Acts 2:42 “And they were continually devoting themselves to
the apostles’ teachings and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to
prayer.”
Breaking news: 14 year-old Karthik Nemmani from Texas, won yesterday’s (May 31st) 2018 National Spelling Bee with the word “koinonia.”
What? I came back
into my bedroom to listen to the morning news anchors repeating the word,
giggling while admitting they didn’t know the meaning much less the spelling of
the word. “Well, I looked it up, it means a spiritual gathering of like-minded people,”
said one newswoman.
Some words have tremendous power behind them. We hear that
every day. Twitter, a popular social media of 140 characters or less, catapults them out 24-7. We watch and see where the direct hits land and the collateral damage.
…and one 14-year old boy spells ONE word that can change the
world. Would you have known it, recognized it--have you experienced it? It is only one word, yet is speaks volumes.
Koinonia. K.o.i.n.o.n.i.a. Koinonia.
It’s Greek to me. Well, it is Greek, literally. More than
just being like-minded, “koinonia” means united for a purpose, devoted to
one another, serving one other, praying for one another, honoring one another,
encouraging one another towards love and goodness…did you catch all the “one
anothers?”
Koinonia results when a true, pure fellowship, authentic and
intimate in words and love, takes place with one another because of what Jesus Christ accomplished
for every one of us on that Cross. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself through
this word. Koinonia cannot be summed up in 140 characters, but in
continuing love and action to those who heed the call to be Christ-like and
Christ-minded. To those who do not
settle for just a salvation story, but want to break bread and trust together
for the right words to reflect His glory, koinonia moves mountains. It instills hope, brings healing and spells out the divine purpose, that together as one Body in Christ, great things in love can be accomplished. In each of us as we encourge Koinonia, we learn and grow in our walk with God...and with ONE ANOTHER.
Now
that you know how to spell koinonia, go and discover it, be a part of it, read
about it in the Acts and other books of the New Testament.
In gratefulness, Lord, I know that as a Christ follower, I was never meant to be alone in my beliefs and in my growth, but to fellowship with one another, discuss, study, pray, worship and minister together. Thank you Lord for all the opportunities to do that in Your Body of Christ and in koinonia. I hope to share these same experiences out to a broken world. They say a child shall lead them. Thank you Karthik. I pray
you too, will know the fellowship of the saints and that God will use this word
and your correct spelling of it to enlighten others to a greater calling. Amen.
I like this word that I had never heard of before, but have lived and believe in. Thanks for an enlightening post. Good to see this new one!
ReplyDeleteNice post Coleene! My introduction to koinonia was in the early 70's during the Jesus Movement. :) . . . . You and Christina will be experiencing koinonia 24/7 very, very soon!
ReplyDelete