Following Jesus 81

God’s vision for the church is to glorify Him (1 Corinthians 10:31). The goal, aspiration and focus of the church is to bring God glory, honor and praise. The way in which this is to be done is not up for speculation. Rather, God has given us specific instructions as to how to go about glorifying Him. This is accomplished by God centered worship, evangelism, ministry, discipleship and finally the fellowship by followers of Jesus with God and with one another.
 
To begin with, what exactly is fellowship? Our English word fellowship comes from two distinct Greek words: Koinonia and Metoche. The former means communion, participation, sharing companionship, belonging and mutual affection. The latter refers to partnership and the intertwining of lives.
 
Fellowship is the companionship and partnership believers have with one another based upon their companionship and partnership unto salvation in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
 
At its most basic level, fellowship involves companionship with God, consisting in the knowledge of his will (Job 22:21; John 17:3), agreement with his purposes (Amos 3:2), mutual affection (Romans 8:38, 39), enjoyment of his presence (Psalm 4:6), conformity to his image (1 John 2:6; 1:6); and participation of his blessings (1 John 1:3, 4; Ephesians 3:14–21).
 
Fellowship also includes a relationship with fellow followers of Jesus. In duties (Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18), in ordinances (Hebrews 10:25; Acts 2:46), in grace, love, and joy (Malachi 3:16; 2 Corinthians 8:4), mutual interest, the spiritual and temporal (Romans 12:4, 13; Hebrews 13:16), in sufferings (Romans 15:1-2; Galatians 6:1-2; Romans 12:15), and in glory (Revelations 7:1-9). 
 
 

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