What does "fellowship with Him" mean in the context of 1 John 1:6? Setting the Scene • 1 John was written “so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). • Verse 6 gives a test of authenticity: “If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth” (1 John 1:6). • “Him” refers to God the Father and, by extension, His Son, since their fellowship is inseparable (vv. 3–4). Key Phrase: “Fellowship with Him” • κοινωνία (koinōnia) = sharing, partnership, intimate communion. • More than casual relationship; it is living participation in God’s own life. • Comparable to Jesus’ “abide in Me” (John 15:4). Layers of Meaning 1. Relational Union – We are brought into God’s family through the new birth (John 1:12–13). 2. Ongoing Communion – Continuous, conscious enjoyment of His presence (Psalm 16:11). 3. Moral Alignment – Sharing His character; He is “light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Biblical Cross-References • John 17:21 — “That all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You.” • 2 Corinthians 6:14 — “What fellowship can light have with darkness?” • Amos 3:3 — “Can two walk together without agreeing where to go?” Walking in the Light vs. Darkness • Light = truth, purity, obedience, love (1 John 2:10). • Darkness = sin, falsehood, rebellion (John 3:19–20). • Claiming fellowship while persisting in unrepentant sin proves the claim false. • Genuine fellowship produces: – Confession of sin (1 John 1:9). – Obedience to His commands (1 John 2:3–6). – Love for fellow believers (1 John 3:14). Practical Outworking Today • Daily abide in Scripture; His Word structures our communion (John 15:7). • Consistent confession keeps channels clear (1 John 1:9). • Choose deeds that match the Light—integrity, purity, compassion. • Cultivate corporate fellowship; walking in the light joins us to “one another” (1 John 1:7). Summary Takeaways • “Fellowship with Him” = sharing God’s life, enjoying His presence, and reflecting His character. • It is verified not by words but by a lifestyle aligned with God’s light. • Real fellowship delights in truth, rejects darkness, and bears fruit that testifies we truly walk with Him. |
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