Fellowship can be described as 'fellows agreeing to work together on the same ship'. They share the joys and sorrows of the journey, but are equally convinced about the destination and confident in the ship's master. Our English word mirrors the Greek, meaning 'people who share or invest together in a joint enterprise'. Paul had just encouraged fellowship (2 Corinthians 6:1,11-13), because it is right for God's people to work together with Him.

However, there was a problem in Corinth. The believers were becoming emmeshed with false teachers, who Paul described as servants of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Their association was disastrously flawed. How could true believers in Jesus work with the agents of Satan. They have a different destination and master; they are not even on the same spiritual 'ship'. Other imposters wanted believers to accept pagan gods, temples and religious practices. Again, there could be no compatible fellowship.

Deuteronomy 22:9-11 identifies the principle of not mixing things which are unequal. Jesus referred to it in Luke 5:36-39. Here, Paul is adamant. You cannot go into a ministry partnership with somebody who does not share your convictions about Jesus, the gospel, heaven and hell. Stemming from those come convictions about worship, the authority of Scripture, headship, and personal behaviour. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they could not be the 'light of the world' (Matthew 5:14) if they allowed darkness to cover them. In the same way that God told His people to leave Egypt (Leviticus 26:12-13), so Paul urged the church to leave compromise behind, stopping the pretence of fellowship where it did not exist.

The principle is centred on God's holiness and righteousness. We, who have submitted to the Lordship of Christ, cannot say that God's holiness does not matter, or accept a different gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4). We must make a choice. If we deny Christ's supremacy, He will deny knowing us (Matthew 10:33). We cannot serve two masters or be motivated by two different eternal destinations (Matthew 6:24). The same principle applies in marriage, home-making and, some would say, business partnerships. This is serious food for thought, and more than thought – decision and action – so that we can honour the Lord and grow in our fellowship with Him.