|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
Chapter 42 - Fellowship with God |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
God created His beloved ecclesia for His enjoyment. In the fullness of time, He established it on earth according to the riches of His lavish grace. (Ephesians 1:7-8)
God’s purpose for the New Testament church was to vindicate His nature from unholy angelic accusation. His plan for vindication during the Church Age involved the redemption of the elect from the Gentile nations. Redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, they are allowed the privileged opportunity to practice intimate, shared life fellowship with God. The willingness of elect Gentiles to trust God and enjoy fellowship with Him serves in part to vindicate His nature. It is important to note that intimate, shared life fellowship with God cannot be nurtured under the rule of divine law. The rule of divine law compels performance for God. The attempted fulfillment of its righteous requirement is by nature impersonal. Rather than law-based, fellowship with God is life-based (zoe). Therefore, it requires a new type of rule, the gracious rule of divine, indwelling life (zoe). Concordant with the lavish grace of God, the rule of indwelling life (zoe) is innately intimate and personal. It lovingly encourages the children of God to practice fellowship with God and thus, enjoy Him and spend time with Him. In contrast, the religious church fails to understand it was released from the jurisdiction (authority) of the divine rule of law. (Romans 7:1-6) As a result, it chooses to remain in subjection to its bondage. Self-subjected to the rule of divine law, the law-based, religious church is ignorant regarding the privilege of fellowship with God. Rather than fellowship, its practice is characterized by a continual attempt to obey the rule of divine law and thus, fulfill its righteous requirement. Relative to the indwelling principle of sin, it is an impossible task. (Romans 8:3) For that reason, the Apostle Paul described it as a miserable endeavor. (Romans 7:24) Under the rule of divine law, the motive for the practice of the law-based, religious church is not intimate fellowship with God. It is simply to assuage the misery of law-based duty, debt, and death. (Romans 7:14-25) Based on a misinterpretation of one verse in the New Testament, it attempts to do so by the continual, legalistic confession of sins. The continual confession of sins as a remedy for the transgression of law is a widespread practice derived exclusively from the writing of the Apostle John. His statement regarding the confession of sins is commonly misunderstood. It is not by accident. Satan’s Favorite Bible Verse It can be presupposed that Satan has a number of favorite Bible verses. While it is impossible to know for certain, 1 John 1:9 might be his favorite. Throughout modern history, he has encouraged the misinterpretation of John’s writing. Many in church leadership who have mistakenly accepted his false interpretation have passed it down to others. As a result, the church body has accepted Satan’s interpretation to be truthful and chosen to live accordingly. Satan has done significant damage to the church by influencing the misinterpretation of 1 John 1:9. Through its influence he has convinced thousands of believers to ignore their new law and life in Christ and remain in bondage to the old life and law of Adam. Fellowship with God “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life (zoe) - and the life was manifested, and we have seen and testify and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us - what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete.” (1 John 1:1-4) The Apostle John introduced his letter with an astonishing statement. He proclaimed he and the other apostles had met the living (zoe) God. They had heard, seen, and touched Him. From the beginning of Christ’s ministry of the gospel, the apostles enjoyed intimate fellowship with Him. As a result, they came to know the Christ as the “Word of Life (zoe),” the One sent to earth in human flesh to share the “message of ...Life (zoe)” with fallen mankind. (John 1:1-3; John 1:14; Revelation 19:13) John made very clear that he and the other apostles did not have to travel to heaven to meet God. Instead, the eternal, living (zoe) God was manifested on earth. The Apostle then made an even more amazing announcement. He said, “... what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) According to John, those who have not yet been introduced to the living (zoe) God have the opportunity to enjoy intimate, shared life fellowship with Him! Consequently, it is clear the fundamental theme of John’s letter was fellowship with God. |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
False Teachers
John continued, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:5-10) It is important to clarify that 1 John was written to believers for the purpose of correcting doctrinal errors. The errors were the result of false teachers distorting the gospel. (1 John 2:18-19) The distortion had caused confusion about what it meant to fellowship with God. Thus, John explained the difference between believers and unbelievers, those privileged to enjoy fellowship with God and those who are not. (1 John 2:3-5:21) John specifically mentioned three aspects of the gospel the false teachers denied. First, they denied living in darkness (the realm of sin and death; the “domain of darkness,” the fallen realm of satanic authority) does not prohibit mankind from personal fellowship with God. (1 John 1:6-7; cf. Colossians 1:13) Second, the false teachers denied mankind is absolutely corrupted by the internal principle of sin (sin nature) that provides motive for the external practice of sin. (1 John 1:8-9) Third, they denied that mankind naturally and habitually engages in the practice of sin. (1 John 1:10). |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
First Rebuttal
Concordant with the false teachers distorted view of the gospel, God gave the Apostle John a message of rebuttal. (1 John 1:5) In agreement with the message, John addressed the first aspect of the gospel that was denied: |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
Indicating that God is radically set apart from mankind, John said, “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5) Thus, He clarified that the holy God is pure, unadulterated Light. It is an attribute of His nature.
By his statement John implied fallen mankind is not naturally characterized by the Light of God but the darkness of sin and death. Consequently, he begins life on earth in a state of separation from God. Further, John’s words served to clarify the Light of God and the darkness of fallen mankind are incompatible. Thus, fellowship between God and mankind in his natural state is not possible. John continued, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7) By his statement, John revealed there are only two types of people in the world. The first type unsuitable for fellowship with God the second suitable. The first type of person merely said he had fellowship with God. However, there was no evidence to indicate his fellowship was authentic. In fact, the evidence was contrary. It revealed the first type of person “walked” in the darkness and consequently, lied and did not practice the truth. In contrast, the second type of person “walked” in the Light with God and as a result, the blood of Jesus cleansed him from all sin (sin in principle and practice). Consequently, he enjoyed authentic fellowship with God. |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
As stated, the two types of people on earth were characterized by different “walks” of life. (1 John 1:6-7) One “walked” in the darkness (realm of satanic authority; realm of sin and death) without God and the other in the Light (realm of divine authority; kingdom of God; realm of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus) with God.
John’s usage of the word “walk” was translated from the Greek word peripateo (per-ee-pat-eh'-o). It is sometimes used literally in the New Testament. As such, it simply refers to “walking about.” However, peripateo is also used figuratively in the New Testament. (John 8:12; 12:35; Romans 8:4; 1 Corinthians 7:17; Colossians 2:6; Revelation 3:4; 16:15; etc.) Whether or not the Greek word peripateo is used literally or figuratively in the New Testament is determined by the context in which it is used. The context of 1 John 1 indicates John used peripateo figuratively. (1 John 1:6, 7) Reflective of lifestyle rather than “walking about,” its intended meaning was to “live or behave in a customary manner, with possible focus upon continuity of action – ‘to live, to behave, to go about doing.’”[1] Relative to his figurative usage of peripateo, the Apostle John made it clear he spoke of two distinct types of people living on earth. They had two entirely different lifestyles. The two types of people were evidenced by a particular disposition, bent, or status of life. Consequently, each of the two people lived in a distinct manner. The first type of person habitually “walked” (lived) in the darkness apart from God and the second type of person habitually “walked” (lived) in the Light with God. The two different lifestyles were characterized by unique attributes. In the darkness (realm of sin and death; fallen realm of satanic authority), the lifestyle of the first type of person was not evidenced by fellowship with God, the practice of the truth, or cleansing from the unrighteousness of sin. (1 John 1:6) In the Light (kingdom of God; realm of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus; realm of divine authority), the lifestyle of the second type of person was evidenced by fellowship with God, the cleansing of sin (sin in principle and practice) by the blood of Jesus, and the practice of the truth. (1 John 1:7) The first apostolic rebuttal of the false teachers clarified there are only two types of human beings on earth. There are those not qualified for fellowship with God and those who are qualified. Contrary to the assertion of the false teachers, John clarified the privilege of fellowship with God demands walking in the Light with Him. Concordant with his walk in the Light with God, the believer is being cleansed from all sin (both internal principle of sin (source) and external practice of sin (effect)) through the continual application of the blood of Jesus Christ. The Greek verb tense indicates the cleansing is continual experience. The believer’s walk in the Light and cleansing from sin is evidenced by his practice of the truth. The apostolic rebuttal clarified the false teachers were wrong. Living in the [domain of] darkness (fallen realm of satanic authority; realm of sin and death) does prohibit mankind from personally knowing and fellowshipping with God. Second Rebuttal The Apostle John next rebutted the second aspect of the gospel that was denied: |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
John continued his message from God by stating, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8-9)
The second apostolic rebuttal continued to differentiate between the two types of people on earth. The first type of person merely said they fellowshipped with God yet “walked” (lived) in the darkness apart from Him, did not practice the truth, and was not cleansed from all sin (both internal principle of sin (source) and external practice of sin (effect)). (1 John 1:6) The first type of person further claimed not to have a sin nature and thus, the propensity to sin (internal principle of sin (source). (1 John 1:8) It provided evidence that this person was deceived and the truth was not in them. Consequently, it is clear the first type of person was not qualified to fellowship with God. In contrast, the second type of person “walked” (lived) in the Light with God, enjoyed actual fellowship with Him, was being cleansed from all sin (both internal principle of sin (source) and external practice of sin (effect)), and, as implied in verse 8, practiced the truth of God. (1 John 1:7-8) Therefore, it is implied the second type of person recognized and confessed their sin (both internal principle (source) and external practice (effect)), they were forgiven of all their sin (internal principle and external practice), and, according to the Greek verb tense, they were being continuously cleansed from all unrighteousness related to their sin (internal principle and external practice). (1 John 1:9) As a result, the second type of person was qualified to fellowship with God. |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
John’s second rebuttal clarified that mankind, in his natural state, is characterized by a sin nature (internal principle of sin). It is the source of the practice of sin and does prevent fellowship with God.
Third Rebuttal Lastly, John refuted the third aspect of the gospel that was denied: |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
John described the “walk” (habitual lifestyle) of the first type of person a third time. He added, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.” (1 John 1:10)
Not only did the first type of person “walk” (live) in the darkness apart from God, they did not have fellowship with Him, did not practice the truth, were not cleansed from sin (both internal principle of sin (source) and external practice of sin (effect)), claimed to have no sin nature (internal principle of sin (source)), were deceived and the truth was not in them. (1 John 1:6, 8) John further said the first type of person claimed not to have sinned at all (external practice of sin (effect)). (1 John 1:10) According to the apostle, these statements made God a liar and indicated that His word did not exist within them. |
|
Vertical Divider
|
|
|
Vertical Divider
|
In contrast, it is helpful to restate the second type of person “walked” (lived) in the Light with God, they enjoyed fellowship with Him, practiced the truth, and were being continually cleansed by the blood of Jesus from all sin (internal principle of sin (source) and external practice of sin (effect)). They also confessed their sins (internal principle and external practice), were forgiven of their sins (internal principle and external practice), and as a result, were being continually cleansed from all unrighteousness related to sin (internal principle and external practice).
John’s third rebuttal clarified that mankind does indeed practice sin. As a result, he cannot fellowship with God. |
|
Vertical Divider
|