> The New Testament emphasizes the importance of fellowship, both with God and among believers. The Greek word for fellowship, “koinonia,” conveys a sense of deep, mutual participation and sharing. It speaks to the close relationship believers have with God through Jesus Christ and with each other as members of His body, the Church. However, it’s essential to understand that there is a difference between our positional fellowship in Christ and our experiential fellowship with God and one another. Recognizing this distinction can help us cultivate a more profound sense of joy in our Christian walk.
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Positional Fellowship in Christ
Positional fellowship refers to the standing or status we have as believers in Jesus Christ. This fellowship is established by God through faith in Jesus, and it is rooted in the believer’s union with Christ. When we place our faith in Jesus, we are justified (declared righteous) by God (Romans 5:1). We are adopted into God’s family (Ephesians 1:5), and we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5). This positional fellowship is not based on our works or feelings; it is secured by God’s grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
This positional fellowship is not based on our works or feelings; it is secured by God’s grace through faith.
Because of this positional fellowship, we have access to God the Father (Hebrews 4:16), and we are part of the body of Christ, the Church (1 Corinthians 12:12-13). Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39). Our position in Christ is permanent and unchanging, reflecting the truth that we belong to God and are eternally His.
Experiential Fellowship with God and Others
Experiential fellowship, on the other hand, refers to the daily, lived experience of our relationship with God and with other believers. Unlike positional fellowship, which is secure and unchanging, our experience of fellowship can fluctuate. It is influenced by our obedience, our attitudes, and the choices we make each day.
When we walk in obedience to God’s commands, our experiential fellowship with Him is strong. As 1 John 1:7 says, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” Walking in the light means living in truth, purity, and love, in line with God’s Word. When we sin, however, our experience of fellowship with God is hindered. Although our positional fellowship remains unchanged, our sense of intimacy and closeness with God can be diminished. This is why John also says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Confession and repentance restore our experiential fellowship with God.
When we sin, however, our experience of fellowship with God is hindered… Confession and repentance restore our experiential fellowship with God.
Similarly, our experiential fellowship with other believers is also affected by how we live. When we love one another, forgive one another, and bear each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), our fellowship is strengthened. However, when there is division, unforgiveness, or lack of love, our fellowship with one another can be disrupted. Maintaining experiential fellowship requires humility, grace, and a commitment to live according to the teachings of Christ.
How Our Experience of Fellowship Affects Our Joy
The New Testament teaches that our experience of fellowship directly affects our joy. John writes in his first epistle, “We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete” (1 John 1:4). The apostle connects the completeness of joy with walking in the light, having fellowship with God, and with one another. When we are in right relationship with God and with others, we experience a deep and abiding joy that comes from the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
When we are in right relationship with God and with others, we experience a deep and abiding joy that comes from the Holy Spirit.
On the other hand, when our fellowship with God is hindered by unconfessed sin, or when our relationships with others are strained, we may feel a loss of joy. This does not mean we lose our salvation or our positional fellowship in Christ, but it does mean that our experience of God’s presence and peace is diminished. The psalmist David expressed this when he cried out, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12) after his sin with Bathsheba. His position as God’s chosen king did not change, but his experience of God’s joy did, due to his disobedience.
Cultivating Deep and Lasting Fellowship
To cultivate deep and lasting fellowship with God and with one another, we must be intentional. This involves spending time in God’s Word, prayer, and worship, and living a life of obedience to His commands. It also requires investing in relationships with other believers, practicing love, forgiveness, and mutual encouragement (Hebrews 10:24-25).
By understanding the difference between positional and experiential fellowship, we can recognize that while our status in Christ is secure, our daily experience of fellowship is something we must actively pursue. As we grow in fellowship with God and with one another, we will find that our joy in the Lord deepens and becomes more resilient, regardless of the circumstances we face.
Conclusion
Fellowship with God and with fellow believers is central to the Christian life. Our positional fellowship in Christ gives us security and assurance of our salvation, while our experiential fellowship determines our daily sense of closeness with God and others, directly affecting our joy. As we seek to walk in the light and love of Christ, we find that our joy becomes full, and we experience the richness of the fellowship for which we were created.
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