Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy…
Today we consider the third incentive for unity with other Christians.
if any fellowship of the Spirit
This third "if" is also a fact and can be translated "since." The idea is “since it is true that we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit.” Paul assumes this as a fact.
The word "fellowship" means common participation in the same things. Christians commonly participate in the same things as the Holy Spirit. They may refer to the fellowship that comes from the Holy Spirit.
If we have a community with the Holy Spirit then we are ready for community with other Christians. It is the Holy Spirit who will bring unity to a local church. He alone can bring cosmos out of chaos, order out of disorder. If the Holy Spirit joins in mutually with us, he will put our hearts right.
In radio or television, if we are not on the right station, we will not receive the program. If we are not in tune with the Holy Spirit unity will be like a radio wave that passes us by without connection.
We can fellowship with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is to us what the Lord Jesus was to the twelve when he was with them on earth. Jesus had great fellowship with them. The Holy Spirit should have great fellowship with us. He is closer to us than Jesus with the apostles. He indwells in each believer.
PRINCIPLE: The believer has the privilege to fellowship with the Holy Spirit who indwells him. This is motivating to the Christian life.
APPLICATION: Do you fellowship with the Holy Spirit? Do you not do some things because it may grieve him (Eph 4:30)? We must not make the Holy Spirit a "partner" in some shady deal or iniquity.
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