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 “Fellowship”
(koinonia) means sharing and Moulton and Milligan say it
was used by the Greeks for “the closest of all human
relationships.” When God is the “partner” it consists of
our sharing His characteristics — as Thayer puts it, “partakers
in common of the same mind...“ The ideal will only be realized
when we dwell with God in eternity, but it sets standards by
which our present relations are measured — with God, and with
man.
God
ways, “Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet. 1:15-16). “Every
man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is
pure” (1 Jn. 3:3). God is love, and therefore we must also
love (1 Jn. 4:7-11,19). We must “walk in the light” to have
fellowship with him who is Light (1 Jn. 1:5-7). God is Spirit,
and our worship must be a communion in spirit (Jn. 4:23-24).
Finally, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your heavenly
Father is perfect” (Matt. 5:48).
The
means of such a relationship is Jesus Christ. He died for us,
that a just God might forgive our sins (Rom. 3:23-26); and in
His role of Prophet, Jesus delivered the message by which we are
informed of God’s will and are finally judged (Heb. 1:1f Jn.
12:48-50). His declarations, commands and invitations are to “all
the world;” but acceptance and appropriation of
redemption is on an individual basis, and fellowship with God is
contingent upon our living, obedient faith. John wrote, “That
which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also
may have fellowship with us,” i.e., “with the Father, and
with His Son...“ (1 Jn. 1:3).
In
a practical sense, mans fellowship with
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God is possible only as
man is taught, hears, learns and comes to Him (Jn.
6:45). Faith is the result of an objective approach to
revelation (Rom. 10:17), and must not be equated with mystical
“feelings” or emotional “inner warmth”. And this is the
place for the “relative knowledge” argument. The “Grace-Fellowship”
fellows, who are uncertain about fellowship among men because
doctrinal knowledge differs with our background, etc., must
acknowledge the same relativity here, where fellowship with God
is at stake pursuing their present course, some will eventually
accept the evangelical conclusion that God directly and
immediately operates upon a sinner’s heart. “Proof” of
fellowship with God will be “heart-felt” in the best mourner’s
bench tradition.
Of
course man’s knowledge is less than perfect, but the sincere
truth-seeker has reason to be confident. (1) God, who made man,
delivered truth in a way suited to man’s capacity (Eph. 3:2-6;
5:17); and (2) God knows our thoughts (Heb. 4:12), our inner
spirit from whence we serve Him (Rom. 1:9; 2:29). Since
fellowship between God and man is on an unequal basis by its
very nature, man’s part is at best his sincere endeavor
to be God-like. In fact, “godliness” is more a “God-ward
attitude” that motivates our doings. If I fail to have
fellowship with God it is my fault, not His.
Jesus
said, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine ...“ “If a man love me he will keep my words...“
(Jn. 7:17; 14:23). Do we really believe these words??
(continued
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