The Greek word, Koinonia, is used for fellowship and expresses a relationship of great intimacy. It can be used as an expression for the marital relationship – the most intimate between human beings that describes a life together in which everything is shared. Our relationship with God and with others is characterized by honest communication that results in authenticity and an intimate connection.


We need to be constantly reminded of God’s love for us. Our intimate connection with the Lord is based on his enduring love for us. In Psalm 136 the psalmist repeats, ‘His mercy endureth forever’ twenty-six times. Our response should be giving thanks to God for:


1. Who He is: He is the God of gods and Lord of Lords.


2. What He has made: He made the heavens, stretched out the earth, and made the sun, the moon and the stars.


3. What He has done for us: He delivered us from sin’s bondage.


How can we have an intimate relationship with the Father and with the Son? John provides some very definitive ways in chapter one of his first epistle. We are enabled to ‘walk in the light’ because of the blood of Jesus, which ‘cleanses us from all sin’ (v.7). Because of this, even though we are still sinners (v.8), we can receive continual forgiveness for our sins. And ‘if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness’ (v.9). It is important that we keep short accounts with God. When we sin, we need to quickly confess, repent and receive God’s cleansing. There is an extraordinary balance here. We are not supposed to sin, but rather to walk in the light. However, we have all sinned and, ‘if we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us’ (v.10).


How thankful we should be that when we mess up, Jesus is our advocate who speaks to the Father in our defense. It is only because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross that makes it possible to talk to the Father and the Son in the intimate relationship of ‘fellowship’. We also see this connection with other believers. A clear conscience, love, obedience, intimacy with God and with others all go hand in hand.