1 John 1:3 (ESV) — that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.

If you ask a room full of Christians about what the point of the Christian life is, you will get a variety of answers. People will tell you it is to obey. They will suggest it is to help people. Some will offer up worship or glorifying God as the main point. I am not disagreeing or suggesting these answers miss the mark, but one of the answers most neglected and unappreciated is fellowship with God and others. 

We are made to fellowship with God. And not only do we fellowship with God, and share in communion with Him, but we are unified to one another in fellowship. This is a massively bedrock component of the Christian life. 

Our passage today captures this truth. John opens his first letter with this idea. He says, “that which we have seen and heard (about Jesus’ coming, death, and resurrection) we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.” So, the gospel proclaimed to the people has the aim of producing fellowship of those people hearing it with the apostles and church. And then he reminds them that “indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” So, John proclaims the gospel to them so that they will enter into fellowship with the body, because the body is in fellowship with the Godhead.

This is vital to our grasp of the Christian life. We don’t just believe in God for salvation from sins and escape from Hell. We put our faith in Christ and enter into a fellowship. We join with other believers into a family. We are the family of God, joined to Him in fellowship and communion. Are you in fellowship with the body? It is not enough to “believe in God.” The Christian life is lived in community and fellowship with other believers. That’s how we mature spiritually and grow. This is how our needs are met when we struggle or face temptations. The body is there. 

Reflection & Journal: 

- How does John tie fellowship with the church to fellowship with God?

- Why is fellowship with other believers so important? How do we grow from community?

- What steps do you need to take today to press further into biblical community? 

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