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FELLOWSHIP Fellowship in religion means different things to different people. Some think of it as a social gathering in the "fellowship hall." Others see it as including those in other churches, in spite of doctrinal differences. With many fellowship opens the door for them to participate with all other religious groups in religious activities of all kinds. From what has been said it is evident that fellowship is looked upon by large numbers to include anything and everything with anyone and everyone just as long as it is done in the name of religion! But, is this in harmony with the teaching of the Bible? Let's investigate, search the Scriptures for an answer. A very clear and concise passage of scripture on the subject is found in 1 Jn.1:5-7, which reads, "This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." Several significant statements are included in our passage. The first is, "God is light," Jesus, as God in the flesh, could declare, "I am the light of the world," Jn.8:12. Jesus also said, "He that doeth truth cometh to the light," Jn.3:21. To come to Jesus, Who is the light of the world, is to come to Him in obedience, as drawn by the power of the gospel, Jn.6:44-45; Rom.1:16-17. Another pertinent point of our passage is, "If we walk in the light.....we have fellowship....." True religion, a complete, whole-hearted submission to the will of God is the only basis of fellowship both with God and with man. Those who refuse to believe, Heb.11:6; repent of sins, Acts 17:30; confess, Rom.10:9 and be baptized for remission of sins, Acts 2:38, can have no fellowship with those who do. Paul asked the question, "What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?" The obvious answer is, "NONE!" Be mindful, too, that our passage insists that this fellowship is maintained only by those who continue to "walk in the light" - those who remain true to the doctrine of Christ, as revealed in the N.T., 2 Jn.1:9. Those who teach and practice those things not authorized by God (fellowship dinners in fellowship halls, salvation without obedience to the gospel, Christians in divergent denominations, etc.) are clearly warned, "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie ,and do not the truth," 1 Jn.1:6. Honest hearts will heed the warning! - Wendell Watts |