Who Drew The Line?
We hear on every hand of someone being accused of drawing the line of fellowship. I think it would be good to investigate enough to find just who has drawn the line of fellowship.
At this point we will not discuss the testimony of any man or group of men, nor will we notice any formal announcements that may have been made. Let our first and foremost interest be, "A thus saith the Lord."
It would behoove us to notice exactly what "fellowship" is. Unfortunately we have reached the place in the church that when a brother mentions "fellowship" we immediately smell "coffee and donuts." We have meetings, picnics, dinners, and skating parties for the purpose of "fellowship," and many of our brethren think this is typical Bible "fellowship." We can not even read of such "fellowship" gatherings in the Bible. On the contrary, we find it in denominationalism, not in God's book. It might be well to notice that many of our brethren mistake association for "fellowship." Christ had dinner with the publicans and sinners. (Matt. 9:11, Lk. 15:2.) This no doubt constituted a friendly association but not a "fellowship dinner." If the publicans and sinners said they had fellowship they lied and did not tell the truth. Why? Because they walked in darkness. They did not walk in the light as He is in the light. (I John 1:6,7.) There can be association without fellowship just as there can be fellowship without personal association. One can be in fellowship with Paul although he has never associated with him at any dinners, skating parties or "fellowship meetings." One may have very friendly association with a Catholic, but certainly no one would say they have Bible fellowship. There is a difference between fellowship and association. One can have each separately or with those of "like precious faith" one can have both.
John tells us (I John 1:3,6,7), "That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us? and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. If we say we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." From this passage we can conclude at least these two things: fellowship is a joint or mutual belief: fellowship is a joint or mutual action. Notice, John was to declare that which he believed unto them that they might have fellowship. They must believe the same thing. Also we must walk (denotes action) in the light as He is in the light in order to have fellowship. How is fellowship attained? By believing and walking together.
We find (Acts 2:42) that the brethren had fellowship with the Apostles. How was this accomplished? By walking together with them in the labor of love, James, Cephas and John (Gal. 2:9) extended unto Paul and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship. How was this done? By shaking hands? Of course not! The custom that parallels the handshake was a kiss at that time. (Rom. 16:16.) Then just how did they extend the right hand of fellowship? Again, what is fellowship? Joint belief and action! They all were actively engaged in the work of the Lord: They were all of like precious faith.
Now, how do we attain fellowship with one another? By walking in the light as He is in the light. How do we cease to have fellowship? By ceasing to walk in the light! (II Cor. 6:14) "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers? for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" When we cease to be righteous, that is to say right, then we are unrighteous and according to God there is no fellowship. Some well meaning brother will say we should not draw the line that fine. I point out to you that WE did not; God has already drawn it. In 2 John 9 we read, "Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God." How much plainer could it be? If we fail to abide in the doctrine of Christ, then we don't have God. We have ceased to be right. We are walking in darkness. There is no fellowship! God has drawn the line and if I step over it I am out of fellowship with God and his people. It does not have to be announced. I disfellowshipped myself when I stepped over the line. GOD HAS DRAWN THE LINE!