1 John 1 Lesson

FELLOWSHIP DEFINED

Fellowship is an important part of being a Christian, and a common theme in 1 John Chapter 1. We will begin today’s lesson by defining the word fellowship. According to bible.org:

Fellowship means, “The sharing together in a common life with other believers through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ .” – bible.org.

Using our definition from above, we will divide today’s lesson into three parts:

1. A common life,
2. Our relationship with God,
3. Thanks to Jesus.

A COMMON LIFE

Followers of Jesus have many things in common. For example:

• We pray,
• We sing,
• We study the Bible. 

There are many things that believers have in common, and all of them are important.  But there is a more important question that we need to ask ourselves . . .

What SHOULD believers have in common?

The Apostle John wrote:

• “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:5-7.

As Christians, one of the most important things that we should have in common is a desire to “walk in the light,” not darkness.  This allows us to have fellowshipwith one another.  The light that John is referring to in this scripture is God. 

The most important thing that Christians have in common is our relationship with God.  It is this relationship that allows us to have fellowship with one another. 

OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

What is it about our relationship with God that allows us to have fellowship? The answer to that question is that there is a central truth that those in fellowship with God believe.  This truth is that God is light .  We are not following a flawed god or one with questionable morals.  We are following the only true and living God!  We are following the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. – Mathew 22:32, Exodus 3:6.

In his first epistle, John wrote:

• “God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” – 1 John 1:5.

Christian fellowship is founded on a common belief in God.  As we follow God together, we are all headed in the same direction.  To put it another way, we are all headed towards The Light.    

This does not mean that we are without sin.  Nothing could be farther from the truth!  The Bible is clear that all of us are sinners:

• “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3.    

What it does mean is that those in fellowship with God are all heading in the same direction, into the Light, not darkness.  What we have in common is our desire to be led by God, and to follow His plan for our lives.  And w hat we have in common is far more important than any differences that we might have.   For those who walk in the Light, God is the priority, and they live their lives to glorify Him and to serve others.

Consider the following verse:

• “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another.” – 1 John 1:6-7.

When we sin, God asks us to confess our sin.  When we do, God will do two things:

1. He will forgive our sins,
2. He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

• “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.

It is important to note that this scripture does not say that SOMEof our sins are forgiven, it says ALLof them are. 

This immeasurable grace is only possible because of the blood that was shed by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  He paid the price for our sins once and for all. 

• “We have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all time.” – Hebrews 10:10.

THANKS TO JESUS

Sin is all around us, and Satan is on the attack!  Peter warned us of this in his first epistle:

• “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8. 

Despite our best efforts, we are all going to sin.  When we do, only the blood of Jesus keeps us in fellowship with God and therefore, one another.  Our dependence on Jesus is highlighted in the following four scriptures:

1. “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is being poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” - Mathew 26:28,
2. “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace.” - Ephesians 1:7,
3. “And He Himself brought our sins in His body up on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed.” - 1 Peter 2:24,
4. “Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.” - Romans 8:1.

The sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross is beyond words.  His death, burial, and resurrection are the cornerstone of Christianity and the greatest events in the history of the world!  Jesus is aptly called our, “Lord and Savior,” because He is the only one that can make us right with God when we sin.

CONCLUSION

Being in fellowship with God and one another is something to be cherished and not to be taken lightly.  Life will challenge us; Satan will tempt us, and we will stumble despite our best intentions.  We all need the strength that we receive through fellowship to allow us to continue to walk toward the Light. 

We will end today’s lesson with the following scripture which highlights the importance of fellowship:

• “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up!  Furthermore, if two lie down together they keep warm, but how can one be warm alone?  And if one can overpower him who is alone, two can resist him. A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-12.