05/13/2021
There are individual aspects to our faith that are undeniable; we must personally decide to believe in, and worship, God, and individually we must be called to Jesus as the Son of God, to live our lives in faith, but these individual acts of belief guide us into something more, a relationship with God, and Jesus Christ. Even further than this, our singular actions of dedication, and faith, are meant to bring us into fellowship with one another. The Holy Spirit brings us together in this way through our love, and faith. Do we have this fellowship, or are we wandering alone in our faith?
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV
So it was that In the Garden of Eden, Adam walked with God, doing all those things that were asked of him by naming the animals, and tending God’s creation. Man was in constant fellowship and relationship with God alone. They walked together, and talked together. We hear this in God’s familiarity in calling out to him.
“But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?””
Genesis 3:9 ESV
Yet there was still something missing in Adam, and he must have appeared sad, or lonely, because God took note of this. He realized the weakness of man, and his need for human relationship while Adam was still alone with Him in the Garden. Thus He gave him Eve who was meant to complete more than God’s design for procreation, or to give Adam a workmate, but was meant to satisfy his need for that human relationship we take for granted today.
“Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.””
Genesis 2:18 ESV
These two forms of relationship, man with God, and man with others of his kind, continued throughout the generations until God changed that dynamic by forming a new and amazing relationship with man that was meant to remove sin, death, and any remnant of man’s fall in the garden. This new relationship took on a different and more perfect form by combining the spiritual nature of God Himself with the physical characteristics of man... in this way Jesus Christ the Son of God was born of the union between God, and Mary, who was an extension of the rib of Adam.
“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV
So now we have a relationship with God, a relationship between each other, and another with Jesus Christ... three very different and fulfilling relationships. Each of these being complex in nature, and meant to serve different needs within us. So it was that when the Holy Spirit was given, and a fourth relationship was formed, it didn’t come as a surprise. This was a relationship designed to bring together the previous three in a new way by forming a combined fellowship between men who knew not only each other, but God, and Jesus, as well. This is a relationship meant for believers, the faithful only, and designed to elevate our relationship with one another to new heights through love.
“even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”
John 14:17 ESV
Now let’s go back to my opening statement and question... “The Holy Spirit brings us together in this way through our love, and faith. Do we have this fellowship, or are we wandering alone in our faith?” To answer this question requires introspection, and for us to look at the way we interact with other men and women of faith. How do we behave towards other believers? What do we see unfolding within the faithful in our church, and between our church and others? The Holy Spirit desires to instill in us a sense of fellowship, but is that what we are feeling today, or how we are behaving? Let’s consider this as we go about our duties today.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the relationships of faith you have established with us, and between us. Thank you Lord for the fellowship between us that these form, strengthen within us, and the effect which they have on our love for one another, our faith, and your Church. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who desires to be with us always, and to walk with us through life within the relationships we have formed, and which are growing day by day. Praised be your name for your Son Jesus, and your Holy Spirit who foster not only our faith, but relationships with us, and a deep fellowship as well. Wash us clean with the blood of Jesus Christ which is the product of our belief, and relationship with Him. Be pleased with us Father in the way we have maneuvered through our lives in fellowship and love with others. Hear our prayers that weave their way through all of the relationships you have established for us, and help our prayers to serve them all by our intercession. Your grace abounds within the bonds of faith we have formed, and we thank you for your mercy which reaches out to others who might join with us. Great are you, and amazing the mysteries that lead to our righteousness, and eternity as we walk with you.
“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.”
1 John 1:3-4 ESV
Rich Forbes