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KOINONIA – OPEN HEARTS
…and truly our fellowship (KOINONIA) is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 NKJV
The purpose of revelation is to enhance the word of God, not replace it. For instance, the Word of God says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Revelation may say, “Go to the corner of Main Street and Entebbe Road. There you will meet a man with purple hair wearing a trench coat. He is suicidal. Tell Him his sins are forgiven, but he may have to do some jail time. Tell Him I am with him and he has a great future. Then, buy his lunch.” Revelation takes the general promises/ commands of Scripture and augments them with specific instruction. When you obey the revelation then you see the promised manifestation of Scripture.
“Arise and go to the street called Straight and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:11-12 NKJV
Recently, the Lord enhanced my understanding of KOINONIA. As I watched a beautiful sunset with rain falling through the sunlight, I spoke to the Lord and said, “Lord, You did good!” I spoke like a man complimenting his friend. Then a fresh understanding of KOINONIA washed over me. In Heaven we won’t walk in shame, fear or loneliness, but will walk in KOINONIA with Christ as, in one sense, equals with the Son of God.
Religion is just the opposite of KOINONIA. In religion the god is always huge, angry, aloof, superior and must be placated, while the supplicant is always small, worthless, meaningless and hanging on only by the ‘good graces’ of the god, which may change at any moment. There is no possibility of KOINONIA in that relationship!
The first usage of KOINONIA is in Acts…
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship (KOINONIA), in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:42 NKJV
A great man of God has said that the key to revival is the restoration of family. KOINONIA is all about ‘family.’ KOINONIA is a full sharing – no walls, no masks, the good, and at times, even the bad and the ugly. The early Methodist gatherings flourished under the principle of KOINONIA. Under the ministry of the Wesley brothers, they would confess their sins to one another, and pray for one another, that they might be healed, and they were.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16 NKJV
KOINONIA is the healthiest state of living possible. You never want to seek to deceive God, others or yourself. At times we lie to ourselves about our calling and our accomplishments. Its better to take the lowest seat at the table, and be brought up higher, or not, than to take the high seat and be brought down. Living in KOINONIA I seek your benefit and advancement, and to keep myself out of the limelight.
KOINONIA with the Godhead – a full sharing, the good, the bad and the ugly – has great practical ramifications when it comes to revelation.
So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.” 1 Sam 9:17 NKJV
I love this record in 1 Samuel because in my mind’s eye I see the Lord and Samuel walking together, just comfortable with each other – KOINONIA. I see the Lord throwing His arm around Samuel’s neck, and pointing at Saul with His other arm, and whispering, “There he is!” The question becomes, are you comfortable with Him? And, perhaps the greater question, is He comfortable with you? The Lord is uncompromising with sin, but totally tender with His people, even thrilled to walk with them. Do you see why James says to confess, then pray for healing?
Few men walked with God like Moses did…
He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. Ps 103:7 NKJV
I want to know His ways, not just see His acts. The Lord confides – He lays out deep and penetrating insight and instruction – in those who fear Him. It’s no coincidence that Moses was the humblest man on earth and that he got the revelation to write the Pentateuch. The same has to be true of the Apostle Paul, who declared himself to be the least of all the saints! Humble people, who esteem KOINONIA with God as their greatest state, hear from Him in abundance.
KOINONIA with the Godhead will be our state in Heaven. It will be unique, personal, comfortable, intimate. And, we can grow up into that state right now. David was a man after God’s own heart. A warrior, a king, a sinner, and yet he never stopped worshipping the one true God. KOINONIA is that place of openness, of intimacy with God and with each other, where unbreakable bonds are forged and lives are transformed into the image of Christ because, like I have always taught my children, you become like who you fellowship with…love you!
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…