20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (John 17:20 – 23)
17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17 – 18)
Just as we are enjoying our time discussing worship, it’s time to switch to the discipline of Fellowship. Let’s face it, many of us are not as committed to fellowship as we should be. So, as we contemplate our theme of God’s glory, I am providing two passages of scripture to encourage us to a higher level of commitment.
In the first passage (from John 17) Jesus in His powerful prayer leading up to His crucifixion says that He has given believers the glory He was given “that they may be one” as He is with the Father. There is a clear premium on unity, and I would argue by extension, a clear premium on fellowship. If we seek to live out the unity Jesus has with His Father, we must be committed fellowship.
The second passage (from 2 Corinthians 3) says we are being transformed into God’s image with “ever-increasing glory”. As believers, we are all in an important growing process together. I believe, therefore, that we should cherish the opportunity to do this transformation journey in fellowship, not as a lone wolf.
Please read the passages carefully and answer the following question.
Question:
How highly do you value fellowshipping with believers?