The theme of John’s first letter is fellowship. He says in chapter one, verse three, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” The epistle is a family letter written to the children of God. Chapter two begins, “My little children, these things write I to you.” In verse twelve of the same chapter he says, “Again I write unto you, little children.” He concludes his letter with these final words, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” Therefore the fellowship that John encourages is only between God and those that truly believe in the Person of Jesus Christ and upon the work He accomplished for their salvation. Therefore any religion that has not Christ as its only mediator is excluded from the family and fellowship with God: namely Roman Catholics, Hindus, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Adventists, Mormons, Muslims, etc. In verse seven of chapter one, John gives the condition for this fellowship with God, “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.” He had declared in verse five that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” Then he followed with an argument based on that precedent, saying, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” The word “walk” in both places is from a Greek word which means “going about” and refers to conduct. And we know that conduct consists in words, thoughts, and deeds. The action in the word is continuous. Therefore we can see how it gives the idea of “going about.” The normal experience of the believer should be just that, a life constantly lived according to the Word of God, which is precisely the “light” referred to in verse seven. David said in Psalm 119:105, “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The word fellowship is from a word which means “to have in common with.” Being that “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” the only thing that we have in common with Him is the light of His Word. Therefore to maintain this fellowship, use of every ordinance pertaining to the ministry of His Word, and every means whereby it is opened up to our hearts must be exercised. All the family members have fellowship with the Godhead, but the depth may vary. We see this in the case of the Apostles. There seemed to be an outer circle and an inner circle. Peter, James and John were taken to the Mount of His Transfiguration, and into the Garden of Gethsemane. The Holy Spirit takes some into the doctrine of Christ and His work deeper than others. I think it is due to two things; divine prerogative and personal desire. There is fellowship in these things that others do not experience. Please notice that we are not talking about a “higher or deeper life,” but personal growth and progress in the knowledge of Christ.
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