Conditions of Fellowship
1 John 1, 2
1 John 1, 2
The Fellowship of Christ
The Source of Fellowship
Genesis 1:1, 2, 26
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth
Taking a look at Genesis 1:1, 2, 26 we are actually transporting ourselves back into a time when there was nothing, nothing but God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Without going into a huge discussion as to whether there was just one God or three gods, we will just say at this moment that God existed in three Persons. The existence of God by His own nature was Unity, Communion, and Fellowship even before the world itself had been created.
Reading through Genesis 1, John 1, and Revelation 1 while comparing it to our study today and its text of 1 John 1 and then for good measure we through in verses like John 1:12, John 3:16 and John 10:9-10 we begin to recognize that life, all life has existed eternally with God, and that our believing in God the Son (Jesus Christ) will give us power to become a son of God.
Our text for this study refers to the Word of Life that was seen with the author’s eyes, and was touched by his hands. This shows that this is no ordinary word, book, etc…. The Word of Life as described here in 1 John 1:1 and in John 1:1 indicates something far more intriguing than some inanimate word. What we see is a Person (yes, even part of the Godhead) that is known and understood as the Word. It is when He speaks that things happen and specifically in regards to the study today, when He speaks life into the heart and soul of all who have believed on his name, life will begin to bloom for an eternity.
As a son or daughter of God we now have access to an eternal life which can be experienced here in this life or in the future.
Eternal life is not necessarily a physically eternal life, but is spiritual. The course of all mankind shall indeed come upon us and our bodies shall lie beneath the ground until that great day when our Savior shall return in His Glory and our bodies though they be decayed shall be lifted to meet our spirits in the air!
John 1:12
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 10:9-10
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The Webster definition of fellowship is as follows:
1
: companionship, company
2
a : community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience
b : the state of being a fellow or associate
3
: a company of equals or friends : association
4
: the quality or state of being comradely
5
obsolete : membership, partnership
6
a : the position of a fellow (as of a university)
b : the stipend of a fellow
c : a foundation for the providing of such a stipend
1
: companionship, company
2
a : community of interest, activity, feeling, or experience
b : the state of being a fellow or associate
3
: a company of equals or friends : association
4
: the quality or state of being comradely
5
obsolete : membership, partnership
6
a : the position of a fellow (as of a university)
b : the stipend of a fellow
c : a foundation for the providing of such a stipend
Biblical Fellowship is defined by a deep relationship with one another, not just based on standards accepted by society such as block parties, college frats, or even mere communication. Biblical Fellowship is a communication of your soul and spirit with another person on a deep spiritual level.
When we say that we have Fellowship with God are we just sitting down with him over a cup of morning joe with His word and reading a bit and then going away and saying, “wow, that was great”? Now don’t get me wrong, having a cup of coffee on hand while reading the Bible is not necessarily wrong, but it seems to be somewhat impersonal, especially when trying to hear what Almighty God has to say to us today.
A lot of our communication with each other is merely surface. If we even talk with each other face to face anymore, we may ask each other how we are doing, or what’s going on in your life, but to have a spiritual communion is almost unheard of in today’s churches. I believe that this is a result of our relationship with God being surface as well, we go through the motions of what seems to be expected, but our heart’s need is not really met. We just pass it off as, well sure I had my devotion today. “WHAT IS DEVOTION ANYWAY?”
The Conditions of Fellowship
Many people would get all excited about this and start spitting out Bible verses like Matthew 7:1. While it is true, we are not to be judges 1 Timothy 5:20 offers a narrative that indicates that sin must be dealt with. I have heard all kinds of justifications for sin including, “their spiritual indicator levels are not as tuned as yours”. That may be my brothers and sisters, but then what about discipleship? Do we have a plan in place for discipleship training? Are we striving to bring our brothers and sisters that are weaker in faith to a place where God’s name can be glorified through their life of holiness?
When these verses in 1 John talk about abiding in Christ, it means we are tapped into his power and authority and will walk as Jesus walked, Holy and Blameless before the Father.
So who has the greater sin? The brother who can’t get victory over his sin, or the church who refuses to acknowledge that discipleship is instituted by God for the furtherance of His Great Name?
1 John 2:4
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
Walking in Fellowship
Here are some pointers that show whether you “know” God.
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 13:35
35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1 John 2:3-12
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
9 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
There is a number of things these verses point out that are indicators of where we are in relation to our Fellowship with God or whether we really know Him.
They are as follows:
- If we have love one for another
- If we keep his commandments
- He/she will walk as Jesus walked
- He/she will have compassion on his brother/sister
- He/she will abide in the light - will not live in darkness
What does it mean to hate your brother? Does it mean for you to narrow your eyes at him every time he walks by and wish he we in another church or maybe even dead? Does hating your brother mean that you have despised him?
How is the word abideth used in 1 John 2:6?
The word abideth has the meaning of dwelling, sojourning, to stay continually, a permanent place of abode including in Christ.
We may claim to be abiding in Christ, but by analysis are we? Is abiding in Christ something that happens automatically by saying a little prayer? Are we abiding in Christ when we have obvious split focus?
The word abideth has the meaning of dwelling, sojourning, to stay continually, a permanent place of abode including in Christ.
We may claim to be abiding in Christ, but by analysis are we? Is abiding in Christ something that happens automatically by saying a little prayer? Are we abiding in Christ when we have obvious split focus?
1 John 2:6
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
True Christian Fellowship will never be reached unless we are abiding in Christ and He is our only focus!
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