Christian Fellowship

Christian Fellowship

The Lord's people are all one in Christ; and as such - they are near and dear to Him. They are also one with each other, being one body, influenced by one Spirit, walking by one written rule, and traveling along one consecrated way, to one eternal home!

What a mercy - to be one with Christ! What a mercy - to be one with the people of Christ! Building on the same foundation, encouraging the same hopes, and sharing the same privileges. As one with Christ and as one with each other - our sympathies should be deep and active, our love strong and fervent, and our fellowship sincere and abiding. As branches of the same vine, as stones in the same building, as members of the same body - our connection is close, and our fellowship should be profitable. This is variously represented and illustrated in God's holy Word; let us not pass over the representations without notice, or the illustrations without profit.

We are said to be fellow-citizens, forming part of the same commonwealth, entitles to the same blessings, and required to perform the same duties. We are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

We are fellow-servants in the same family, sitting at the same table, employed in the same service, and doing honor to the same master.

We are fellow-laborers, in the same vineyard, engaged for the same purpose, at the same pay, to aim at the same object.

We are fellow-soldiers, forming part of the same army, engaged in the same warfare, against the same foes.

We are fellow-sufferers, in the same cause, from the same sources, and in the same way.

We are fellow-helpers, and should assist each other in  conflict, in toil, and in trouble.

We are fellow-heirs, being all of us heirs of God, and joint heirs with our Lord Jesus Christ.

We are fellow-citizens - then let us dwell together in unity.

If we are fellow-labors - then let us encourage each other in our work.

If we are fellow-soldiers - then let us keep rank, and present a unified front to the foe.

If we are fellow-suffers - then let us sympathize with each other in our afflictions.

If we are fellow-helpers - then let us bear each other's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

If we are fellow-heirs - then let us rejoice together, as we are going to take possession of that same incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance, which is reserved in Heaven for us!

Let us have fellowship with each other, in all things spiritual and holy; and rejoice in the thought, that though we may differ in circumstances - we are one in essentials. Yes, being one with Christ - we are all one in Christ. We are members one of another, even as we are members of Christ. Blessed be God for our union to Christ - and fellowship with each other!

~James Smith~