The Path of Close Fellowship – The Disciple-Making Lifestyle

What is the real purpose of life? Isn’t it pleasing God and following His leadership? No child of God wants to think or act contrary to His will. The Bible teaches us that living the Christian life and following the Holy Spirit’s guidance are both completely possible. However, neither are possible without knowing Christ. The Lord therefore explained, “…without Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Ours is first and foremost, a highly practical faith – anyone who sincerely believes what God the Father has said about His Son can please – Him. Furthermore, everyone is invited to participate. However, Christian discipleship requires that we grow and progressively learn to rely on His guidance. As time passes, we are to learn to depend upon His providence and divine power.

Spiritual maturity involves discovering that God is fully able to act in and through our lives during everyday situations. The Bible says, “…for with God, nothing is impossible.” (Luke 1:37) He is able to take us places where no one else can. To the apostles He simply said, “Follow Me…” (Matthew 4:19)

Imagine our all-powerful Lord – the creator of heaven and earth wanting to work through our simple lives. This seems unthinkable, but that is exactly what the Bible teaches. Choosing Christ’s narrow path of personal fellowship may at first look challenging, but remember that the Holy Spirit will teach and watch over us on the journey. This year, are you willing to advance further? Are you prepared for the Lord to begin revealing the next step to fulfill your life’s purpose? He wants to teach you how to share His love and walk by faith – one day at a time (See Romans 1:17).

There is nothing so natural as the supernatural in the experience of a redeemed child of God. This fulfillment comes from enjoying and resting in His will. We are already empowered to succeed in everything that truly pleases Him.

The Lord desires our worship and our daily fellowship. Consider 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Remember that He does not want you to continually be busy. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10) Nor does He want a list of excuses – as reasons for our spiritual indifference. Mediocrity is nowhere in His plan for His children, so this year is a time to press ahead in excellence!

Consider Paul’s walk of faith. He experienced hunger, hardship, imprisonment, and rejection, but that’s exactly when those around him most clearly viewed the powerful impact of his fellowship with God. Through his example, we can learn that our daily challenges, needed spiritual development, and God’s fellowship walk hand in hand. We are each called to long-term, life-transforming spiritual maturity. Understanding this, please quietly pause to meditate on this verse.

“…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)

How will I live today – will it be in or out of close fellowship with God? That inescapable choice is entirely mine to make. He deserves my adoration and intentional closeness – moment by moment, every hour of every day. However, He will never force me to enjoy the undeserved blessing of His fellowship!

God has faithfully promised never to leave us, but the depth of our relationship with Him – is ours to choose (see Hebrews 13:5). His closeness is much more than a feeling, it is the result of a conscious decision to do His will rather than our own! The Bible explains this saying, “…it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13) Our Lord described the object of our Father’s spiritual pleasure when teaching the woman at the well. He said, “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.” (John 4:23)

We are personally being sought to experience the world’s highest conceivable privilege and honor – close personal fellowship with our Creator, Savior, and Lord!