Relationship vs. Fellowship

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - 1 John 1:9

It is crucial to distinguish between our relationship with God and our fellowship with God. When you are a child of God, you are in relationship with God. He's your Father; you are His child. That doesn't change. A doctrine that we need to understand and appreciate is called "The Security of the Believer" (we are secure in Christ). Another doctrine is "The Perseverance of the Saints" (true believers will persevere until the end).

In John 10:27-29, Jesus declares that God will hold you in His hands. He says, "You will not be snatched out of the Father's hands. You'll not be snatched out of My hand." Well, listen, that's your relationship, and your relationship remains unchanged. You're still His child even if you sin, but your fellowship can be damaged.

I have three boys. If one of them were to do something, they're not going to stop being my son. You who are parents know exactly what I'm talking about. They never stop being your child, and yet there may be something that has hurt your fellowship, and that fellowship is what God wants to restore if you'll let Him.

The guilty conscience is a gift from God when it leads to restoration of fellowship. In Hebrews 10:22, we read about people who should feel guilty, and they rightfully do feel guilty. This is the person who is in right relationship with God, but then they've stumbled, they've fallen, they've sinned in some way, and they feel guilty over it. This is a healthy conscience at work.

But Satan loves to take this gift and twist it. He wants to keep your guilty conscience lingering even after confession. He wants you to confess your sin, but then never accept God's forgiveness. He wants you to remain in a broken fellowship even though your relationship is secure.

What God wants is for His children to move from a guilty conscience to a clear conscience. He wants us to be like Paul who said in Acts 24:16, "I have lived my life in good conscience before God and man." That happens when we confess our sins specifically, turn from them, and then receive God's forgiveness completely - recognizing that He has cleansed us "from all unrighteousness."

Our enemy, Satan, also known as "the accuser of the brethren", loves to keep us wallowing in guilt - because a Christian who is constantly feeling guilty about forgiven sin is a Christian who isn't effectively serving God in the present. If Satan can keep you focused on past failures that God has already forgiven, he can rob you of present joy and future effectiveness.

Recognize that you have never stopped being God's son or daughter. Thank Him for His forgiveness and begin to repair the fellowship that was broken because of the sin. If you have asked God to forgive you of specific sin, remember this passage from God's Word: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” – Romans 8:1

Reflection Question: Is there an area where you've confessed sin but still feel a sense of broken fellowship with God? What would it look like for you to fully receive His forgiveness and restore that fellowship?

Father, thank You for the security I have in my relationship with You through Christ. I recognize that my sin doesn't change my relationship with You, but it can damage our fellowship. Help me to quickly confess my sins when I fail, and then to fully receive Your forgiveness rather than allowing the enemy to keep me in bondage to guilt. I choose today to walk in restored fellowship with You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "God's Answer for Guilt": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/x8v77x7/5-god-s-answer-for-guilt