Fellowship (13)
The heart of true fellowship is self-sacrificing conformity to a shared vision.
D.A. Carson
Basics for Believers (16)12.9K
The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.
No discourse is so pleasant. Next to the songs of angels, the pious conference of holy men is the sweetest melody our ears can be entertained with; other things comparatively sound harsh to the things of God. Neither at the instant affect the ear with that pleasure nor afterwards leave it in that composure.
A godly man is a lover of the saints. The best way to discern grace in oneself is to love grace in others: "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14). What is religion but religation, a knitting together of hearts; faith knits us to God, and love knits us one to another.
If you would be pure, walk with them that are pure; as the communion of saints is in our creed, so it should be in our company (Prov. 13:20). "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise"; and he that walketh with the pure shall be pure. The saints are like a bed of spices; by intermixing ourselves with them we shall partake of their savoriness. Association begets assimilation; sometimes God blesses good society to the conversion of others.
Converse with the saints that have the Spirit of God in them. They that would learn a foreign language associate with men of the country whose natural tongue it is. Wouldst thou have God and learn to speak heaven's language? Associate with those who by reason of their heavenly nature will be speaking of the things of God. It is true, they cannot propagate their spiritual nature; but it is as true that the Spirit of God may take the gracious discourses which they breathe forth the means of quickening thee. While thou art with such, thou walkest in the Spirit's company.https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2025/09/the-grace-of-christian-fellowship/
Wicked men can be delighted in talking together of their wickedness; and should not Christians then be delighted in talking of Christ, and the heirs of heaven in talking of their inheritance? This may make our hearts revive, as did Jacob's to hear the message that called him to Goshen, and to see the chariots that should bring him to Joseph. O that we were furnished with skill and resolution to turn the stream of men's common discourse to these more sublime and precious things! and, when men begin to talk of things unprofitable, that we could tell how to put in a word for heaven, and say, as Peter of his bodily food, "Not so, for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean!"Saints Everlasting Rest, https://ccel.org/ccel/b/baxter/saints_rest/cache/saints_rest.pdf
New Quotes
Social religion is the nurse of all the graces of the Holy Spirit in the souls of believers.
Love God in His saints and delightfully converse with Christ in them while thou hast opportunity. But remember thou livest not upon them or on their love, but upon God. And therefore desire their company but for His; and if thou hast His, be content if thou hast not theirs. He wants not man that enjoys God.
Many coals make a good fire, and that is a part of the communion of saints.
Let your holy conference with others be much about the glorious excellencies, works, and mercies of the Lord in way of praise and admiration. This is indeed to speak to edification and as the "oracles of God."
As two pieces of iron cannot be soundly soldered together but by beating and heating them both together in the fire, so neither can Christ and His brethren be so nearly united and fast affected but by fellowship in His sufferings.Saint\'s Nosegay, 107
Christian fellowship, then, is self-sacrificing conformity to the gospel. There may be overtones of warmth and intimacy, but the heart of the matter is this shared vision of what is of transcendent importance, a vision that calls forth our commitment.Basics for Believers
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