The Spiritual Cycle in Christian Life: Four Crucial Matters

 

The Spiritual Cycle in Christian Life: Four Crucial Matters 

1 John 1:2 – “The life was manifested… we show unto you that eternal life.”

1 John 1:7,9 – “The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 

Aspect	Eternal Life	Fellowship of Eternal Life	Divine Light	Blood of Jesus
Meaning	God’s life, uncreated, endless, received by believers at regeneration  (1 John 5:11-12).	The reality of communion with the Father and the Son in the Spirit (1 John 1:3).	God’s attribute manifested, exposing the true condition of man (1 John 1:5).	Christ’s redeeming blood shed for forgiveness and cleansing (Hebrews 9:14).
Symbol	Source of life; God Himself as life (1 John 1:2).	Family fellowship; the flow of love and life.	God is light with no darkness.	Atonement, covering, cleansing.
Distinction	God’s nature, different from created life.	Not life itself, but the flowing and sharing of life.	Light is the expression of life, exposing man’s condition.	Unlike light, the blood does not expose but solves the problem.
Effect	Brings man into God’s family, into fellowship, living before God.	Enables believers to share corporate divine fellowship.	Illumination reveals the need for the cleansing of the blood.	Cleanses all sins and restores fellowship.
Example	Believers receiving life by faith in Christ (John 3:16).	Fellowship in gatherings, mutual supply in the Spirit (Acts 2:42).	During prayer or worship, believers are enlightened to see hidden sins.	Under the light, believers confess sins and are cleansed (1 John 1:9).
Application	Daily prayer and enjoyment of Christ for supply of life.	Maintain fellowship with God and others in prayer, reading, and meetings.	Do not reject the light; submit and confess sins immediately.	Rely on the blood at all times, free from accusation, restored to joy.
Interrelation	Life is the source, bringing forth fellowship, light, and blood.	Fellowship is the flow of life, leading to light.	Light exposes darkness, pointing to the need of the blood.	The blood maintains fellowship, continuing the cycle of life.
Scriptures	1 John 5:11-12 – “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life.”	1 John 1:3 – “That you also may have fellowship with us; indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”	1 John 1:5,7 – “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all… if we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.”	Hebrews 9:14 – “How much more shall the blood of Christ… cleanse your conscience…”

 

Key Points

• The cycle is life → fellowship → light → blood → deeper life.
• This cycle produces spiritual growth until believers reach maturity, “to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13).
• God not only prepared the blood for cleansing but also Christ as our Advocate with the Father (1 John 2:1-2).

 

Conclusion:

The Christian life is a continuous spiritual cycle. Eternal life gives fellowship, fellowship brings light, light exposes sin, and the blood cleanses to restore fellowship—leading again to deeper life. This cycle is not for condemnation but for cleansing, growth, and maturity in Christ.

 

*Please refer to the June 2025 Summer Training, General Topic: Experiencing, Enjoying, and Manifesting Christ (Part 3), Chapter 11: The Fellowship of Eternal Life – The Reality of Living in the Body of Christ