1 st John 1:3-7
By Pastor Mike Sanders
“that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with
us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1Jn 1:3 NKJV).
The word fellowship comes from the Greek word koinonia, which means “to share together
with.” Fellowship is about being connected and sharing something meaningful with others and a
sense of friendship and closeness. It often involves mutual trust, respect, and support. The Bible
teaches us that “…we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25 NKJV)
We belong together in God’s family. This means that as Christians, we are to look out for each
other’s spiritual welfare, bear one another’s burdens, forgive one another, and to love one another.
We should strive to build relationships that honor the Lord and bring glory to His name.
This is what our fellowship is all about. The gathering of the church is not to be a place where
we just sit, learn, and leave. Instead, it’s an opportunity to worship, fellowship, and grow in our
faith together.
We fellowship in Truth. Jesus is the truth. The foundation of all true fellowship is the Lord Jesus
Christ. We believe that Jesus is the only source of genuine fellowship and that fellowship in Him
is the only way to find true and lasting joy and peace.
We cannot claim to have fellowship with God and others while walking (habitually living) in the
darkness. For instance, if a person is known to be living in sin and not repenting, it’s impossible
to have fellowship with God or other believers. The Bible reminds us, “Do not be bound together
with unbelievers; for what partnership has righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has
light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NASB).
Therefore, the way back to true fellowship with God is through confession and repentance of our
sins. May God grant each of us humble and honest hearts before Christ.