Fellowship with God

Fellowship with God When Jesus came to earth, he did not come simply to live a life, but he came to give life. The first letter of John discusses the nature of this life in greater detail. The letter dives into this discussion, providing details of the kind of life God offers us through His Son Jesus Christ. John reminds us that: our joy may be full (1 John 1:4); that we may not sin (1 John 2:1); that we may know that we have eternal life (1 John 5:13); that we may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13) In today's reading in particular, John reminds of the "Word of Life", heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon, handed. All these remind us that this word was real, in the flesh. In other words, referencing Jesus. John defines eternal life, which is with the father. A life which Jesus has. It is the same life that we can possess if we truly believe in the name of the Son of God. And we are not alone in our faith. That through fellowship with other believers, through our sharing with each other, our joy will be fulfilled. From 1 John 1:1-4, we learn that the fullness of joy comes only when we are in fellowship with the Father and the Son. Only then do we have the eternal life which was first shown to us through Jesus Himself, and now only given through Jesus. So how to do have fellowship with God? God is light. Light is often used to describe what is good, righteous and true. God must always be thought of in this was. In Him, there is not darkness at all. God never condones sin, never excusing it in any way. John concludes that fellowship with God requires an advocate. We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous. The word advocate literally means "to call to one's side to one's aid". It hints about the ability to give us help. Jesus is the perfect advocate. You and I are far from perfect, we are naturally alienated from God. But since Jesus is without sin, he can and does advocate for us. Jesus understands our circumstances completely. John makes it clear that we can have fellowship with God, and enjoy the life that provides fullness of joy. We must remember not to walk in darkness, but walk in the light of God's goodness, righteousness, and truth. We need to admit that we have sinned, and do sin. We need to utilize our "advocate", Jesus Christ, who God provided to take away our sins. Diving Deeper Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31