Enjoy Fellowship
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Key Verse: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.” Lesson Scriptures: |
THE KEY VERSE IN THIS week’s lesson establishes the importance of walking in the light of our Lord Jesus with others of like precious faith. “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (I John 1:5) Truth and righteousness are symbolized by light, whereas in the Scriptures sin and death are by darkness.
Jesus was a bright light in the world during his earthly ministry. He served to enlighten all who heard his wonderful words, or witnessed his remarkable works and deeds. Those who desire to now walk with him respond more directly to his message and purpose, and become participants in that marvelous light. The Apostle John also wrote, “Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.”—John 12:35,36
John calls attention to the cleansing effect of the Master’s blood which has been imputed for us. He said, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9) Blood represents the sacrificed life of our Lord Jesus which he shed on our behalf.
John points out that, during the present Gospel Age, the Lord’s people have a special relationship with our risen Lord. He is now our Advocate, or the one who stands alongside us and intercedes on our behalf before God. We require an advocate because we have this wonderful treasure of Truth in imperfect earthly bodies. We cannot have this special relationship with the Heavenly Father without Jesus’ merit being applied on our behalf.
He says, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (chap. 2:1,2) When Jesus ascended up on high he appeared in the presence of God for us, the church class. The Greek word which has been translated ‘propitiation’ in this scripture signifies ‘that which satisfies, or propitiates.’ Jesus’ death constituted that satisfaction price.
During the Gospel Age only the consecrated followers of our Lord have received of the merit of his sacrifice, which has been applied on their behalf. In the future Kingdom Age—the times of restitution—the whole human family will be given opportunity to receive of the merit of that sacrifice.
As we walk in the light of present Truth, and enjoy the fellowship of others who are striving to know the will of our loving Heavenly Father, we endeavor to be faithful to our covenant of sacrifice. As the Apostle John looks forward from his day, he further says, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: … it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.”—I John 3:1,2