Chapter 2 of John’s first letter continues with his focus on fellowship with God. Our fellowship with God the Father is fortified through our fellowship with Jesus Christ. We cannot claim to have fellowship with God if we do not have fellowship with Jesus (v.23). Those who keep his commandments and live lives according to the teaching of Jesus demonstrate that they truly know Him. John pulls no punches in making it crystal clear that anyone who does not keep His commands but say they have fellowship with Him are liars (v.4); strong words indeed that should make us sit up and look very closely at our own lives. Do we live out the Christian life that affirms what we say we believe? Those who walk in Christ, as Christ walked, give evidence that they are ‘in Him’ (vs.5-6).

We are also commanded to love one another. Holding any hatred or contempt for any of our fellow human beings is incompatible with fellowship with Christ and calls us to examine our inner conscience with honesty. We should seek God’s help through the Holy Spirit to repent any sinful thought. Love is often defined as the most important sign which the world uses to define a Christian. However, we are not to love the world (vs.15-17). This refers to those who prefer worldly, non-spiritual things to Godly things often referred to as the sinful material attitudes of mankind. Those who love the world more than Christ prove that the love of God is not in them. John’s readers are called to remember their position as children of God (vs.28-29). They are to abide in Him so they will not be ashamed when He returns.

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Questions:

Are there areas of your life that need examining more closely; ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any that require repentance. Do you hold any grudge or malice against anyone who has hurt you in the past that is stifling your relationship and fellowship with God?

Prayer:

Thank you, Father God, that we have fellowship with you through your Son Jesus Christ. Thank you for Your atoning sacrifice through the blood of Jesus and help us to live Christ like lives that bear witness to the gospel message. Amen.