Listen to Nancy answer this question recorded on Moody Radio with Kelli and Steve
People often identify as a Christian because they might go to church. For them, more than that is a bit over-the-top. They might say they are friends with Jesus from a worldly perspective. Friendship is about being honest, low-maintenance, generally loyal, and respectful. We all want to have good friends and to be a good friend in return. God calls us “friend” when we believe that He died and rose again. Having fellowship with God is a different kind of relationship that goes much deeper than a casual friendship with God.
The Greek word translated “fellowship” in the New Testament i koinania, meaning “partnership, sharing in common, or communion,” and the essence of partnership is agreement or unity of purpose. Fellowship with God is agreement and a heart of obedience to Him in all things. It is like a partnership with God as your leader and Lord. Not only do we have fellowship with God the Father, but we also have fellowship with His Son and the Holy Spirit.
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“God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Corinthians 1:9).
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“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (2 Corinthians 13:14).
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“that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3)
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In fellowship with others, there is the oneness of the heart and like-mindedness. Two people in Godly fellowship must have like focus and desires, which is why Paul exhorts believers not to be “unequally yoked with unbelievers.” For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14). Believers have true fellowship with one another because of the Holy Spirit, who indwells all believers.
Fellowship with God is only possible through the blood of Christ. Before we were saved, we were at enmity with God. “And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21). But Jesus reconciled us to God through His death on the cross and His resurrection. When we repent of our sin and trust in Christ, the result is living in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life” (1 John 5:20).
It is essential to know that fellowship with God comes exclusively through Jesus Christ. Every false religion and every cult gains acceptance by their “god” through works. For example, If I am good enough or in many religious groups, then God will be pleased by what I have done and love me and make me His friend. The Bible makes it very clear that there is no other way to be in fellowship but through Jesus.” I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through me” (John 14:6). Plain and simply, we cannot have fellowship with God if we reject His Son.
What keeps us at odds with true fellowship with God?
1. The “mind governed by the flesh” that does “not submit to God’s law” (Romans 8:7). “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).
2. God is light, and light cannot have fellowship with darkness: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But 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, purifies us from all sin” (1 John 1:6,7). Our source for fellowship with God is His Word. God is not distant, He is with us and for all who believe, in us. He is a relational God who is calling you to Himself so that through fellowship with God, as you read and study the Bible, you will have peace that passes all understanding. God wants what is best for us, all the time. He desires that as we grow closer to Him, we will love him more and more and will then desire His will and not our own. We can trust Him!