Category Archives: Fellowship – Unity

Fellowship is sharing in our common life in Christ.

For More on what we share in common: True Body Life Results in Fellowship

We engage in fellowship by relating to one another in oneness of heart through various means of serving each other in love.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Philippians 2:1-7)

Consequently, to define Christian fellowship in the Church we must acknowledge that …

Fellowship is not:

• standing around talking with a cup of coffee in your hand
• a one way street wherein one believer gives to or helps another

Fellowship is:

• the mutual, reciprocal sharing of our life in Christ
• the fulfillment of the one another commands of Scripture

For more on the reciprocal nature of fellowship, it’s important to understand the nature of the One Another Commands of Scripture.

The Body Life Ministry Manual contains this information in addition to the content in the Body Life Training section of the site. You’ll also find a complete list of the one another commands and an acrostic using the word FELLOWSHIP that pulls together how the one another commands tie into fellowship.

God commands us to live in harmony with one another  —  Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another. (1 Pet. 3:8)  — so it must be possible. He provides all the power we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3) which means He will equip and empower us to live in unity despite all of our differences.

“Self” gets in the way of living harmoniously.

1) Self-promotion

Needing to look better than the next person, to always come out on top, blocks harmonious life together, whereas humility promotes unity.

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. (Rom. 12:16)

… be compassionate and humble. (1 Pet. 3:8)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. (Phil. 2:3)

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. (James 3:16)

We can come together on an equal plain when we acknowledge that we are who we are and do what we do because of God’s grace (Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 15:10).

2) Self-perpetuation

Looking out for ourselves, having that sense of entitlement, prevents harmony, whereas seeking the good of others brings us together.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Rom. 12:17-18)

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. (Rom. 15:2)

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. (1 Cor. 10:24)

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:7)

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. (1 Thess. 5:15)

We can come together for the good of the whole when we acknowledge that it isn’t all about our own interests and needs.

3) Self-protection

Holding on to our hurts and disappointments, putting up defensive walls around us, tears down harmony whereas forgiving one another, even doing good to those who have done wrong, opens the door to reconciliation and unity.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:19-21)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Pet. 3:9)

We can come together, breaking down those defensive walls and letting people in, when we trust the Lord to take care of us.

Jesus said,

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Jn. 13:34)

How We Are to Love One Another

The time frame? — none given suggesting always

The means? — as Jesus has loved us

The extent? — as Jesus has loved us

The reason? — because Jesus has loved us (1 Jn. 4:19)

What Happens When We Don’t Love as Jesus

When we don’t love one another as Jesus loves, we …

disobey the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:37-40).

deny people the reality of the greatest evidence of Christ in us (Jn. 13:35).

settle for less than who we can be for love is the greatest characteristic (1 Cor. 13:13).

So, let’s learn to love more and more.

How wonderful when the Church lives in unity! The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that they would make his “joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Phil. 2:2). But, what unlocks the door to unity in the Church?

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. (Phil. 2:1-2, NASB)

4 Keys to Church Unity Based on Philippians 2:1-2

The “if” in verse one leads to the “then” in verse two. Unity is conditioned upon certain realities. It’s like opening a door with multiple locks. You cannot fully open the door to unity without all the right keys. Click on the links below for a better grasp of how these keys lead to unity.

1) Function from your position in Christ.

“if there is any encouragement in Christ”

2) Know and rely on God’s love.

“if there is any consolation of love”

3) Walk together in the Spirit.

“if there is any fellowship of the Spirit”

4) Guard your heart.

“if any affection and compassion”

These four keys enable us to demonstrate the Christ-like selflessness and humility needed to experience unity.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2:3-8)

Also Read:  True Body Life Results in Church Unity

For Help Dealing with Conflict: Conflict Management & Resolution Resources

Since conflict is inevitable in the Church we might question if harmony is possible. To that we must reply that it’s not only possible but commanded. But, doesn’t being harmonious require us to let go of our different ways of thinking and doing things? Actually, it means just the opposite. Rather than let conflict over varying issues divide and destroy us, we come together with all our differences intact to become fuller and better because of it. So, how can that happen?

What It Takes to Be Harmonious

Looking at the context of both Romans 12:16 and 1 Peter 3:8 which exhort us to live in harmony with one another, we learn what accompanies harmony. The ability to be harmonious stems from the way we think so we not only list what we must do but also the perspective needed to get there.

1. Don’t worry about making yourself look good. (“Do not be proud.” – Rom. 12:16)

Perspective Needed: It’s not about “me” but about “us” so I must work toward the effect something has on the other person and all of us, not just me.

Also Read: Phil. 2:3

2. Accept people who aren’t as mature, qualified, trained, intelligent, or on the same level as you. (“Associate with people of low position.” – Rom. 12:16)

Perspective Needed: God did not accept me on the basis of who I am or what I have done so I must not make others earn my acceptance or approval before I let them into my life.

Also Read: Rom. 15:7

3. Lose your sense of superiority. (“Do not be conceited.” – Rom. 12:16; “be … humble” – 1 Pet. 3:8)

Perspective Needed: I am who I am because of the grace of God so I should not see myself as better than someone else.

Also Read: Rom. 12:3; 1 Cor. 15:10

4. Take the high road. (“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.” – Rom. 12:17; “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult” – 1 Pet. 3:9)

Perspective Needed: If God gave me everything I deserved, I’d be condemned, so I should be merciful to others and not try to even the score.

Also Read: Matt. 18:21-35

5. Learn to be submissive. (“Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” – Rom. 12:17)

Perspective Needed: If Jesus came to serve, so should I be willing to lay aside my agenda for the sake of unity and the greater good.

Also Read: Phil. 2:4-8

6. Focus on being a peace-maker. (“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” – Rom. 12:18)

Perspective Needed: If Jesus went out of His way to seek reconciliation with me, so should peace-making be a priority for me.

Also Read: James 3:14-18; Rom. 14:19

7. Trust God to bring justice to a situation. (“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” – Rom. 12:19)

Perspective Needed: God’s ways are higher than mine and His timing is best so I must let “it” go when there seems to be no resolution and not take matters into my own hands.

Also Read: Prov. 14:12; Isa. 55:9; 2 Thess. 1:4-7

8. Forgive people and treat them well instead of as deserved. (“On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” – Rom. 12:20-21; “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing” – 1 Pet. 3:9)

Perspective Needed: If God loved me while I was still a sinner, so should I extend forgiveness and goodness to those who have done me wrong even if they haven’t apologized.

Also Read: Eph. 4:32

9. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. (“be sympathetic” – 1 Pet. 3:8)

Perspective Needed: God wants me to love my neighbor as myself so I must seek to empathize with them and understand where they are coming from.

Also Read: Matt. 22:39; Rom. 12:15; 1 Cor. 12:25-26

10. Be devoted to one another. (“love as brothers” – 1 Pet. 3:8)

Perspective Needed: I became part of a family when God adopted me as His own, so I must treat others like they belong and matter to me.

Also Read: Rom. 12:10; Eph. 2:19; Phil. 2:1-2

11. Cut each other a break. (“be compassionate” – 1 Pet. 3:8)

Perspective Needed: God takes into account that I am human so I should be tenderhearted toward others.

Also Read: Ps. 103:13-14; Eph. 5:1-2

If we apply these eleven principles to our relationships with one another, we won’t let conflict divide but rather become better because of it. We will come together, in harmony, with all of our differences, like the instruments in an orchestra, and together make a beautiful sound to the ears of those around us and to the glory of God.

Conflict can’t be avoided but in it we are commanded to all live in harmony. When we do, we’re be better for it. If harmony is that important, perhaps we should examine what that means.

Liken living in harmony to an orchestra with different instruments coordinating their sounds. But, there’s more to it than that. It goes deeper to the way one thinks about being in the orchestra.

• Each person must understand that they are part of something bigger than themselves.
• Individuals must see themselves as a member of a group, not a soloist.
• Each member must realize that what they do will affect the quality of the music they make.

Living in Harmony is About the Way We Think

When we examine the original words used in the two passages about living harmoniously, we see that harmony is indeed about the way we think.

Rom. 12:16 – autos (the same) phroneo (from the word phren which means the mind)

1 Pet. 3:8 – homophron – homos (the same) phron (from the word phren which means the mind)

In dealing with conflict, we must gain perspective. It isn’t about “feeling” good but “thinking” right. Nor is it about thinking the same, as in agreeing on issues, but thinking the same about what really matters, the higher principles in the kingdom.

Perspectives We All Need to Maintain Unity in the Midst of Diversity

When we come together on this basis, with these perspectives, we can’t help but to accept one another with all of our differences. We will want to add into each other’s lives for the common good, not destroy one another by pettiness or personal preferences. We are all …

• recipients of the same grace of God. … No one is better than the other.
• responsible to the same God. … No one is more or less accountable than the other.
• retrofitted by the same Spirit to each have a part. … No one is less important or less needed than the other.

This kind of unity sounds great doesn’t? But, let’s get real:

• How’s that going to happen?
• Why isn’t it happening?