We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
John’s intent in proclaiming his intimate knowledge of Christ was so that his readers could have fellowship with the apostles – enjoying the same belief, peace, hope, and joy carried by each of the eleven. As believers we gain the same free access to the Father through the Son, just as the eyewitness apostles.
The fellowship of the apostles is “with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” Although this union did not put the apostles on the same level as God, they now had things in common with the Father. We have fellowship with God through prayer, meditation, and worship. When we have fellowship with the Father we will see things from his perspective, love people with his love, be filled with the fruit of his Spirit, and engage in the work he would have us do.
The Greek “have fellowship" literally signifies a partnership. "We are laborers together with God" (1 Corinthians 3:9). Although God could perform his work through miracles alone, he chooses to fellowship with us and works through us so that our effort brings forth fruit.
How often do we chose to trudge through our day without fellowshipping with God and seeking to let Him live through us? How much more peace and fruit would our lives bring forth if we took the time to intentionally fellowship with Him?
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