Koinonia, Friendship, and Communion Part 2,

Deep called unto deep, confirming the valued concepts of "koinonia" (koinonea, koininia).

KOININIA, (koinoonia, koy-nohn-ee-ah, NT #2842) - denotes participation with others in intimate affiliation, partnership, fellowship, communion, brotherhood, and sharing of those concepts that are in common. Koinonia defines a unity LIKE that of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This kind of "fellowship" seems to be the secret that the early church all shared (Acts 2:42). And, we notice that because of their koinonia kind of fellowship, they experienced the power (dunamis) of God coming into their midst. As believers, we are called to enter into this same "koinonia" fellowship (communication, participation and social interaction - as being "one flesh") with one another and with Jesus (1 Cor. 1:9).

But what is this "fellowship?"

Jesus was crucified so that we could become like Him. That we could know and love each other in the same MANNER that we know and love Him. Peter touches on this new kind of love when he said, "Have a white hot love for one another" (1 Pet. 1:22 literal reading).

I really get tired of church people who pat me on the back and say, "I love you." Have you ever noticed how that feels%u2026 while, in your heart, you knew those words were superficial and empty? These people don't even know you at all.

So much of the time, we've lost the transforming power of pure relationships. There seems to be too many detached and distant believers insist upon "telling it like it is." They just don't really CARE anymore. Maybe they've been hurt? The unfortunate fact is that you and I both know Christians who've been offended. Lonely, and disenchanted.

Is it just me? Or is there way too much back-biting, self promoting, selfish ambition, jealousy, distrust, and unrestrained lifestyles -- especially by those who think of themselves as a "success!."

The Church has tried to replicate "koinonia" by using smaller cell groups - some have worked, many have not. Many times, going is an obligatory assignment rather than a place of bonding and knitting of souls. We've attempted with our will to be "friendly" and haven't allowed the LORD to meld and bond us together. Many now hide behind false masks to disguise our dissatisfaction. We must wonder...

Have we mistaken trying, pushing, and even leading with transformation?

Have we mistaken "recognition" with camaraderie?

Do we "DO" instead of "BE?"

Being a respecter of persons is one of the utmost exhibits of carnality and self-absorption? Prejudice and bias show up in different ways -- favored treatment, lack of interest, brusqueness, control, disapproving attitudes, intolerance, etc. Hey, Church supposed to be a social opportunity for a multi-level marketing scheme with a religious cover.

The crucial step is for us to just dare to draw close once more. Let those who would be great among us become the servants. Let us lay down our lives for one another. Let's LIVE in totally divergent ways to the natural world.

Love must become a verb - it MUST DO something. Love bears one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2). It is kind, gentle and meek, and seeks not its own way (1 Cor. 13:4). Love enjoys another's success.

We must have the vertical relationship with God - and that becomes enlarged by our horizontal relationship with each other. It's the cross - being both vertical and horizontal.

God CHOOSES TO EXPRESS HIMSELF THROUGH PEOPLE. We communicate Who God is (love) by being in koininia fellowship with one another.

If you are interested in learning more about koinonea, there are lots of books, eBooks, and even free articles on my website at kluane.org -- there's lots more, just click on the RSS below!

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Let's learn together and build the Third Day Church! Thanx. Your online pastor,
Dr. Kluane Spake