There is no greater joy than the fellowship we have with God.  After reminding us of the fellowship we have with the Father and the Son, John said, “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full” (1 John 1:4). 

A second source of joy that we have as Christians is the fellowship we have with each other in Christ.  As Paul began his letter to the church at Philippi, he expressed his appreciation for his relationship with the brethren there.

Philippians 1:3-5 (ESV)
³  I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, ⁴  always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, ⁵  because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.

The word for partnership is koinōnia.  It is the Greek word for fellowship and points to the joint participation we have in Christ.  While in the context of the book of Philippians, Paul was generally referring to the financial help that the saints there gave him (Philippians 4:15), it is true that we are all partners in the gospel as Christians, especially as it relates to the local church.

We are partners in the building up of the church.  When we all work together in the service of the Lord, we edify the body.

Ephesians 4:16 (ESV)
¹⁶  From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

This partnership involves each one of us standing in our place, doing the job that God has given us to do.  When we are all using our talents to further the cause of Christ, being workers together in Christ (2 Corinthians 6:1), we, with joy, build up the body.

We are partners together in prayer.  Paul mentions that he was praying for these brethren with joy, and while it is not specifically stated, we can safely assume that the saints at Philippi were praying for Paul as well.

This partnership in prayer is a powerful tool.  We know that God hears and answers our prayers (1 John 5:14, 15).  Since only Christians have a praying relationship with God (John 9:31), this is a unique activity among God’s children.  As we pray for one another, we are calling upon God to intervene in our lives for good, which He graciously does when the prayers are according to His will.  Let us make sure that we are taking advantage of this blessing.

We are partners together in the spreading of the gospel.  There may not be any area of our partnership more important than this.  God saved us to save others, and He wants us to work together in doing this.  Evangelism is a part of the three-fold work of the church (Ephesians 4:12), and it is the responsibility of every disciple of Christ (Matthew 28:19).

As partners in Christ, we help one another keep our eyes on God.  We motivate each other to be what God wants us to be, stirring each other up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).  This makes this partnership of ours in Christ precious.  Let’s not take it for granted.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.