THE BLESSED FELLOWSHIP

Hardeman Nichols

Fellowship results from following the teaching of Christ. Accompanying one’s submission to his precepts are an abundance of blessings. The apostle John said, “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin”(I John 1:7). Look at any passage of scripture which exhorts the Christian to holy living and you will discover some of these blessings.

The churches of the provinces of Galatia were encouraged to follow the teachings of Christ as it is revealed by the Spirit in the Scriptures. In other words, these saints were admonished to have fellowship with the Lord through obedience to his will. Paul urged them to produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness and self control (Galatians 5:22).

The fellowship from such submission to Christ produces a new life which blesses both the individual and the church. Fellowship is the root; the blessings which proceed from this walk with Christ compose the “fruit of the Spirit.” All the components and qualities named in verse 22 are essential to the production of the “fruit” (not fruits) of the Spirit. This led Paul to say, “If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk” (verse 25). Such spiritually fruitful lives will never destroy the peace and tranquility which is to reside in the Lord’s church. On the other hand, fellowship is always interrupted by those who do not bear the proper fruit. Paul urged in the next verse:”Let us not become vainglorious, provoking one another, envying one another.”

It is unfortunate if one stops reading at the end of the fifth chapter; because what follows next is a continuing discussion of other blessings of fellowship. He writes in chapter six: “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (verse 2). The idea of fellowship, or partnership,is found in the phrase, “one another.” This letter was penned in the Greek language initially and the apostle Paul positioned the words “one another” in this sentence at a place which gave special emphasis to them. Every child of God has a reciprocal responsibility of giving and receiving. We are to be partners and there is to be a joint participation in bearing with one another the burdens of life.

As disciples, we must not consume all our time and interest upon self. Each of us is so situated in life that no one is alone. Our sympathies cause us to share with one another. Only then are we fulfilling the law of Christ.

What are some of these burdens which we can help others to bear? Look at three kinds:

Some have financial burdens. Jesus said, “Ye have the poor always with you, and whensoever ye will ye can do them good” (Mark 14:7). Many are poor through no fault of their own. Disasters, loss of health, job failure, and war are just a few of the things that can happen to good hard working people. All need our sympathy and active help. We have been warned by Proverbs 21:13, “Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry, but shall not be heard.” Solomon also taught, “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah” (Prov.19:17). Have you ever made a loan to God?

Others have burdens of afflictions. These can result from sorrows of loss in death and sustained illness. We can give them moral strength and courage by our presence and help when we bear their burdens with them.

There are also spiritual burdens where we can help. This is the kind of burden in the immediate context. The law of Christ particularly leads us to seek one who errs from the faith and, if possible, restore him or her to the fellowship. This chapter had begun by describing such a situation. “Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” In seeking and saving that which was lost, we are like our Lord who said in Luke 19:10 that was his mission.

It is often easier to rejoice with those who rejoice than it is to weep with those who weep. Partnership will not allow us to choose the happy times while avoiding the sad occasions. We must bear with others; that is, we must enter into the lives and feelings of others, even in times of their agony over their sins. When they feel the bitter shame of their disappointment and they weep over their sins, we must be there for them and help them. That is true partnership.

We cannot stand over to one side and seek to justify our indifference by saying, “They are getting what they deserve. It is good enough for them,” or, “He knew better; so let him reap the consequences. It is his own fault.”

Christians must not display the unconcern of the priest and Levite in Luke 10 and “pass by on the other side.” Having a superior Pharisaic attitude will not fulfill the law of Christ. We are to have sympathetic hearts, and help the weak bear their burdens, their sorrows, and griefs. We will encourage the fallen in the proper spirit and help them to work through the toll that sin has taken, so that they can be restored to right living.

James 2:8 calls the law of Christ the “royal law.” It is to “Love thy neighbor as thyself.” If we love as Jesus loved, we will certainly bear the burdens of our brothers and sisters in Christ. What kind of partner are you?