a cosmic battle against the forces of evil.

May we seek ways in which we can come together and not separate. May we strive to participate fully and freely with one another. May we care for one another as those who are members of the same family.