The Power of Divine Fellowship: Living in the Grace, Love, and Presence of God
Introduction:
As we gather together today, I want to draw our attention to a single, powerful verse that concludes the letter of 2 Corinthians. This verse, though brief, captures the essence of our Christian faith and the heart of our relationship with God. It offers us a profound understanding of what it means to live in fellowship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (NLT) reads, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”
This benediction is not just a closing prayer or a simple blessing. It encapsulates the power of divine fellowship—how God’s grace, love, and presence are available to us every day. Today, we will explore each of these elements and how they transform our lives as believers.
1. The Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
Paul begins this benediction by reminding us of “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace is central to the gospel message. It is by grace that we have been saved, not by our works or efforts. Grace is the unmerited favour of God poured out on us through Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) says, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”
In the Greek, the word for grace is charis (?????), meaning favour, kindness, or a gift freely given. Grace is not something we earn—it is something we receive. Jesus, through His life, death, and resurrection, extended this grace to all of us. The grace of Christ forgives us, redeems us, and empowers us to live holy lives.
Grace transforms our lives by giving us freedom from sin and the power to live according to God’s will. As modern preacher Timothy Keller once said, “The Christian gospel is that I am so flawed that Jesus had to die for me, yet I am so loved and valued that Jesus was glad to die for me.” This is grace—undeserved, yet freely given.
Because of God’s grace, we do not live in fear of condemnation. Instead, we live in the freedom and joy that Christ has purchased for us. Let us never take the grace of God for granted. It should lead us to greater humility, gratitude, and obedience. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ gives us everything we need to live a life pleasing to Him.
2. The Love of God the Father
Paul continues by speaking of “the love of God.” This love is not a vague or distant affection; it is the very heart of God towards us, His children. God’s love is the foundation of our relationship with Him and our identity as believers.
1 John 3:1 (NLT) declares, “See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are!”
The love of God is not only unconditional, but it is also sacrificial. Romans 5:8 (NLT) reminds us, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” The Greek word for love here is agape (???p?), which refers to a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the good of others. God’s love for us is not based on what we do; it is based on who He is.
God’s love is transformative. It changes how we see ourselves and how we see others. When we truly understand God’s love, we are no longer searching for acceptance or approval in the world. We find our worth and value in the fact that the Creator of the universe loves us personally.
When we embrace the love of God, it drives out fear and insecurity. It empowers us to love others as God loves us. In fact, the more we experience His love, the more we will reflect that love to others. As recipients of such great love, we are called to share it with a world in desperate need of it.
3. The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit
Finally, Paul concludes by mentioning “the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.” The word fellowship in Greek is koinonia (???????a), which means sharing, partnership, or intimate relationship. The Holy Spirit is not a distant force; He is God’s very presence dwelling within us.
John 14:16-17 (NLT) says, “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”
The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us to live according to God’s will. Through the Spirit, we have direct access to the presence of God. We are never alone because the Holy Spirit dwells within us, transforming us from the inside out.
The Spirit enables us to live a life that reflects Christ. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) lists the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” These are not things we produce on our own; they are the result of the Spirit working within us.
We are called to walk in the Spirit daily. This means we are sensitive to His leading, obedient to His promptings, and dependent on His power. The Holy Spirit equips us for every good work and helps us to live a life that glorifies God.
Conclusion: Living in Divine Fellowship
In this single verse, we find a beautiful picture of what it means to live in fellowship with God. We are embraced by the grace of Jesus, sustained by the love of the Father, and empowered by the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is the essence of the Christian life.
As John Piper once said, “The gospel is not a way to get people to heaven; it is a way to get people to God.” The grace, love, and fellowship described in 2 Corinthians 13:14 are the ways in which we experience and know God personally.
Call to Action:
Brothers and sisters, let us live daily in the light of this truth. Embrace the grace of Jesus, rest in the love of the Father, and walk in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. This is what it means to live in divine fellowship. And as we do, may our lives be a testimony of the goodness of God to a world that needs Him.
Invitation to Faith:
If you are here today and do not yet know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to respond to His grace today. He offers you forgiveness, love, and the gift of His Spirit. Turn from your sin and place your faith in Him.
The Bible says, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9, NLT). Today is the day of salvation—come to Him and receive the gift of eternal life.
