6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness [of sin], we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations].

1 John 1:6-7 (AMP) 中文 

Resuming fellowship

We’ve looked at God’s character yesterday – He is light. John now picks up the topic of fellowship again from verse 3. He will talk about fellowship with God and with others (vertical relationships and horizontal). In the final verses of this chapter, John will address sin and forgiveness in this most famous of passages on the topic. The mention here about cleaning from sin is repeated in v 9 so we’ll cover it then.

Relationship vs. Fellowship

Let’s first take a look at what fellowship is and how it’s more than a relationship. I have a relationship with my son. He will always be my son – no matter what. Even if we have a falling out, he is still my son.  “On the other hand, fellowship is the enjoyment of such relationship. My son and I might have a forever relationship, but if he is a dishonorable son, we will not have much fellowship. We will not enjoy the relationship we do have.” (impactus.org)

Fellowship with God

Now apply this idea to God. We have a relationship with God when we repent and believe, are born again (John 3:3) and adopted as His child (1 John 3:10). This is forever, literally. However, “A practicing sinner cannot have close fellowship with a holy God, though he can have a relationship with God (i.e., be a true Christian). God revealed this truth throughout Scripture. We do not need to reestablish our relationship with God every time we sin, though we do need to reestablish our fellowship with Him.” (Constable commentary) 

In addition, fellowship is the Gk word “koinonia, meaning “partnership, sharing in common, or communion,” and the essence of partnership is agreement or unity of purpose.” (gotquestions.org)

Now a quick note. The text of verse 7 says, “we have fellowship with one another”. Some interpret it as Christian fellowship. Others (including AMP version) see it in the context as our fellowship with God. I hold this view. When we sin against Him, the relationship is stable but fellowship is damaged, even severed.

Walk (live) in the light

Then John, under the inspiration of the Spirit (1 Peter 1:20–21) tells us to walk in the light. “Since God is light (1 John 1:5), when we walk in the light we walk where He is. We are naturally together with Him in fellowship.” (enduringword.com) “The idea is more where we walk than how we walk. Had John said according to the light, rather than in the light, he would have been requiring sinless perfection for fellowship with God. We must be open and responsive to the light that we have, which increases as we grow in our knowledge of God’s will.” (Constable commentary)

RЯeflection

• The obvious application here is, Do we have a relationship with God the Creator? If you don’t, click here.
• But if you do, then we ask what is the quality of our fellowship with God? If it isn’t what it is meant to be (for our benefit, by the way), then we must do something. First and foremost is to clear out the crud – and that is by confession which we’ll address next.

^{Relationship – father to kids. Image from pxfuel.com}