Let’s read 1 John 1:1-7, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete. This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him, there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
What are these verses saying? How does this relate to following Jesus?
How many times does John use the word fellowship? Four times John mentions fellowship.
Did you grow up in church? Did your church schedule fellowship time? I did! Once a month, we would have a potluck. Yes, our fellowship times revolved around food. Did yours? Did this encourage fellowship time?
Let’s look at what fellowship means. According to Dictionary.com, fellowship means a friendly relationship; companionship: the fellowship of father and son. A community of interest, feeling, etc. communion, as between members of the same church.
The Greek word is Koinonia. It means sharing in the life of another. The word means the fullest possible partnership and relationship with God and other believers. Having this kind of fellowship with God comes from a personal encounter with the living Christ. It is surrendering to Him as Lord of our lives. It is a sweet, intimate love relationship with God as we follow Jesus. We have this kind of fellowship with other believers also.
Each day we follow Jesus and spend time with Him; our fellowship grows. As we follow Jesus and love him more, we will want to share Him with others. We see each other come into fellowship with our triune God; our joy is complete.
How is your relationship with God? How is your fellowship with other believers? Do you value your fellowship with other believers as much as you value your fellowship with God?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for spending time with each of us. I pray that we live to have true fellowship with you each day. I pray that we will have true fellowship with you each day.
In Jesus Name
Amen
