We experience authenticity in genuine fellowship. Fellowship is not superficial, surface-level interaction. It's genuine, sometimes gut-level sharing. It happens when people honestly share themselves--their thoughts, felling, doubts, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. Of course, this is quite a risk, requiring both courage and humility. It means facing our fear of exposure, rejection, and being hurt again. Why would anyone take such a risk? Because it is the only way to grow spiritually.
We experience mutuality and sympathy in genuine fellowship. Mutuality is the art of giving and receiving. It's depending on each other. Mutuality is the heart of fellowship: building reciprocal relationships, sharing responsibilities, and helping each other. Sympathy is understanding and affirming someone's feelings. It meets two fundamental human needs: the need to be understood and the need to have your feelings validated. Sympathy says, "I know what you're going through and what you feel is neither strange nor crazy." Sympathy is entering in and sharing the pain.
The Purpose-Driven Life - Day 18
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
It's not about me. ....everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. Colossians 1:16
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