Distinction Between Relationship And Fellowship

The link, connection or association between two or more individuals is usually referred to as relationship. Fellowship in the other hand comes in between the related individuals to share common tastes and interests.

Without relationship, there will be no fellowship.

While relationship is a union between two or more individuals and an avenue through which fellowship is basically established, fellowship can also be described as the communion of the related individuals.

As long as husband and wife are married, they are already in a relationship that cannot be undone. Nevertheless, they are like stranger one to another without fellowship—communication, romance and companionship.

Jesus repeatedly emphasize on the word ‘abide’ in John 15:1-5 and this serves as a pointer to the fact that relationship is not enough to empower us as Christians on earth but constant fellowship(communion) with the Father.

             John 15:1-5,

            “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing”.

The branch is naturally related to the vine as Christians are supernaturally related to Jesus and as long as the branch remains in the vine, he continues to flourish. But, the moment he refuses to abide (stay), he stops to partake in the divine nature of God.

This therefore means that it will be very easy for a Christian to produce the expected result as long as he dwells in fellowship with the Father. However, this might become difficult when not in constant fellowship with God.

 Looking at the account of creation, even when many are regarded as non-children of God, it is clear that God created man in His own image.

Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”

This proves therefore that every man on earth is related to God one way or the other. But, this may not be enough to access all that is required as a member of God’s family on earth.  There is a dispute, we must reconcile with God. We are lost; we need to find our way back home. God has sent Jesus to show us the way; we must accept Him as our Lord and believe totally in Him. John 1:12, “But as many as received him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name”

 The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-24 is a very good example in explaining the issue at hand. We can easily explain from this account, the distinction between fellowship and relationship;

Even when it is absurd for a son to ask for his own inheritance while the father is still alive, the prodigal son did and collected his own portion of the father’s properties, this however led to his separation with his father.

By the reason of his unwarranted attitude and greed, he terminated the fellowship between him and his father by taken his journey to a far country.

While in the strange land, he lavished all that was gotten from his father, he could no longer survive, then he remembered his origin and went back to his father even when he has forfeited the opportunity to be called a son.

Contrary to many opinions, while on his way back home, the father still recognised him from a far, not as a servant but as his son and gave him a warm reception due a son irrespective of the wrong earlier done.

It was obvious, the prodigal son abused the opportunity to be called his father’s son. Having separated himself and travel to a distant land in order to enjoy his sudden wealth in ignorance, the reality of what he did became clear to him. He remembered he can always go back to his father, even if he would no more be accepted as a son; he should be able to get employment as one of the father’s servant because life as a servant with his father is far better than life as a son in a strange land. Notwithstanding, He got the surprise of his life as the father refused to accept him as a servant but as a son.

 We all have this lesson to learn; ability to get all that is due us as children of God is located in abiding, staying and fellowshipping with Him unconditionally.

As long as the prodigal son was with his father, fellowship was in place and he enjoyed the covering of the father without having the experience of the other side for one second. But, the moment he left the father, fellowship was terminated and he faced the greatest suffering of his life.

As an unbeliever, you are like the prodigal son. You have abused the opportunity to be called a son of God. He is still your Father, but you are very far from Him by the reason of separation that occurred when you refused to accept the finished work of Jesus Christ. Nevertheless, a Christian will also suffer same except he stays daily in companionship with God.

We need to abide in the place of prayer, studying the word, meditating and communion with the Holy Spirit. It is not enough that we are called Christians and genuine children of God; we must always be in fellowship with God.

 

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