…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. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.

                                                                                                                   1 John 1:3-4 

There are two things that we all seek in our lives: to be loved and accepted and to be happy. I don’t believe that it is a coincidence that these two indispensable features of life are John’s focus in today’s passage. Enjoying a sense of belonging or acceptance from others is at the core of the biblical concept of fellowship. But this word has been greatly watered down in some circles. Fellowship is often thought of as a “get together” perhaps featuring a potluck supper or such. But getting together with others doesn’t guarantee that true fellowship (in the biblical sense) has taken place or will take place. The word is koinonia and at the heart of this word is the idea of being likeminded with others. It is being unified around a common goal, outlook, or belief. It is something with which the church often seems to struggle but the secular world doesn’t seem to have any trouble with it at all. Let me explain.

Imagine that we are at a baseball game. It is the bottom of the ninth, the bases are loaded, there are two out, and the best hitter that we have is coming to the plate. As he approaches, it is impossible for the crowd to remain seated. Everyone rises to his/her feet in support of the team and with the expectation of what just might happen if he can come through. The crowd cheers and shouts words of encouragement as the batter sizes up his opponent. And just as sure as the crowd is anticipating something to celebrate, the hitter connects with the ball and sends it over the center field wall satisfying the crowd and bringing the team a walk off victory! If you have ever been in this environment, then you know that as the team celebrates, so do the fans. As “victors” we tend to look for people that we can “high five” and with whom we can celebrate. These might even be people that we have never met and with whom we have nothing else in common. But for that brief moment, we were all unified in our desire to see the same outcome. This is the essence of koinonia!

As Christians, there are two aspects to our fellowship. One is our relationship with God and the other is our unity with other believers. Interestingly enough, these two aspects of Christian fellowship coincide with two major personality bents. For some of us, recharging our spiritual and emotional batteries comes as we get alone with God and enjoy personal, fellowship with Him. This might take the form of walking along a wooded path, taking a stroll on the beach, hiking to a mountain summit, or just enjoying that special quiet place at home where we can get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. For others, their batteries are recharged by being active and being around others. It is the presence of other individuals and the busyness that recharges people with this type of personality.

Jesus struck a healthy balance between the two by ministering, teaching, and healing the multitudes but by also taking the time to escape the demands of the crowds to spend time alone with the Father. I believe that we would do well to strike the same balance. For those who like to be alone, there is always the danger of isolating themselves from other believers, cutting themselves off from the encouragement and growth opportunities that koinonia with others can provide. For those who like to be busy, the danger is that the activity of living can take the place of time alone with God. This can lead to missing out on opportunities to gain new strength and can lead to spiritual burn out. Fellowship with God and others must be carefully balanced and the personality of each member of the church should be taken into account. Rigid demands for either can be counterproductive in the life of the church.

Just a side note: I believe that a biblical argument can be made for favoring time alone with God over that of busyness. Remember Mary and Martha? Martha was rushing around making sure that the preparations for entertaining guests were being accomplished. As she scurried about, Mary sat quietly at the feet of Jesus. As Martha got frustrated with Mary and her lack of helping, Jesus addressed her. These were His words, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41b-42). This is not to say that “Martha’s” are not important. If it were not for people with the same personality type as Martha, nothing would ever get done. But Jesus does identify what Mary was doing (spending time with Him) as “the only thing necessary” and announced that she had chosen “the good part.” As someone who prefers to spend time alone with God, I appreciate what Jesus is saying. Corporate church life is important, but we should make sure that we are taking time every day to be still and enjoy fellowship with God.

It would be an amazingly joyful thing to be able and announce that the church is perfectly unified and enjoying koinonia, but tragically, that is not reality. Mankind (even in the church) has discovered seemingly unlimited ways to divide themselves. But scripture couldn’t be any clearer on the issue of unity. Consider the following truths: 

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

                                                                                                               Philippians 2:1-2 

…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

                                                                                                               Ephesians 4:2-6 

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 

                                                                                                            1 Corinthians 1:10 

There is only one body of Christ, also known as the church. These are all of the born again believers in Jesus Christ. All of us, who have been saved, belong to each other and should enjoy koinonia with one another. We should be speaking life into each other’s lives, offering support and encouragement. But the opposite of that is often the reality and unfortunately, it is on display for the unbelieving world to see and examine. I continue to be amazed at how people can find the smallest differences in their thinking and then disband over those minuscule issues. There was a reason for John to encourage fellowship. It was so that the Christian’s joy would be made complete.

Often, we will hear a contrast being made between happiness and joy. The reference will be that happiness comes as a result of circumstances while biblical joy is something that believers should experience regardless of the situation in which they may find themselves. While I appreciate that distinction, happiness and joy are not mutually exclusive. Joyful people tend to be happier and healthier individuals. And when someone is consistently happy, we can usually find a joyful person. When Jesus spoke the eight “blessing” statements in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), He uses the word, makarios, which means “happy.” When we have personal koinonia with God through Jesus Christ and enjoy the power of the Spirit at work in our lives, we tend to have a greater chance at enjoying koinonia with others as well. This brings about the joy to which John is referring. 

There are four terms in scripture that all come from the same root word. One is chara, meaning joy and gladness, the second is charis, meaning grace, as in the grace of God, the third is charisma, which refers to spiritual gifts, and the fourth is chairo, which can be translated “to rejoice, to be well, and to thrive.”

I believe that all four are essential in enjoying koinonia with God and with others as well as experiencing joy and life as God intended…a life that is thriving and well! Simply put, when we correctly understand and receive the grace of God in our lives, fully immersing ourselves in the spiritual gifts(s) that He has given us, and living with a vibrant and fervent determination, then fellowship, joy, and gladness begin to flow from our lives. And as we unite with others who take on these same characteristics, we are empowered to fulfill all that God has given for us to accomplish on this earth.

Koinonia and joy…two indispensable features of the Christian life! Are you experiencing these realities in your spiritual life? What will you do differently this week to ensure that those around you are experiencing them?