Everything has a point. The ultimate point of the Bible is to provide a foundation needed to restore a fallen and sinful human to a holy and unchanging God. This section of the lesson is called The Pointe because of the picture. Above all else, this stands the tallest. This is what you should see when you look at this topic.
What does the Christian want to say about this issue? How can it be said in such a way that no one will miss the Pointe?
Biblical fellowship is more than just a really good friendship. It is an intimate relationship between Christians because of their belief system – because of their worldview. Its foundation of beliefs gives them things in common, more than even what draws a physical family together. The early Christians understood the concept. They had all things in common (Acts 2:44) to the point they didn’t even feel ownership of the things that were considered their own property.
The Father provides an example of what perfect fellowship should be.
One God
Jesus said, “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 ESV). He affirmed it on several occasions, but He stated it clearly following an explanation that He was the Good Shepherd, the door to God’s ultimate green pasture.
We don’t talk like that – even about our own father. People will say, “Oh! She is just like her dad.” We speak of similar characteristics when we describe ourselves, but we don’t say, “Dad and I are one.” But Jesus did, and He did so for a reason. “One” meant more then, and now, than just a singular unit.
The Jewish people understood monotheism, a belief in one God. In a world of many gods, polytheism, people of faith realized there could only be one true God, and that He was a jealous God. The centerpiece of Jewish faith, of daily morning and evening prayers, rests in the Shema (Hebrew שְׁמַע “hear” pronounced “shuh-MAH” or “SHMAH”). It is recited at the powerful end of the final prayer of Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the year. Traditionally, it is used as the last words before death. The faithful Jew will utter it with the hand placed over the eyes.
“Hear Oh Israel, the Lord your God is One God. You will have no other gods before Me.”
Do you understand why the faithful Jew had so much trouble accepting the teachings of Jesus? “You cannot be one with the Father. There is only one God.”
Never Alone
So says our logical human mind. But God was never alone. There was always perfect fellowship. There was fellowship because God is One. And then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26 ESV). Not royal plurality reserved for earthly kings and queens, but royal reality reserved for the Creator of the universes. He created humans in that very image.
“It is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18 ESV).