I JOHN social gatherings, discussions and relationships with others. The Apostle has much more to convey. He is suggesting the idea of part nership as things are shared in common. Of course, our primary relationship in this regard is with God the Father (I John 1:3). We underscore the fact that no indi vidual can share in this fellowship until he first becomes a partaker of the Lord's nature through re generation (II Peter 1:4). The trans action that starts at the new birth should continue to grow as we give ourselves more fully day-by-day to the Saviour. It has its final consum mation when we meet Christ in the life to come. To the extent to which we are partners in our Lord's sufferings we shall also share in His glory (Romans 8:17; I Peter 4:13, 5:1). This was Paul's consum ing purpose and goal as well (Phil- ippians 3:10-12). Keep in mind, too, that partnership with Deity unites us with both the Father and the Son. Christ is the eternal Word. The Almighty will not have any one as His partner or companion who refuses to enter into a part nership with His Son. This blessed union is basically a spiritual one. It also extends itself to matters ex tremely practical. The same Greek word translated "fellowship" here is also rendered as "contribution" (Romans 15:26) or "distribution" (II Corinthians 9:13). All suggest the idea of sharing what we have with others. I have received letters from Christians who sign them, "Yours because His." This just about sums it up when we consider this extremely personal and prac tical relationship. Fellowship is not possible unless we have received Christ as personal Saviour (I John
1 : 6 ). If we ever actually say that we are partakers with God but at the same time walk in darkness, we certainly are deceiving ourselves and are not practicing the truth. Metaphorically, the word "dark ness" is used of a lack of moral and spiritual illumination. It is truly the darkness of sin. Such a person who makes a false profession is nothing more than a liar. You re member that Judas was with Jesus, watching Him perform miracles and attesting to His sinless life. Yet the betrayer was in awful darkness. You may be sure that all pretend ing will one day be exposed (I Cor inthians 4:5). Light is an emblem of Cod's holiness. Satan's kingdom is that of moral darkness and spir- itual evil. We may be self-deceived or deliberately hypocritical, but the end result of destruction is the same. One of God's first acts of creation was illumination by divid ing the light from the darkness. This is the way it must ever be (II Corinthians 6:14). John makes a very real distinc tion between our words and our walk. If a man says something that is not true, then he is living a lie. Let us keep in mind that by our walk we instruct others more than we will ever realize (Romans 6:4; II Corinthians 5:7; Galatians 5:16; Ephesians 5:2, 5:15). Cod's Word extends a terrible indictment upon the hypocrite. How do you and I stand before the Lord in all sincerity? Nothing is hidden to Him with whom we have to do. Let us always live as true children of light. It is encouraging to read that "the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin." This is a positional
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