Disciples love their neighbors
as they love themselves
by fellowshipping with
family and friends
Matthew 22:39
Love your neighbor as yourself.
Your Biblical Identity in Christ
1 John 1:1-10
The Incarnation of the Word of Life
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. 2 The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. 3 We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We write this to make our joy complete.
Light and Darkness, Sin and Forgiveness
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 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.
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
• I am in fellowship with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ and will seek to complete that joyous fellowship by sharing it with my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Pondering Point
This Christian “discipleship” thing of following Jesus is not some sports fantasy league or country club; it not a financial partnership or theatre troupe; it is a joyful fellowship with God the Father and His family, with Jesus Christ and his children. And that fellowship with God is heightened by the presence of others who share this same relationship. John puts his finger on this reality when writing to his fellow Christians in the first century. God’s joyous fellowship with you is incomplete without brothers and sisters in Christ.
How often people (maybe you) tout a relationship with God but devalue the role – even the need – of relationships with other God-followers, other disciples of Jesus. Don’t be “that guy” or lady. Make your fellowship complete by connecting with other followers.
Prayer
Father God, help me see the value of connecting with other followers of Yours. Lead me into relationships with people in a Holy Spirit-led local church with Christ-centered smaller groups. Push me to be authentic and open with these disciples as we all lead God-centered lives to Your glory – and do so together. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.