Stand by Me (3)
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, Philippians 2:1 NASB
Fellowship – Ah, the “church” word. No, it’s not ekklesia (which should be translated “assembly,” not “church”). It’s koinonia, the word that means “in common.” It is the word for what is ordinary, what is not “sacred,” what is of little value. This word means that all of us are on equal footing. We are all just members in the Kingdom. Individually we are of little value, that is, we aren’t as important as we might think. This is a fellowship of the ordinary. In this fellowship there is no hierarchy of economic status or social position or hypothesized authority. This is a society where what we have is given up for the benefit of others. Your gifts, your assets, your energy are put in the service of the community. And, of course, so are everyone else’s. I eat because you give. You eat because I give. It doesn’t matter if what I give isn’t digestible food. I give what God has given to me so that you might eat from His hand through me. And you do the same. Since the Messiah is the only head of the fellowship, if we all give what we were blessed to have been given, everyone eats. If someone withholds, everyone suffers.
Let me give you a real, personal example. In a Christian school that I know, twenty percent of the students cannot afford lunch. That means one out of every five students who attend this school go hungry during the day. A friend of mine suggested a solution to this problem, a solution that did not require any additional funds and that taught critically important communal obligation principles at that same time. The solution was simple. Every student would be assigned one of five colors. Every day at school, one color would offer what they brought for lunch to anyone who did not have a lunch. That means that every day twenty percent of the students would not eat, but four out of five days all the students would eat. Furthermore, every student would learn the principles of compassion, sharing and the obligation to take care of another. Simple.
No, not really. Not simple because it meant a radical change in the idea of ownership. “But it’s my lunch,” was the complaint. No, it’s not. In this community, it is our lunch and everyone is responsible for each other. “So why should I bring a lunch if I am not going to get to eat it?’ Ah, and what makes you so important that you deserve to eat when another does not? “Well, OK, then. I’ll just bring the minimum on the day when I don’t get to eat.” Yes, you could do that, but it would demonstrate that you do not understand compassion or the gifts of God. On that day, those who truly care will bring the best that they have. Koinonia is about changing our view of community, removing the natural instinct for self-protection and becoming like the Master.
Let’s eat. Or not.
Topical Index: koinonia, fellowship, community, Philippians 2:1
I am only ok if you are ok. And that is up to me. Excuse me: us.
Thank you for the little children’s story. The little children will be with me all day.
One
~ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one fold, and one Shepherd.. ~ (John 10.16)
~ By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another ~ (John 13.35)
~ For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, – I was a stranger and you invited me in.. ~ (Matthew 25.35)
Yesterday, my wife and I travelled to another state, and to another city to visit with our children (and new grand-little!) We were invited to and attended a “hymn-sing” last night, hosted by a sweet young couple in their beautiful home. The hymnals were passed out and around, – the event was well attended!- and then the music started, – mostly “Acapulco” with an electric piano/organ -maybe to “fill-in” or to keep time- as necessary, but mostly human voices, raised in glorious concert, harmony and melody – and all to the glory of God!
What were “these” people doing? – (Ha!- and were “they” doing it the right way?)
Please. I’ll let you know very quickly who these “strangers” were.. These were my brothers and my sisters “in Christ!” This was [a part of} the [much, much larger] “Family” of God!- and? – the Body of Christ! These are the ones I will be spending the rest of eternity with! These are the ones who will freely and gladly “testify” (with songs of praises, -quite “Biblical” btw..) – “may Jesus Christ be praised!!”
And with these “strangers and pilgrims” (lol!) – Who were “we” to them, but “strangers and pilgrims! (lol!) – Oh, but all of “us” with voices raised were “engaged” in worshiping the (only) One who is worthy of the worship of us all!
~ [And] It came to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as One, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endures forever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD..~
(2 Chronicles 5.13)
~ It is good to give thanks to the LORD and to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High.. ~ (Psalm 92.1)
~ O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation!! ~ (Psalm 95.1)
If I’m not mistaken, at one rather notable lunch time,
five loaves and two fish went a long, long way!
And wouldn’t hesed then be that the one who receives the lunch, turns around and shares it with the giver?
“On that day, those who truly care will bring the best that they have.”
Sorry to be a dampener of good tidings, LOL. I have witnessed folks who gather for such weekly events, bringing only whatever they can grab from home, or some frozen stuff from the super-marts without any thought if the food is nutritional or not, whereas on the hand other folks would thoughtfully bring really, home-cooked, tasty meals to share. Such is the contrast in attitudes.. an issue of the heart. These are adults by the way.
Fellowship is a joyful time of getting together around a table of goodies to get to know each other, to support each other spiritually and physically, a way of life, something of importance to be in each others’ company, where true communion is, for bonding, for encouragement. Each one equally important with support of the roles they play, with “no hierarchy of economic status or social position or hypothesized authority”.
Such true fellowship is what we are lacking, one that is without condemnation, nonabrasive,
noninvasive, non self-focused, but completely of supportive nature.
Shalom.
Skip – I’m doing some research for a message. How does this fellowship differ from Communism? Thanks
Communism is godless, for starters. It’s based on economic behavior, not compassion. It draws its power from envy of the wealthy while Hebrew community draws its power from thankfulness to God. We could go on but this will get you started in the right direct. Just because the RESULTING behavior looks the same doesn’t mean the motivation is the same.
Thanks for the reply on an old post, I really appreciate it. Your Hebrew word study is such a blessing to me as a husband, father (of 4 girls!), pastor, leader and most of all follower of Jesus. Thanks again.