Introduction: The basis of our fellowship with God and our brothers is our walking in the light. Often however, we break this fellowship by walking in darkness. If we are walking in the light of God’s commands, in openness and transparency then we will be blessed with wonderful fellowship with God and our brothers. Further we will experience the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus.
I Basis of our Fellowship, v 5
i) Message passed on: They heard it from Jesus. He was the light of the world (Joh 8:12). Joh 1:4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Jesus life was his message.
ii) Light and Darkness:
In the Bible:
a) Purity and Evil: God is light, physically it is His glory, morally it is his purity, Satan is prince of darkness.
b) Truth and Ignorance: Thy word is a lamp; Joh 8:12 I am the light of the world … shall not walk in darkness. Light and darkness cannot co-exist.
iii) Purposes of light:
a) Exposes: Reveals things, e.g., jewelry viewed in bright light, cracks in pottery revealed in the light. Darkness covers, conceals.
b) Escorts: Guides, e.g., surveying instruments, laser beams. God’s Word is a light unto our path. Darkness confuses.
c) Energizes: Light is energy, e.g. photosynthesis, photo cells. Person born again is transformed. Darkness is negative energy.
II Breaking of our Fellowship v 6
i) Profession: If we claim. Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. It is not what we claim but what we really are that is important.
ii) Practice: Yet walk in darkness. Fellowship is broken by this but not relationship. Relationship happens when we are born again; fellowship is something that has to be maintained on an ongoing basis.
iii) How to break fellowship:
Don’t confess sin/ harbour bitterness/ get lax in your disciplines: prayer, fellowship, Word, witness/ be disobedient to commands in the Word: love God & neighbour/ ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit/ compare self with others/ etc.
III Blessing of our Fellowship v 7
i) Obtained by walking in the light: By being open and transparent to God’s Word and His Holy Spirit.
ii) Fellowship with God: We become agreed with God (Amo 3:3). We can walk with him.
iii) Fellowship with believers: When God’s light shines in our lives, it can shine through to others too.
iv) The Blood cleanses: The blood is effective only in the light. This solves our sin problem – a continuous cleansing takes place.
Conclusion:
Romans 13:12 the night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light. It is important that we examine ourselves to see that we are walking in the light.
