John doesn’t make segregation concerning God the Father, God the Son, and the people of God. When he speaks of the children of the Lord, he speaks as if all are one. Stop and consider our fellowship.
I John 1:1 “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
What do we have as fellowship? Is it shaking hands and talking? Yes, but these are only gestures, an outward expression. This is not uncommon in social circles. Everyone seeks company of others, and it’s evident in associations, clubs, fraternities, and meetings. For the Christian, fellowship is more than just being social. Our fellowship is gathering, a togetherness that is much more. It’s an interesting power and provides comfort, security, safety, peace and fulfillment not found otherwise. It happens with each other as children of God. It’s a privilege to be part of it.
When we see each other here or in Walmart or even speaking on the phone, we feel it; it’s between people and people and their God. It’s not a drawing away, but drawn to a glorious family. We’re not just a child of God but children and brothers and sisters in the Lord. If the church was taken away, we’d still have fellowship. If our Bibles were taken away, it’s still in our hearts. The Lord is what maintains our fellowship.
What if our experience was to come to church, sit alone, and speak to no one? Where would we be with that? It would only be religion in which being alone is part of the practice of it. We have a unique fellowship. Verses 1 and 2 say “that which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us.” John said it changed them. It turned them around and now he was bearing that witness. Jesus called John, James, Peter and Andrew; they knew each other as fellow fishermen, but they had never been bound as when they became one in spirit, heart, and soul. through following Christ. It was through God and his Son. They had seen him, heard him, and handled him and knew Jesus was the Son of God. He manifested himself to them and John welcomed them into that fellowship.
Now it’s 2,000 years later. We have that same fellowship; we take it for granted every now and then. Having a Christian brother or sister is more than having a friend. There is a kindred spirit. When we shake hands or walk together, we’re not alone. Satan hates this and would love to destroy the bond of our love. As long as we stay in fellowship with God we are like a chain intertwined; the devil can’t break it. Fellowship has more power and potential than we realize.
When the lights are on here it is a witness to the community. We are the children of light sticking together like candles. Let’s put our candles together. If there is darkness about us or between us, there is no fellowship. We can’t be perfect, but we can be in fellowship with God; our fellowship can walk in the light because the Father and Son are perfect. Darkness does not have to exist between us or God.
Verses 3 and 4 say “that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.” Our happiness is not in material things; it’s fellowship with each other and Jesus that makes us happy. It’s good to be in and stay in fellowship with each other. We’re only as close to God as we are each other.
Let God draw us tight and then pull us close to him. Let’s be close together.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 