1st.John 1:1-2:2 "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the WORD of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the FATHER, and was manifested unto us;) that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the FATHER, and with HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of HIM, and declare unto you, that GOD is light, and in HIM is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with HIM, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
But if we walk in the light, as HE is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of JESUS CHRIST HIS SON cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make HIM a liar, and HIS WORD is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an ADVOCATE with the FATHER, JESUS CHRIST the RIGHTEOUS: and HE is the propitiation (sacrificial payment) for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
The "vertical" refers to our relationship with our SAVIOR and LORD. "GOD is faithful, by WHOM we were called unto the fellowship of HIS SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD" (1st.Corinthians 1:9). The "horizontal" refers to our relationship with other people: believers in CHRIST, loved ones, family members, neighbors, etc. The key to the horizontal is the vertical. If we are to relate in a proper way to our fellow man, then it is essential for our heart to be right with GOD. The foundation of our fellowship with other believers is our relationship with GOD: "that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the FATHER, and with HIS SON JESUS CHRIST" (1st.John 1:3 pictured at top of post). Our union with GOD HIMSELF makes it possible to enjoy oneness with fellow saints (Ephesians 4:1-3). 
The vertical relationship must ever be our priority. Only as we keep our heart right with GOD can we be all that we should be to others. Those around us may not have a vertical relationship (unsaved), or perhaps they have a broken vertical relationship (carnal Christian). We cannot fix their problems, but we can be a testimony to them through our own fellowship with GOD. In a marriage as well as in other relationships between two believers, it is helpful to think of a triangle. GOD is at the top, and the two believers are on either side at the bottom. As both proceed upward toward GOD, they will find not only that they are drawing closer to the LORD but also closer to each other. Again, our GODward relationship is the key to every human relationship. Many will be offended by our vertical relationship (John 15:18-20 pictured above) yet may that drive us even closer to the heart of GOD. Stand firm against anything that hinders the vertical ! GWZ
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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