Relationships can be tough. Some people are just hard to get along with. And then there’s all those times we put our foot in it too. Say the wrong things, hurt someone’s feelings. When it comes to fellowship with God we struggle too. Sometimes we are full of doubts and feel so distant from Him. These are the issues that John addresses right at the start of his first epistle, and at the start of our 1,2 and 3 John Scripture Plan for this month: How to fellowship with God and others.

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The Apostle John was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, one of only a few believers to witness the crucifixion, and by the time he wrote his epistles he was probably the only disciple still alive. Fellowship with God and others was a frequent topic for John, both in his Gospel and in his letters. We’ll be reading through his letters together in our 1, 2 and 3 John Scripture Plan for July, so if you haven’t already downloaded the Scripture Plan or purchased your study guide then take a moment to do that now.

John wastes no time in getting to the point of his letter.  He is writing to announce the message of eternal life in the Father, revealed through Christ, so that they may have fellowship with each other, God and Christ. And this, John writes, will make his joy complete. (see 1 John 1:3-4)

So, how do we truly love others? How does the message of Christ help us to fellowship with God and others? 

John addresses this in the verses we are covering in our first week of the reading plan (1 John 1:1-2:14), so let’s get into it and see what he says!

In the Guided Study I noted that this verse tells us two things about God’s character: he is faithful and just.

God has promised that he will love us and forgive us (Deuteronomy 7:9; Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Isaiah 53:10-12). And it is because he is faithful to his promises that he will do it. All we have to do is confess our sins.

At the start of chapter two John explains how this can be.

we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

1 John 2:1-2

 These verses contain two words which would be great for a word study:

• Atoning Sacrifice (Greek  hilasmos, sometimes translated propitiation) Atonement and propitiation are not words we use every day, so don’t get bogged down with them. It basically means that Jesus died for our sins; he was the sacrifice that took our place. (see Leviticus 16:30 and Romans 3:25)
• Advocate (Greek paraklētos, sometimes translated helper, counsellor or comforter)- Jesus is pleading our case against God for the pardon of our sins.

John also uses the word paraklētos four times in his Gospel, where Jesus uses it to refer to the Holy Spirit. We are not only made righteous when we confess because Jesus has forgiven the sins we have committed, but confession opens us to the work of the Holy Spirit within us to remove the power of sin and desires.

Which brings us to our third step in our journey to better fellowship with God and others.

3. Be obedient

With the help of Christ in us we are able to keep his commands. In fact, our obedience shows our commitment to a relationship with him (John 15:10 ‘If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.’)

John later explains that these commands are believing in Jesus and loving one another (1 John 3:23) so this should not be too big a task, considering what he has done for us!

4. Love others

It is only through Christ in us that we are able to fully love others and have true fellowship with them. We cannot be in the light if we hate our fellow believers.

The new commandment is to love as Christ loved, and as we do this God’s love is perfected in us (1 John 2:5), it transforms us, resulting in us loving others. We live as Christ lived.

As we draw closer to God it is easier to love others. If we are struggling to love our fellow believers, or recognise that we are not being loving in our thoughts or actions, we need to confess this to God and ask for his help. (Rather than asking Him to change the other person!)

In what areas are you struggling in your relationship with God or other believers? Which of the steps described above do you think you need to work on?

Be reassured

John reassures his readers that he is confident of their salvation. This is a message they have already heard. He addresses both young and old (either literally, or perhaps those who are new and mature in the faith) of four things that should give them confidence in their salvation:

• They know God
• Their sins are forgiven
• They have overcome evil
• God lives in them.

Do you need to be reassured in one of these areas?

God’s is greater than any power. You are strong – you have overcome evil and stand for what is right. Now use that strength and power to love God in return, and to extend that love to others. See you next week for more from John about love.