NOV 17

1 John 1:1-3
Memorise 1 John 1:3
“…that ye also may have fellowship with us…”

If Christians sit down for a meal or play a ball game together, is that fellowship? Some people think that as long as Christians spend time together, no matter how they spend that time, they are having fellowship. However, that would make us no different from secular groups who also spend time together, sometimes even carrying out the same activities. John shows us in his epistle that Christian fellowship should be so much more.

John and the apostles had spent time with Jesus and John attests to this in verse 1-2: “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”. They had spent time with Jesus intimately, learning and witnessing firsthand from Him the Gospel. They heard His teachings on holy living and promises of eternal life and spiritual rewards. They had the privilege of experiencing true Christian fellowship with the Son of God Himself while He was physically here on earth. Now they wanted to share what they experienced and learnt with the rest of the believers. Through the preaching of the gospel, new converts would be able to experience that same close fellowship with the apostles, with each other, and most importantly, with God.

True Christian fellowship is, above all, spiritual in nature. It is founded upon the common gospel that we believe in, and it continues on through mutual spiritual encouragement. The result of it has to be that believers are drawn closer to one another and to God through the bonds of Christ. So let us seek to show love and concern to our fellow believers when we meet up with them. This include asking them about their lives and prayer needs, speaking an encouraging word or offering a Bible verse to comfort and reminding one another to hold fast to our faith and to look forward to Christ’s imminent return. Just as John did, let our fellowship with God motivate us to desire greater fellowship with our brethren. Conversely, through our fellowship, let us aim to spur one another on to greater fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thought: Have you been participating in true Christian fellowship? Do not wait for others to show care towards you. Make the first move.
Prayer: Lord, help me to grow in fellowship with Thee and with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.