I am proclaiming what I have seen and heard so you also may have fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ.

Today’s Scripture: 1 John 1:3, NIV- “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”

I am not trying to convince anyone of the validity of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. However, I would love to welcome others into this fellowship that I have seen and heard.

Some people enjoy debate, I enjoy sharing experiences of the light of God. Intellectual conversations do not share the same perspectives as experiential conversations. We cannot re-create the light of God, but we can reflect it. There really is a strange dichotomy that comes into play when those who have experienced God know how little they had to do with this experience.

Once we have been humbled by the experience of fellowshipping with God, we are emboldened to proclaim it because we know it is about God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ and not us. I am not proclaiming my perspectives; I am proclaiming what I have seen and heard because I know you can experience God too.

How can I be so confident? Because I experience God almost every time I show up. I have seen and heard things that only the Word of Life can explain. Therefore, I challenge others to simply show up. Let us not spend any time debating our understandings until we understand we have spent time looking, listening, and crying out for God.

It is in these moments where we become compelled as John stated in 1 John 1:4, “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (NKJV) One thing I have noticed this morning is that the older translations interpret this scripture as “your” joy may be full. The more modern translations of 1 John 1:4 say we write these things so “our” joy may be complete.

The decisions of others regarding their fellowship with the Father and His Son will never steal my joy. However, my joy can be made more complete by fulling God’s great commission for all of us and that is to make disciples of all nations. This is why I write and proclaim what I have found. Maybe those of us who have come from the darkest of places, appreciate 1 John 1:5 more. “This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” (NKJV)

When one tires of the darkness, they are more receptive to receiving the light. There is no need to understand, simply receive. I have not created my own joy or light; I was simply in the dark long enough to recognize this light and know it was not of my own power. I know the truth that, on my own power, I walk in darkness. In God’s power I walk in the fellowship of joy.

In lesson one of Celebrate Recovery we discuss how denial of our hurts, habits, and hang-ups isolates us from God. What I have seen and heard is if we will leave our isolation and understanding behind and welcome the light of God, there is no darkness at all. Even when darkness attempts to creep in, the light of God, the promises of Jesus, and the power of the Spirit provide complete joy.

The blood of Jesus purifies us. Outside influences cannot muddy what He has already purified. I have seen and heard this purification process, and I am welcoming you into this fellowship of joy.

Today’s Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for welcoming me into fellowship with You, Your Son, and Holy Spirit. Help me LORD to proclaim what I have seen and heard so others may have fellowship with You. Thank You LORD for Your light and joy that I may write and proclaim to others so they may come to know Your Word of life. In the name of Jesus Christ we do pray. Amen.