Worse Than Hypocrites

 "If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." - I John 1:6,7

There is a great danger for those who say they have fellowship with God but live a life which practices sin. God plainly says these people liars. They are worse than just mere hypocrites. Rather than being backslidden or simply of little faith they, instead, abhor the fellowship of God, His Word, and his church. These people say they love God but are living in sin and loving it; proving they really do not know Him. They lie and truth is not in them.

Dear child of the living God, if we walk in the spirit minding holy things as God is holy then we truly have fellowship with Him. And what is sweeter than to be in good favor with God? Nothing is greater than knowing the blood of Jesus has cleansed you from all of your sin and being able to enjoy the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Remember, though, it is not because of what you have done but what Jesus did on the cross that we have this wonderful union with the Father and Son.

Beware of falling in the midst of those liars who claim to be in God's favor but are clearly living in the pleasures of sin. There are far greater pleasures provided by our holy God through the righteousness of Jesus!

Consider also: Philippians 4:8; II Corinthians 4:1-6; II Corinthians 6:14-18

God Is Light

"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all."

- I John 1:5

There is a message that needs to be delivered to all men continuously, that God is light and in him there is no darkness. On the surface we see the blessings that the purity of God provide to His children But we often overlook what that purity meant to us before conversion, and still means for the unbeliever. 

Remember, dear one, that there is no darkness in God. Because God is pure, evil cannot stand in His presence. And on the day of judgment when every knee is bent and head bowed in reverence to Him all sinners will be cast away into the Lake of Fire. This is an uncomfortable truth to many because it shows our feeble state before the Holy One. But it is truth nonetheless.

But God, in His mercy and grace, supplied His Son Jesus to be the propitiation for the sins of many. For those who are drawn to Jesus this truth is wonderful. That His righteousness will cover their sins so that they may stand in the presence of God: not of their own works or strength, but of the finished work of Jesus. Sin is seen as grievous to them and it loses all of its vain appeal in the light of God's purity. Dear saint, remember always that there is joy in the purity of God and it is ours because of our fellowship with Him.

Consider also: John 1:1-5; John 3:14-21; Acts 26:22,23

Joyfulness

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." - I John 1:4

We believers in Christ have a great peace in that the entire Bible, and specifically the first book of John, was written for us. It gives us life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It gives us comfort in being reminded that we have fellowship with God though the world hates us. And it gives us joy in Jesus who has overcome the world.

God has preserved His holy Scripture in love that we may know Him. We can always find comfort and strength in what God has revealed to us in written Word. Reading the Bible consistently is a key part of the fellowship we have in God, and our joy will not be full without it.

There aren't many things which bring more joy than a marriage and the birth of a child. These are shadows to what believers experience spiritually with Christ. At the moment of conversion we see ourselves fully incapable and Christ fully capable. We trust that His righteousness has covered our unrighteousness. At that time we are birthed into new life in spirit through faith. And in that new life we are wed to our glorious Savior. He cares for our needs and watches us grow in His love. Truly, there is no greater joy than that which is given by Jesus both in this life and the one to come!

Consider also: Psalm 12:6,7; Psalm 16:11

Fellowship With Jesus

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

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 1:1-3

It is a wonderful thing that Jesus Christ, our Savior, has been with us since the beginning. He certainly did not abandon His creation as we see numerous appearances of Christ throughout the Old Testament, in figure, type, prophesy, and even in human form. But He was not yet God incarnate dwelling among men. 

Yet, in the fullness of time Jesus was manifested unto us. He lived with us and taught us, yea, even died for our sins and arose from the grave! Oh! the assurances we have in this! He defeated death! Not only did He defeat death He confirmed it in the presence of many witnesses, whose accounts remain even to our day. Also, while Jesus's resurrection does supply those who believe in Him with eternal life it also grants them true and pure fellowship with each other, with Jesus, and with Almighty God. In this there is great joy!

Consider also: John 1:14; I Corinthians 1:9; Psalm 5:11,12