“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 that it is true that we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Paul assumed this as a fact.
The word “fellowship” means joint participation in the same things. Christians commonly participate in the same things as the Holy Spirit, which 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 the 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 mutuality with us, He will put our hearts right.
On the radio or television, if we are not at 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 12 when He was with them on earth. Jesus had great fellowship with them. The Holy Spirit should have a great fellowship with us. He is closer to us than Jesus was with the apostles. He indwells each believer.
PRINCIPLE:
The believer has the privilege to fellowship with the Holy Spirit, who indwells him.
APPLICATION:
The indwelling Holy Spirit is the motivation for the Christian life. 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.
