The Truth about Fellowship

 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (I John 1)

God is Big on Truth.  John brings that out in both his Gospel and his letters.  The truth is: we all long for true fellowship.  The fact is we often settle for a lie when it comes to fellowship.  True fellowship is found in relationship with the Father and the Son, and thereby, with one another.  As stated in an earlier blog - there is a false fellowship - the fellowship of darkness, where everyone feels a part of the same group: we approve of one another's sin, thus allowing our own.  But deep down, we know that is not true fellowship; we do not want anyone to know the real "me" - it is too shameful, dark, and fearful.  So we try to deceive others and end up deceiving ourselves.  True fellowship allows for total truth, because when we "come clean", and accept forgiveness, we find true fellowship.  If we don't, we miss out.  This is the context of verse 9 - one of the most quoted verses of scripture.  It is not a license to sin, but a proclamation and promise of one who has found forgiveness.  Have you?