Fellowship With Us 1 Jn 1:3 CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

John wrote this first epistle primarily to declare Jesus to us.  He desired that we might have fellowship together with other believers and with the Father and his Son.  His object is that our joy might be full.  John wrote, “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,” [1 Jn 1:3-4].  With this context in mind, let’s see what is required for our fellowship with God and his children and for our fullness of joy.

Walk in the light – 1 Jn 1:5; 1 Jn 2:2 – God is light and so we are not going to have fellowship with him in darkness [Jn 1:5-10; Jn 3:18-21].  And we are not going to have fellowship with his other children who are walking in light [Eph 5:8-14].  Walking in his light involves not yielding to sin and confessing our sins when we do, 1 Jn 1:9.

Keep his commandments – 1 Jn 2:3-7 – we should walk as he walked.  Jesus never did anything contrary to the law.  So there is no liberty in Christ apart from his commands and words [Rom 10:4].  The two main commands are are found in 1 Jn 3:23.  There is an idea today that your liberty in Christ allows you to live above the law or without the law.  However, according to Jas 1:25 and Rom 7:25 this is not true.  Your fellowship with Jesus will be consistent with the law; not ever contrary to it.

Love the brethren – 1 Jn 2:8-14 – notice the connection to the light in chapter 1.  If you don’t love your brother you are in darkness.  Our brothers have their sins forgiven, they know Jesus [from the beginning], they know the Father, they have overcome the wicked one, and the word abides in them.  Our love for them is described in 1 Jn 3:16-18 and 1 Jn 4:20-21.  When you are walking in darkness rather than the light and not keeping his commandments, the trouble with your fellowship with your brothers in Christ is not their problem but yours.

Conclusion: Your fellowship with the Father, Jesus and your brothers in Christ and your joy in the Lord are all dependent upon you walking in the light, keeping his commandments and loving your brothers in Christ.