If you believe in Jesus, then practice fellowship with God and other believers.
Verse of the Day, February 8, 2021
1 John 1:9 CSB "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The apostle John, in 1 John 1:1–2:2, presents us with the key to fellowship. "Fellowship" is the close participation of people with the same interests; however, John reminds us that true fellowship begins when our interests are aligned with God’s character and nature. When believers are in fellowship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, HIs life, ministry, death, resurrection, and rule over the heart’s (life and decisions) of believers, then we can have fellowship with one another (John 1:5–8).
We all have days, weeks, situations, etc., where our fellowship is broken with other people. John uses the “if . . . then” rhetorical device to help us understand what disrupts fellowship and how to restore fellowship. If we have broken fellowship with others, then we need to look at our fellowship with God. God created us for fellowship. If our fellowship is correct with God, our fellowship will be right with others. I understand sometimes people do things beyond our control, but John is instructing us to examine our part in the broken fellowship. If we have fellowship with God, then we are treating others as God treats us.
John says we need to restore fellowship with God before we attempt to repair broken fellowship with others. The key to sweet fellowship is the correct relationship with God, through Christ’s forgiveness. When we are unfaithful to God, Jesus remains faithful to us (He forgives or punishes sin. 2 Timothy 2:13). Has your fellowship been disrupted? Examine your faithfulness to God in your actions and attitude. If we confess we are not living God’s way, then Jesus promises to take two actions on our behalf to restore fellowship. First, If we confess our part in the problem (sin), then Jesus will forgive us (remove the shame and guilt of our part in the problem). Second, If we confess our sin, then Jesus will cleanse us from the unrighteous action and attitude that broke the fellowship in the first place. Jesus promises to forgive and also help us change the bad habits that caused us to sin.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being faithful and righteous (keeping your promises and keeping God’s justice). Thank you for keeping your promise that if we confess our sin, then You will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (John 1:9). Lord Jesus, thank you for putting my well-being before your own, dying for my sins so that I can have fellowship with God (John1:1–2:2; 1 Peter 3:18). Help me, Jesus, to forsake any habits, actions, and attitudes that are not pleasing to God. Help me, today, keep fellowship with God my main priority. Help me treat others as you treat me, considering their interests more important than my own (Philippians 2:1–4).
Lord, “This is the message we have heard from [Your word] and announce to [each other], that God is Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with [God] and yet walk in the darkness (without life with Christ), we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light (faith in Christ, and obedience to God's commands; John 3:16, 36) as [God] Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of [our Lord] Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:5–8 (NASB95)). Lord Jesus, I confess, I often put my opinion and interests before your plan for my fellowship with God and other people. Please forgive me for not thinking and acting God’s way yesterday, and help me, today, begin establishing new habits. Help me stay in fellowship with you today, and share our fellowship with other people. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Daily Devotion
If you believe in Jesus, then practice fellowship with God and other believers.
Verse of the Day, February 8, 2021
1 John 1:9 CSB "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The apostle John, in 1 John 1:1–2:2, presents us with the key to fellowship. "Fellowship" is the close participation of people with the same interests; however, John reminds us that true fellowship begins when our interests are aligned with God’s character and nature. When believers are in fellowship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, HIs life, ministry, death, resurrection, and rule over the heart’s (life and decisions) of believers, then we can have fellowship with one another (John 1:5–8).
We all have days, weeks, situations, etc., where our fellowship is broken with other people. John uses the “if . . . then” rhetorical device to help us understand what disrupts fellowship and how to restore fellowship. If we have broken fellowship with others, then we need to look at our fellowship with God. God created us for fellowship. If our fellowship is correct with God, our fellowship will be right with others. I understand sometimes people do things beyond our control, but John is instructing us to examine our part in the broken fellowship. If we have fellowship with God, then we are treating others as God treats us.
John says we need to restore fellowship with God before we attempt to repair broken fellowship with others. The key to sweet fellowship is the correct relationship with God, through Christ’s forgiveness. When we are unfaithful to God, Jesus remains faithful to us (He forgives or punishes sin. 2 Timothy 2:13). Has your fellowship been disrupted? Examine your faithfulness to God in your actions and attitude. If we confess we are not living God’s way, then Jesus promises to take two actions on our behalf to restore fellowship. First, If we confess our part in the problem (sin), then Jesus will forgive us (remove the shame and guilt of our part in the problem). Second, If we confess our sin, then Jesus will cleanse us from the unrighteous action and attitude that broke the fellowship in the first place. Jesus promises to forgive and also help us change the bad habits that caused us to sin.
Lord Jesus, thank you for being faithful and righteous (keeping your promises and keeping God’s justice). Thank you for keeping your promise that if we confess our sin, then You will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (John 1:9). Lord Jesus, thank you for putting my well-being before your own, dying for my sins so that I can have fellowship with God (John1:1–2:2; 1 Peter 3:18). Help me, Jesus, to forsake any habits, actions, and attitudes that are not pleasing to God. Help me, today, keep fellowship with God my main priority. Help me treat others as you treat me, considering their interests more important than my own (Philippians 2:1–4).
Lord, “This is the message we have heard from [Your word] and announce to [each other], that God is Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with [God] and yet walk in the darkness (without life with Christ), we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light (faith in Christ, and obedience to God's commands; John 3:16, 36) as [God] Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of [our Lord] Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:5–8 (NASB95)). Lord Jesus, I confess, I often put my opinion and interests before your plan for my fellowship with God and other people. Please forgive me for not thinking and acting God’s way yesterday, and help me, today, begin establishing new habits. Help me stay in fellowship with you today, and share our fellowship with other people. In Jesus’ name, amen.