What a fellowship with one another

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. I John 1:7 NIV

Without good fellowship among your brothers and sisters in Christ, you get really sick.  We know this to be true in nature, plants need access to light in order to be healthy.  Time in the light allows for a plant to receive the nourishment needed for the plant to turn that energy into food to feed itself.  So why is spending time with fellow believers so important, and why do we resist?

John is saying that a healthy follower of Jesus spends time with other believers.  This is more than attending church on Sunday, although a little light one time a week is better than no light at all.  Time together equals healthy exposure to the light of Christ.  The word “walk” in this verse means to “complete the circuit”.  In other words, may all aspects of your life be open to the light.  When we spend “time” with other believers, our complete life will begin to be positively impacted.

A discipleship group, Bible Study or a small group helps build the framework for our spiritual lives.  But spending “life” together allows for light of Christ to release the spiritual energy necessary for us to walk in health together.  This will not be all “kum ba Ya” moments together.  John says that cleansing takes place when we are in fellowship.  Stuff in our life will be exposed to the light when we “hang out” with other believers.  Our pride, jealousy, envy, prejudice, impatience, lack of true love, and many other hidden motives are exposed.  We also see that it is really easy to see the huge specks in our brother’s eye, while asking for mercy to overlook the log in our own eye.  But, all of these emotions and insights occur when we are “hanging” out with other believers.

We recognize that the continuity of our health comes from the power of the purifying work of Jesus on the cross with the shedding of his blood.  Our togetherness in the light of Jesus receives the full impact of our cleansing.  If you are struggling with addiction, freedom comes when you are with a group that can help.  Christians need to understand that principle is true in all aspects of our lives.  We have the capacity to walk in freedom when we are walking closely together.  O the Blood of Jesus, it washes white as snow.

Be intentional about finding time to hang out with other believers.  Have meals together, go to the parks, begin to exercise together, volunteer together on a service project, call each other often (just to see how the day went), and if you are really brave – go camping together.  Exposure together gives the opportunity of the light of Jesus to shine on you, in you and through you.

Fellowship is not a secondary issue in the body of Christ.  It is vital for healthy life and for the full effects of cleansing of the blood of Christ.  Don’t let the enemy steal your joy, privilege and impact of “hanging” with fellow believers.

Walking in the light of Christ includes fellowship with others and bears the fruit of cleansing from the blood of Jesus.