Fellowship

If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. I John 1:6-9

Fellowship with God is close companionship; like-mindedness with Him. "we" are believers; Church. "We," therefore, are saved individuals; members of the Royal Family of God. Just as you can be your parents' child and not get along with them very well, we can belong to God and be disobedient in our attitudes and behavior. That is not fellowship. What breaks our fellowship with God? Sin. Walking in darkness. Loving the things of the world. The tricky thing about believers' sin is we can THINK we're getting away with our self-indulgence and misbehavior, but all the while we are lying to ourselves and to the world and to God. We can have fellowship with God and each other only by walking in the Light. Practicing our faith. Trusting in God's perfect provision. Learning, obeying and sharing His Word. Honoring His Name. Jesus died once to pay the whole penalty for our sin. His blood (atoning death) CONTINUES TO CLEANSE US FROM ALL SIN! That is the meaning of verse 7. If we are not continually cleansed, we are not fit to serve. The cleansing is an ongoing process for us, who continue to confess our known sins to the Father and claim Jesus' unlimited atonement. Our salvation was complete from the moment of faith in Christ. Our fellowship with the Father is a day-by-day, moment-by-moment practice of maintaining a close relationship with Him, thereby allowing the Holy Spirit control in our life. This is not a ritual. It is a simple prayer: "Father, I've sinned. (Name it.) Shape me up for your service and bring me close to You again." Verse 9 promises us He always will forgive and cleanse, when we confess (admit, rather than try to deny) our sins. Our light and our fellowship is then restored. We are free to love and serve and grow in grace.