KOINONIA – PARTNERSHIP WITH DIVINITY

We all yearn to be in a place where we can meet with God face to face and hear His voice too. We yearn for a moment where the closeness we have with God is more than the air that we breathe where you can hear God audibly say, go and come, say this and say that?

Have you ever felt that kind of pull I am talking of?

But then, the sad reality is a lot of us feel we have a long way to go to get there. Do you know that God yearns for this kind of closeness too? He is yearning for a generation that wants deeper and closer and more.

This is why I come bearing good news, the good news of Koinonia.

‘May 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

What is KOINONIA?

The word Koinonia comes from the Greek word “koinos” which means “common” and has a link with sharing or doing or having things in common with others. Thus, Koinonia, otherwise known  as fellowship, can be translated as communion, partnership and participation. Or, we can refer to it as entering and having close or intimate relations with a partner, a spouse, brethren or the Lord. 

There are several translations in the Bible for the word Koinonia. The most common scripture associated with this word is Acts 2:42:

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

What is God’s view on Koinonia?

“the fellowship [koinonia] of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ . . . according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” Ephesians 3:9-12

Koinonia is a key biblical concept which defines the relationship God the Father and Jesus Christ want to have with us—and with one another—now and for eternity.

God’s plan in creating man all along was to have fellowship/communion/intimacy with Him. Thus, anytime we go to God in prayer, it is meant to be a period of fellowship/koinonia/communion with him. The amazing thing is, koinonia is not limited to just being in a place of prayer but everything that you do on a daily basis. It applies to church, work, etc.  That is why John says, in 1 John 1:3:

 “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship [koinonia] with us; and truly our fellowship [koinonia] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

So, you see, whatever we have with brethren during church or the gathering of believers is just a reflection of what God seeks with us on a deeper level.

Just as I can speak and you can hear me, God is calling for more. He is calling all of His sons and daughters to a place of intimacy, a place of fellowship or a place of oneness/spiritual partnership with Him. A place where we can boldly say, “Abba Father”, just as we are supposed to! Like Paul says in Galatians 4;6,

“And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, ‘Abba, Father!” (Galatians 4:6).

In other words, Koinonia expresses a very deep fellowship with the Holy Ghost where he transports you from one level to another. As well as puts you in a place of advantage over every thing and every situation. The code of Christianity is not the observance of rituals or rules. Rather, it is a walk of personal fellowship with the living God, through partnership with the Holy Ghost. I.e. the word of God. 

Why must man have fellowship with God; What are the benefits of Koinonia?

“For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit [itself] bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:15-17).

The following are some of the benefits of Koinonia:

1. To take our rightful place in Christ Jesus as sons of God.

How can a child have intimacy with a father he has never known. Imagine going on a trip for 10 years without any form of contact with your unborn child. The child may see your pictures and all. He/she knows, that’s my dad or mum but then, there is no bond. How can a prince exercise authority when no one knows him as Prince? You will only be mocked.

But, with constant fellowship, you know who you are in Christ and can thus, exercise your authority in Him.

2. To enjoy the benefits of being one with God.

We truly don’t have it all to give to God. All we have is who we are. But God, he has it all and because He loves us, He is willing to share everything with us. That is why Paul says,

The benefits include the sufferings also. There are two sides to our faith as Christians; the name it, claim it, and the beneficial side too.

“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” Philipians 3:10.

So, whiles we suffer, we enjoy too. That is why Paul Romans 5:17 says,

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God“.

3. To be unified with the Brethren in Christ

This was Jesus Christ’s desire, that we have the unity of mind and spirit so “they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17:21).

Just as Jesus, says I and my father are one. Fellowship is a word that is undervalued in the Christendom. Koinonia is no mere word, it is talking about deeper participation, that which allows us to remain connected to Christ. In Christ, we are one. Even as we partake in His body and blood, we are unified with Him.

 “That which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship [koinonia] with us; and truly our fellowship [koinonia] is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3).

This has a link with fellowshipping with the brethren. Your church community, your family. What we do in church is a reflection of what we have with God. Fellowship also means giving. Sowing seed, blessing the lives of others. God is always giving to you so you can give to others also. How do you keep pouring into a bottle which Is already full.

But!!!

All these benefits come with a condition; Remaining faithful till the end.

 “After all, we will remain Christ’s partners only if we continue to hold on to our original confidence until the end” (Hebrews 3:14)