HIGHLIGHT
1 John 1:7 (ESV): 7 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 cleanses us from all sin.
EXPLAIN
John stated that the purpose of this letter was to proclaim what he had seen and heard when he was with Jesus so that his readers might have fellowship with them and with the Father and Son.
He then continued with this theme of fellowship, making it a truth statement. If we say we have fellowship with God but walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as God is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
In this chapter then we see God’s desire for fellowship, both with us (our relationship restored with him) and also for us (the community of Church).
APPLY
In the western world individualism is very much part of our culture. Yet the coronavirus pandemic and the attempts by governments to stop it seem to have awaken us to our need for fellowship with one another.
Hopefully, our expressed desire for fellowship is not merely to worship in the building we refer to as “church”, but to enjoy the fellowship of the local Church – loving, serving, and doing life together with other followers of Jesus.
I remember my first job as a teenager. I did not work Sundays, but I often worked Wednesday evenings and could not attend our church’s prayer meeting. It seemed such a long time between Sundays. I missed the fellowship of my church dearly.
Yet I fear today that we may not value that connection with brothers and sisters in Christ like we once did.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, thank you for creating us with the need and desire for fellowship. Thank you for executing your great plan of redemption whereby we might be restored in fellowship with you, but also enjoy fellowship with your children. Help us to value the fellowship of the Church. May we each live, laugh, and love a local group of brothers and sisters in Christ together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.