that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us. Yes, and our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:3 WEB

John taught about Jesus from experience. He had been with Christ, hearing and seeing what the Lord had spoken and done. He served alongside Jesus and learned directly from him. John was an eyewitness to the miraculous life of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that he wants the reader to have fellowship with the disciples who testify to the good news of the Gospel as their fellowship was with God and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Love in Fellowship

The grace of God through faith in Christ is what saves us. In our relationship with God and his word, we learn to love in fellowship with him and our brothers and sisters in Christ. Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-39, “Jesus said unto him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. KJV” These statements lay the foundation of our loving support and interaction with God and men.

John presented the truth of God’s word as light and false teaching as darkness. He continues to explain that God is light, that there is no darkness in him. John adds that if we claim to have fellowship with God, but still walk in darkness then our claim is false.

More than that, John states that if we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves. The truth is not in a person who believes he is blameless. As we read in the word from Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. KJV” If we confess our sin, God is faithful to forgive us but if we claim to be blameless, we are calling the word of a God a lie.

Yesterday’s Devotional: I Sought the Lord