Known as the disciple whom Jesus loved, John may have also been the youngest. We've read his good news in the Gospel according to John. In it he proclaimed Jesus to be God in the flesh. We saw him at the cross with Jesus' mother attending her needs. John cared for her as a dying request, but with the persecution of believers on the horizon, God had a special mission for the son of Zebebdee that was greater than any other calling.

I refer to John as the fellowship preacher and really it's not that surprising to think of him that way for he knew the importance of having a good relationship with the Lord. He, along with Peter and James his brother, were often referred as being in the inner circle. By that, they not only were asked to join Jesus in intense time of prayer, but they were also present when Jesus was miraculously joined by Moses and Elijah on a mountain.

It not surprising to note that John takes care of business at the beginning of his first letter. While letter two and three were addressed to individuals, the first is written to anyone who will read it. First, he establishes Jesus as God and then he tells us how to be in fellowship with the Lord.

1 John 1:9: If you haven't memorized it, I recommend you do that because John teaches us that where sin separates us from God, confession and forgiveness restores us. If you sin, and all of us do, then you need to admit what you did and ask forgiveness. After all, God already knows; all you need to do is agree with Him. To do otherwise indicates you think you've either done no wrong or need no fellowship. Both conclusions are not only wrong, they're dangerous.

For those who think confession is unnecessary and fellowship optional, you have just proved Scripture has no place in your life (Vs. 1:10) For those know-it-alls who believe they're above reproach, they need to understand that until they walk as Jesus did, they've yet to prove they even know Jesus.

I trust you're not in either of these categories but instead recognize your need to be one with the Lord in heart and action, willing and ready to do anything, including promptly and humbly confessing your sin, in order to be close to Him. How do you know when you're in fellowship? If you have to ask, I doubt you've been there.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Dn. 7:1-28 1 Jn. 1:1-10 Ps. 119:156-176 Pr. 28:23-24 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

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