Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Eccl 4:9-10

What is a friend? There are many types of friends in a general sense. Some are known as Facebook friends, friends on social media, friends at work, neighborhood friends, childhood friends, close friends, dear friends, and the list continues. Some friends may be invited, involved, share interests, while others are excluded and dismissed. In the scripture passage we find something greater than mere friends, but a deeper connection in fellowship. Fellows have things in common. They are connected companions because “two are better than one” and strive together for things in common. Fellows are present to involve and invest their strength and resources for the aid of others to recover, be restored, and redeem others when fallen in need. They “lift up his fellow…to help him up.” Fellows have compassion and treat others with brotherly love. The fellow with the most need may be the neighbor right next door. Jesus illustrated the compassion and care provided to a man fallen among thieves, stripped, and left for dead (Lk 10:30-36). He called him neighbor. The one who saw him, lifted him, and helped him was the fellow who loved God with all his being (Lk 10:27) and had compassion for the man. Christ instructed His disciples that they would be known by the love they have for one another (Jn 13:35). He called them friends, told them that “greater love has no one…than to lay down one’s life for his friend” (Jn 15:13) and went directly to Calvary’s cross to lay down His life for the sin of man. What a fellow! What a love! My friend, when the “love of Christ compels us” (2 Cor 5:14) into fellowship with another, to have compassion for one another and “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself” (Lk 10”27) it is in these things that “two are better than one.” Father, thank You for Your fellowship and the fellowship of believers. Lead and guide us in the Spirit truth and love, that we might know the unity of the faith that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and share His love in a fallen world. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.