Devotions - Read Online
Monday | 23 October 2017
In worship and relationship, a person is able to have fellowship with their brethren in Christ. The apostle John explained that this fellowship is with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The context for fellowship is called ‘the name of the Lord’. This is why Jesus said, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them’.
It is only possible for a person to have fellowship with others in Christ when the love of God has been poured into their heart. The love of God is the basis for true fellowship. This will be tangibly evident as brethren encourage one another to sanctification, meet in one Spirit, and show affection and compassion for one another.
Fellowship is where the communication of faith becomes effective in the communion service. This is because the communion service is the place where every member of the body of Christ, who presents themselves in faith, is equipped with grace from Christ for the works of their sonship. The fellowship of the communion extends to fellowship in families and in the presbytery, as sons of God stand and exercise the grace they have received. Writing to his friend Philemon, Paul said, ‘I pray that the fellowship [or communication] of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake’. The fellowship of faith becomes effective when it leads to the works of righteousness. How does this happen?
The grace of God is depicted in Christ’s parable as talents. Paul described the grace of God as ‘Christ’s gift’. This gift is ministered by individuals from the fellowship of the four administrations of grace within the body of Christ. In other words, the gifts of grace are ministered from the offering of Christ through the word of graced messengers who have been restored to the hand of Christ as part of a presbytery.
Further Study:
Philippians 2
Daily Proverb:
Proverbs 23
References:
1Jn 1:3
What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
Mat 18:20
"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst."
Php 1:6
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Mat 25:14-15
"For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. (15) To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey."
Eph 4:7
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ's gift.
Rev 1:20
"As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches."