One of the most powerful gifts of the Christian walk is the privilege of fellowship with
God. This relationship is not distant or one-sided; rather, it is dynamic, personal, and alive.
Revelation 21:3 paints a picture of God’s ultimate desire, to dwell with His people and
wipe away every tear from their eyes. God created us for fellowship with Him, and one of
the most essential aspects of that fellowship is hearing from Him. John heard a great voice
from heaven because he had a deep relationship, and consequently, a committed
fellowship, with God. Christ
Fellowship with God means more than just attending church or reciting prayers. It involves
communion, deep interaction, sharing time, and truly relating with Him as a friend. As 1
John 1:3 reminds us, “Truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus
Christ.” John shows us that we can only have fellowship with the Father through Jesus
Christ. Jesus Christ opens the door for us to walk with God, not just in doctrine, but in
daily life. Fellowship with God requires for us to spend quality time with Him, to hear
from Him, to speak with Him, and to enjoy His presence as we would with a trusted friend.
Developing this kind of intimate relationship requires intentionality. Jesus said in John
10:27, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” Jesus reminds us
that fellowship with Him, and ultimately with God, requires for us to know Him, hear Him
and, without reservation, follow Him. John 8:12 tells us that Jesus is the Light of the
World, and when we follow Him, we will not walk in darkness. We are reminded in 1 John
1:5 that “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” In order words, you can define
God as Light, Pure Light, Perfect Light. If we desire to fellowship with God, we must
intentionally make up our minds walk in His light and disassociate with darkness. Matthew
6:24, tells us “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the
other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.”
Fellowship with the Lord also requires us to know His voice. John 10:5 counsels the sheep
of the Lord not only to refrain from hearing a stranger but also to flee from him. A stranger
in this context is anyone or anything that distracts or diverts us from our God-given
purpose. Genesis 39:7-11, tells us of how Joseph fled from Mrs. Potiphar who was
determined to see him commit sin and break his fellowship with God. The beloved of the
Lord who are determined to have an enduring and unbroken fellowship with Christ and
God must learn to flee from sin and from all its appearances – 1 Corinthians 6:18, 1
Thessalonians 5:22.
Zacchaeus, in Luke 19:1-9, determined to break his relationship with the world of darkness
and begin a new walk and fellowship with Jesus Christ, the Light of God, set aside his
pride, his prominence, his wealth, his ego, and decided to pay whatever price necessary,
including running and climbing a tree so he could see Jesus Christ, and thankfully, he was
not disappointed. Similarly, Jacob in Genesis 32:24 wrestled with God alone. You must
seek Him personally with utmost humility to walk, and have intimate fellowship, with
Him. Zacchaeus had to come down from his tree of pride to walk with Jesus, and we must
do the same. Hebrews 1:9 tells us to “…loved righteousness and hate iniquities” and like
David in Psalm 139:20-22, we must love what God loves and hate what He hates if we
must truly fellowship with Him.
Deepening your fellowship with God is central to having a vibrant spiritual life, requiring
you to be intentional, humble and discerning, as the sheep of the Lord, in your daily walk
with the Lord, and in your relationship with family members – immediate, extended and
church – friends, neighbors, and others in your sphere of influence.