Sharing in the Life!

Back in the summer of 2004, when we first met together, Tracy M. taught us from 1 John 1:1-4. In v. 3 of this passage, the Apostle John writes that our fellowship with one another is truly fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

But, what is fellowship? There are several dictionary definitions for the Greek word koinonia: fellowship, communion, participation, association, close relationship, sharing. In this context, John has been writing about the intimate, physical realities of association with Jesus Christ - an association that he says continues to the day he is writing. From this, we all agreed that "fellowship" = "sharing in the life."

Sharing in the Life! This idea encompasses far more than the word koinonia, and it is certainly more than a regular pot-luck meal. It includes the many "one another" passages in Scripture, and the instructions to do everything for the purpose of "edification" (1 Cor 14:26; Eph 4:11-16). It means we are a family. And, like a family, we live life together - but our life is empowered by the Holy Spirit, in order to bring glory to God. We are not limited by cultural, ethnic, economic, or even geographic boundaries. We share life with those who share life with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit.