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

When we think of God, we think of Righteous, Pure and Holy.  God is all of these things and so much more.  However, He is not so distant that we cannot have a sweet relationship with Him.  God is not some distant being who is millions of miles away that we can only read about in the Bible.  God is love and He give us the opportunity to have fellowship with Him.

In the Greek language, the word "fellowship" means "to partner".  For instance, it's like Brother Tim and myself going into a business deal together.  We want to see it prosper so we do everything in our power to make it work.  Why do we not have the same drive to partnership with Christ?  God welcomes us to come into His presence and share His sweet fellowship.  However, in order for us to have this fellowship, we must follow some conditions.  God is Light and if God is pure, holy, and righteous, we must agree that His walk is perfect and we must walk His way. 

While reading the book reviews in the newspaper this morning, there was an article on an Atheist who has written a book on why he does not believe in God.  He said, "Religion is the folly of weak-minded people and a bunch of whoey!"  He may get away with that on earth, but when his breath leaves his body and he comes face-to-face with God, let him tell God, "You're not real!"  It will be too late to change his mind.  I have said before, "I would rather take my chances with the Word of God."  But to borrow an expression from Brother Crabtree, "Why not trust the God of the Word?"  I know God is holy.  I also know He gives us the invitation to fellowship with Him.

If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not he truth.                       I John 1:6

In my encounter with people, I want to know what their relationship is with the Lord.  If I ask them, "Are you a Christian?", and get the answer, "Well, I think I am", I have to wonder about their true salvation.  Folks, I would not want to leave this world with the slightest doubt.  I do not want to base my eternity on thinking "Maybe I'm right."  I want to know without a shadow of doubt that I am saved.  There is no such thing as a wishy-washy religion.  Either we are saved or we are not.  We cannot serve two Gods.  You are firmly rooted into Christ, or you are firmly rooted into the world.  You cannot serve two masters.  Jesus had confirmed it so clearly  --- you will love the one and hate the other.  Amos 3:3 asks the question, "Can two walk together except they be agreed?"  To have fellowship one cannot go one way and the other person take another way.

I say this with love and compassion -- although baptism is important, you must first be committed to Christ.  If you are wondering why I bring this point out, it is because many people who were baptized as children base their salvation on baptism alone.  Anyone can be baptized, but it takes the blood of Christ to wash away sin.  It is not going down to the creek and being put under the water that saves us.  It is what Jesus did at Calvary two thousand years ago that saves us.  It is by His blood our sins are washed away.

But if we walk in the light, we have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.           I John 1:7

When I call you my church family, I honestly mean that.  We have a strong bond because we all love Jesus.  Many of my biological family members do not have that same bond with me.  I feel more comfortable with you, my church family, because we walk in the light together.  We are spiritually bonded and the Blood of the Lamb of God has covered our sins.  Regardless of what name is written on the door of the church, we are still family.  If we have invited God into our hearts and been washed clean by His blood, we are kinfolk in God's family.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  
I John 1:8

We are not perfect.  To believe we never sin is to lie.  If you have ever felt the convicting Hand of God, you need to confess and make things right.  To fellowship with God is to walk in His light.  To walk in His light is to know peace.

From the Pulpit pf Pastor Jr Fields
May 13, 2007

Sermon edited by Mary King

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