January 24

Fellowship
by Ray Prinzing

"God is faithful, by Whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord."                                                                                              (1 Corinthians 1:9).

The Greek word for "fellowship" is "koinonia," synonymous with communion, and literally means, "the act of using a thing in common." We might wonder why our fellowship with some people is so limited, it is because we have very little in common for sharing.  Often times it seems to be on a very low level, just natural things - news, weather, family interests, etc. And we yearn for that deeper level of sharing on those spiritual things which enrich the inner man.  Praise God, the Scripture does foresee that day when "the watchmen see eye to eye," (Isaiah 52:8), when we "all come into the unity of the faith." (Ephesians 4:13). Till then, regardless of our fellowship with others, the greatest and best of all communion is that which is shared with our Lord Jesus Christ.

"Tis not among the clam'ring throng
That mixes up the right with wrong,
With faster beat and wild-wind song,
That fellowship is mine.

But when I find a lone retreat
In Spirit, at the Master's feet,
And at His table freely eat,
'Tis fellowship divine.

His blood, His body, yea, His life
Imparted now, quells inner strife,
And clears the atmosphere that's rife,
For fellowship's design.

So if a lonely path you walk,
While thru the night a terror doth stalk,
Just still thy heart, and hear God talk,
And fellowship is thine.