Sharper Than Iron

Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.  But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.  Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?  Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.  And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes: 9-12 NKJV

It is interesting that part of the definition for the word fellowship is "Friendly association."  We've all heard of or been associated with the idea of christian fellowship at one time  of another.  Some pulpit pounders try to make it sound alot more complicated than it actually is.  For when we're talking about fellowship, we're simply talking about a group of like minded people gathering together in companionship.  Of course, this can take place with as few as two people as well.  There is no special anointing, blessing or training needed for christian fellowship, just making oneself available to interact with others.  To share life with others.  In fact, I'll go out on a limb and say that fellowship is not entirely a christian doctrine or practice.  For people have been gathering together in groups socially for thousands of years.  Where one might consider a church potluck to be fellowship, someone else might engage in fellowship with a few friends at a Saturday University of Oregon football game to watch the Ducks win yet another game (No bias here of course).  

As  iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his freind.
Proverbs 27:17 NKJV

My mother had a great gift for engaging others socially.   She would often tell me that she considered this an honor.  Whether she was visiting with friends after church, or calling people who were asking for prayer, my mother was often described as a "Prayer warrior."  These are people who have a true gift for fellowship.  I believe that we all have this desire in our heart.  After all, our Lord created us for fellowship with him.  It's not that far of a stretch to say that if we were created for fellowship with God, that we have that ability with each other as well.  We humans have often been described as social creatures.  That craving for the company of others is embedded is us.   Unless you're a sociopath, but in that case you probably desire fellowship for different reasons altogether.  The point being, we were created for fellowship with God AND each other.
A few years ago, there were a series of Mens Conferences refered to as Iron Sharpens Iron.  A definition I ran across for the word Countenance refers to this as the act of "Encouraging, to favor or to approve."  Using this definition, we can see how the company of a trusted friend can uplift us in so many ways.  It doesn't even need to be men.  For my mother had many friends who she fellowshipped with on a regular basis.  Whether man or woman, the value of the fellowship of a few trusted friends is priceless.  Myself, I have had the honor of the fellowship of a few godly men in my life who have had a great influence on how much I've grown in Christ.  For this I am grateful.  We should never underestimate the value of a trusted friend.

~Scott~