"FELLOWSHIP WITH THE FATHER AND THE SON"

     In 1 John 1:3 the apostle invites those that receive his letter to have
fellowship with him; stating that the fellowship he is having is     (truly)
with the Father and the Son.  And then he further states that this is written
that their joy may be full.  Obviously, the fullness of joy can only be
experienced when true fellowship with the Father and the Son is established.  It is
clear that he had something that they didn't.  (He had fellowship with the
Father and the Son -- but apparently they did not! or else they would not have
gotten the letter.)  
     Further, what a hypocrite he would have been  to write to them that
"they sin not",  and have sin himself.  NO! NO!  the apostles' heart had
already been cleansed of ALL sin.
     Then in 1 John 1:5, he decribes God's eternal state - a state of     "no
darkness".  This description was given to them so that they could know and
understand who it was they were to fellowship.  Now in Verse 6 he informs
them -- saying that if one says he has fellowship with God and walks in
darkness " IT IS A CATASTROPHE"  and it really is not doing the truth --
which is fellowshipping the Father and the Son.  
     Now, since he (John) has this fellowship, and desires it to be with them
also, he states in Verse 7 "But if we (you & I) walk in the light, as he is in
the light, we have fellowship with one another".  Establishing forever the
requirement to have fellowship with God -- man must walk in the exact same
light that God is in --- "NO  DARKNESS". Then there is true fellowship and
the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses from all sin.  God, and remaining sin in
the heart of man, will not ever fellowship!  Sin must be removed!  Confessed sins are
already forgiven! -- Sin (the nature) must be removed.
     Now in Verse 8 he states "If we say that we have no sin,  we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us."  Many have used this verse to say
"see, John is telling us right there that he had sin." After
having admonished them as we've described above, he includes himself in (We).
Here the Holy Spirit cannot exclude John from  this statement!  Since it is
true for all men.  Here the apostle is dealing with the confession of their
mouths and the reality of their lives.  If men say they have no sin (when in
fact they do) they deceive themselves and the truth (Christ) is not in them.
And, he must speak this corporately using (We) so as not to exclude himself
from them in this matter.
     Secondly,  this scripture deals with what men say of themselves. Jesus
said "He that speaks of himself seeks his own glory; but he that seeketh his 
glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him."  So 
clearly, men should never say the words "We have no sin" seeking glory for 
themselves!  What then is the truth of the matter --- Here it is!  To have no 
sin -- but not speak it!  Pride eliminated. No desire to draw attention to one's self.
     James 1:22 says "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, 
deceiving your own selves." (1 John 2:4) "He that says ' I know him ' and keeps 
not his commandments is a liar,  and the truth (Christ) is not in him."  
To know him = keeping his commandments. (all of them -- all of the time)