A further purpose of the First Epistle of John is to reprove those Christians who accommodate world philosophy and practices in their churches, in their Christian faith and in their style of life. Such was Gnostic philosophy and beliefs. Basically, Gnosticism rejects the concept of special creation by the transcendent God of the Bible, and either the true deity or true humanity of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus John put strong emphasis on the fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. John directing attention to Christ’s divinity, incarnation, saving death, and intercessory ministry. And to reassure his reader in legitimacy of his Epistle, in the beginning of his letter he reminds about his, and dozens of others, eye-witnessing experience.
Scripture
3 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. -- 1 John 1:3 KJV
Observation
Here John moved to proclaim what he and other apostles have seen with their own eyes, have heard with their own ears from Jesus Himself, and have touch with their own hands: “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you“. The purpose of his proclamation is not mere “that ye also may have fellowship with us“, but more deeper. Beside being companions and being bond together in the proclamation of the gospel message what they have received from Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20 – The Great Commission), John offers believers’ communion with the Holy Trinity – “truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ“. Such fellowship is personal communion with the Father through the only one mediator – His Son Jesus Christ.
The richness of this message in manifold and starts from being a true believer in Christ. Further in his Epistle (see 1 John 1:5-10), John compares a true Christ believer with false ones: “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth“.
Application
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
- In your day-to-day life what philosophy directs you?
- Are you truthful in Christ Jesus?
- How does your fellowship with other believers look like?
- How does your fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ look like?
- Does your Christian life bond you together with your fellow Christians and the Lord God in one communion?
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for the fellowship with You and with Your Son Jesus Christ through the the Holy Spirit. We thank you Lord that we as Christians bond together in Jesus Christ. We pray that our communion with You and with each other will be as strong as the Trinity. We pray that the Holy Spirit will move us to proclaim the gospel to the world for the furtherance of Your Kingdom and for Your Glory.
In Jesus name we pray. Amen