Bible Thoughts December 27, 1998
Living the life of a Christian is both negative and positive. There are activities in which the Christian cannot engage and remain true to the Lord. When one engages in those activities that are contrary to the will of God, fellowship with God and with the saints will be lost. Even if brethren do not discipline such a person, they have broken the communion with God that every disciple must have in order to please Jehovah.
For one to claim to be pleasing to God and not follow the instructions of the Lord, results in self-deception("say that we have fellowship with him"-v. 6). One may convince oneself, by human reasoning, that God will overlook the sins, failures, indifference, and negligence of which one is guilty because, as some would say, "The Lord knows me." The fact is, God does know me. He knows how I walk, talk, think, act, reason, and every character trait that I possess. To state that one is pleasing God while following one's own inclinations, is self-deception. John's language is even stronger, "We lie and do not the truth"(v. 6). John points out, as well, that a walk not pleasing to God is a walk in the darkness(v. 6). If one shuts out the light, there is no way for one to recognize what is wrong from what is right. Since Christians realize the "whole world lieth in the evil one"(I John 5:19), walking in the light is the daily route for disciples. Maintaining fellowship with God cannot be had by following the ways of the world (darkness).
The positive aspect of John's instructions point out that if we "walk in the light," two results will follow. We will "have fellowship one with another" and the blood of Christ will cleanse us from "all sin"(v. 7). When one is able to walk close to the Lord and close to the brethren, this life becomes bearable. When life seems helpless, faithful brethren will help. When life seem hopeless, the Lord will help. While other disciples can encourage us, God will forgive us of the wrongs that torment our souls.
The fellowship with brethren needs to be coveted by every disciple of Christ. Far too often, we have spent the majority of our waking time around those who do not care for the Lord, have little knowledge of truth, and want to follow their own inclinations. Under such circumstances, it would be easy for some to become discouraged and give up the life of a Christian. The words of John should help such a person realize what God has done and what the brethren can, and will do, to assist one in living a life that is pleasing to God. At every opportunity, one should take advantage of the encouragement that comes from being around those who are disciples of Christ. To see the enthusiasm of brethren, to see the light in their eyes, to observe their conscientious behavior, as well as innumerable spiritual benefits one could list, should always serve to encourage each Christian to seek not only that fellowship, but make sure it is extended and enjoyed!
A disciple has not only the obligation to receive the fellowship "one with another," but to extend that fellowship as well. Never let oneself be so isolated from those who love and serve the Lord that opportunities to extend one's own sharing with others is denied. Why? The principle of fellowship works both ways. It is extended; it is received. The more that one seeks to share the "commonness" of the gospel, the more enjoyable and beneficial will be the contact with other disciples. Fellowship must be extended; fellowship must be received and accepted.
The benefits that are received by brethren who "walk in the light, as he is in the light" go to the heart of the gospel, for it is in such a walk that "the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin"(v. 7). This brings not only the fellowship between brethren of which John speaks, but the heart is purified of sin. Let each of us, throughout our lives, work to "walk in the light" and be free of the darkness that would blind us from truth and cause us to be lost in eternity. And let the fellowship of the brethren be an encouragement to walk the walk for Christ all of our lives.