Leviticus 6:2 King James Version (KJV) If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the Lord, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;

Acts 2:42 English Standard Version (ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Returning once again to choices in translations we will see that the KJV use the word fellowship first in Leviticus 6:2 while the ESV does not use the word until Acts 2:42. So let us break down these usages into basic definitions.

The KJV definition in Leviticus means pledge, security, deposit.

The ESV definition in Acts means communication, to share.

It would seem that the Old Testament usage in the KJV is to be taken with a high degree of seriousness. To violate the pledge, security or deposit is seen as a trespass against the Lord.

The New Testament usage in the ESV there is a sense of sharing, hence the breaking of bread and prayers. There is nothing serious mentioned beyond the word devoted.

Absent from the New Testament is a sense of violation. Sin has already been dealt with for those of us that have accepted Jesus Christ into our hearts. There is no violation associated with the strength of devotion that we exert in these relationships.

To break down these two elements to the bare essentials, the OT violation is against the law while a NT violation is against the love that abides in each of us. There are serious consequences for violating the OT law. The only consequence of a violation in the NT is in relationship with our Lord. We as disciples of the Lord are asked to love one another.

How seriously we establish NT fellowship is a mirror image of our relationship with our Lord.

How seriously we establish OT fellowship is a mirror image of our sins against our Lord.

Psalm 37:23-24 English Standard Version

²³ The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way; ²⁴ though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.

Yesterday was an exercise in humor. Some will laugh at the intentional errors of spelling and word selection. Others may be annoyed. Some might not even notice.

If we consider ourselves to be a serious person about serious subjects we are only allowing others to see just one side of ourselves. Fellowship is about sharing self and using every part of our makeup to allow others to relate to a real person and not a robot. Being real with people can only enhance our relationships and allow others access into all of our thoughts and ways.

There is a unique thought that can arise in others if all they see is one side of a person. They will instinctively feel that person is two faced. What is hidden that cannot be shown? Our natural instinct is to put our best foot forward. We instinctively want to be liked even if we feel unworthy of love. Nothing is as lonely as being in a crowd and feeling alone.

Being the answer man in every bible study does not allow others the opportunity to express themselves. If we do not allow others the freedom to be themselves how can we expect to love them for who they are in truth. No one in a group setting should feel like their personal thoughts are unwanted.

The passage provided today is about navigating those slippery slopes. Another way of saying it is that a person who does not stumble is not walking. We all want to walk with Christ. He is perfect, we are not. We will occasionally slip. If we are close to someone, we will see they have reached out to keep us from falling face first.

That is a sign of good fellowship.