1st John 1:3-4 THE JOY OF FELLOWSHIP The reality of Christ in one's life changes what could be mundane and drudgery into something that is exciting and meaningful. If life is so full of obligations and pressures that we find ourselves frustrated and stressed by the expectation others have of us or that we have of ourselves, then we will not be very happy people. Joy in our lives is mostly dependent on the choices we make rather than a result of the circumstances that come upon us. In reality, the quality of life of a believer depends on the consciousness we have of living in fellowship with our Lord.
He is revealed to us in the wonders of His personhood as the "Word of life" in the first two verses of this letter. Then He was experienced by John who later writes "that life is in His Son." Now that life is shared with us. Eternal life is a real quality of life that continues forever. It begins in us when we turned in repentance from sin and in faith to Christ. We put our trust in Him and we were freely given eternal life in our Lord Jesus Christ. He is not some ethereal figure who exists only in our minds. He is eternal in His being. He was here on earth in flesh as the expression, "the Word" of life, and now we are brought into the light of life. It is through Christ we are cleansed and made acceptable to God. We as believers are "accepted in the Beloved."
Those who are "children of God by faith in Jesus Christ," have fellowship with each other in that a new relationship has been formed with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. The fellowship the Father and Son always had, has been opened to us. This is not like a social connection or the camaraderie of those who like each other and hang out together. This is not a fellowship based on origins but is a relationship in which those involved share in common their lives. It is communion - a union of persons who participated in, and enjoy the same things. It is a life experienced by those who have things in common.
Peter and the early apostles experienced life with Christ in their daily walk with Him. By sharing in common with new believers what they had experienced in their lives with the Lord, new believers ("whom having not seen ye love") could benefit by hearing from them truths about our Lord. We too have fellowship with our Lord like the Vine and the branches, or the Head and the body. Our fellowship with God is a fellowship of light, love and life.
The fellowship we have with other believers is based on the fellowship we have with the Father and the Son. Christian fellowship is based on God's word. This is not a religious affiliation but rather a conviction that the Bible is God's word, and the scriptures are not open to private interpretation. The fellowship of believers is grounded on what God's word says. That gives strength to the fellowship without which real communion is impossible. Fellowship of believers is also dependent on their mutual commitment to unity. Opinionated believers may be true in their lives as far as faith in Christ is concerned, but if they want everyone to submit to their opinion about a thing, true fellowship is not possible. Fellowship can only be maintained by daily yielding to the Holy Spirit in the conduct of our lives. If we do not agree on the right or wrong of a matter, or even how to accomplish a task, fellowship is not really there. Fellowship with God's people involves both social and spiritual interaction. Both of these depend on the relationship we have with our Lord Jesus Christ. Some may look at the events of life in a way that blends well with the world around. That would limit the extent of fellowship they would have with those who believe we "should" come out from among them and be separate. Some claim that means all believers should dress uniformly. Others believe the principle of modesty directs how we clothe ourselves. When these opinions differ, we must turn to the scriptures for our counsel and the consequent results.
John and those he represented found their joy in the fellowship of believers who were committed to this knowledge of Christ. That knowledge inspired in them the joy that come from practicing what they believed. That same joy can be ours. That full joy was not only for the apostles, but is also the reason for our joy. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal God. He was here on earth in the flesh. He was seen, heard and testified of by those in the past, so now when we believe on Him, we are given this life - eternal life. Eternal life makes possible our fellowship with other believers as well as divine Persons. That fellowship makes our lives to be what God intends and so our joy is full. "What a fellowship, what a joy divine...!"