I was dwelling on the two parts of our redemption the other day: relationship and fellowship. Not much can be done about the relationship part. "For by one Spirit are you all baptized into one body" (1 Cor. 12). Once we express our will to be redeemed, the redemption process is out of our hands. It is the Lord's doings. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us" (Titus 3:5).

The part of our redemption that I was thinking about was fellowship. Fellowship is a graduated experience. For instance, I could have a brother in California whom I never see. He is forever my brother (not my doings or his, but our father's) in relationship. But we have no fellowship. Let's say he returns to Oklahoma, to a town near me. We can renew our fellowship. It is by our mutual choice. The closeness of our fellowship is determined by us.

Romans 12:1,2 seems to me to be all about fellowship. "Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind." The more we bring our minds in line with the Word of God, the greater is our fellowship with him. As we think like He thinks, act like He acts, and speak like He speaks, we grow closer. "Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you" (James 4:8). It may not be easy, but it certainly is worthwhile.

"Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His (relationship),' and, 'Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity (fellowship)'" (2 Tim. 2:19).