There can be no greater fellowship enjoyed than fellowship with God and His children. And in fact, it is that very topic that John declares is the purpose with which he writes his first general epistle: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ” (I John 1:3). About this grand association Taylor expounded: “This beautiful fellowship reaches up with a claim on Deity; it reaches out with a claim upon all the faithful children of God.” While the relationships we may enjoy with friends, co-workers, and even family will one day pass away with this frail earth, the relationship we enjoy with God and His children will last forever. There is no greater position in which we could be than in their fellowship. The lingering question, though, might be, “How can I enjoy that type of fellowship?” In answer to that question we turn to John.
Unlike most of the other epistles of the New Testament, John does not directly identify those whom he is addressing in the first few verses. It is likely, though, given certain aspects of the text that John was writing to Christians in general, whomsoever would read. For instance, in I John 2:1, John addresses his readers as his “little children” and identifies himself with them by saying “we have an advocate with the Father…” Elsewhere he addressed them as little children again (2:18,28;3:7,18;4:4;5:21), but also as beloved (3:2,21;4:1,7,11). All of these point to the same conclusion that he was writing to Christians, and it is very important to keep that context in mind when considering the meaning of certain key verses in the book. Also, considering his warning against idolatry (5:21), it is likely that there were strong influences touching the church at the time, and thus in need of reminders concerning the great faith they shared.
First, John reminds them of how they could remain certain of their fellowship with God. There is one thing that can separate us from our loving God and that is sin: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (I John 1:6). But living in a world of sin to which sometimes we yield, how can we remain certain that we are continually in fellowship with God? John goes on in the next several verses to explain how we can be cleansed from the blemish of sin and maintain our association with the Lord. He says in I John 1:9 that, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Then he goes on to explain how that is possible because “if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the propitiation for our sins” (I John 2:1-2). Thus, even though we live in an uncertain world, we can be certain of our fellowship with God because of the sacrifice of our loving Savior.
Second, John warns them of opponents and dangers to their fellowship with God. Since even the lifetime of Christ there have been those who were “antichrist” desperately trying to upset the allegiance of Christians, and it was no different in John’s day or in ours. Who is “antichrist?” John identifies them by saying, “Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son” (I John 2:22). There is no single individual to which we can turn and say they are the antichrist of whom John spoke because all who deny Christ are antichrist. And then John identifies the means by which we can overcome the powerful influence of those antichrists. “Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father” (I John 2:24). Thus, remember the truth and abide in the truth and we shall abide in Christ.
Then, third, John reminds them of the love reciprocated in this divine fellowship. God’s love toward man is quite evident from the symbol of that love. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us” (I John 3:16). And this great love enjoyed in fellowship with God is something that should obviously be reciprocated from us to God, but is something also that should be shown to each who is likewise in fellowship with God. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). This is not an optional matter, to say that we can love God but not the brethren. For John went on to say “he that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I John 4:8). We cannot be connected to God and yet not be loving toward all, for that contradicts God’s very nature. We must love for we are loved.
Our fellowship with God is the single most important relationship we can have, and thus one that must be maintained no matter the cost. What might be the cost, though? Love, believe, and obey; and thereby enjoy this divine fellowship.