In John chapter 15 Jesus said, “If you maintain a living communion with me and my words are at home in you, I command you to ask, at once, something for yourself, whatever your heart desires, and it will become yours. In this my Father is glorified, namely, that you are bearing much fruit. So shall you become my disciples” (vv. 7-8 Wuest).
God’s Word becoming fruitful in and through us is directly linked to the maintaining of a living, rich, continuing fellowship with the Lord. The richness of God’s life does not come from a one hour Sunday-morning experience. That works no better than a marriage whose partners express their love at a predetermined time once each week.
Instead, it is the freedom to come to God spontaneously and pour our love out to Him, and receive love from Him that creates a viable and powerful relationship. Look at First Corinthians 1:9 from The Amplified Bible.
“God is faithful — reliable, trustworthy and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on; by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Called into companionship with the Lord means to go where He is going and to do what He is doing. We can be a companion of Jesus. We are no longer linked to the darkness in this world, but He has delivered us from darkness and shone His light within us. Light now shines in us — the light of the gospel — and that is where the power is.
A companion is one who walks side by side with another. Not tagging along far behind, but together — united. We walk in light with Him. We were once in darkness, but He has brought us into His light. Ephesians 5:8-9 from the Weymouth translation says:
“There was a time when you were nothing but darkness. Now, as Christians, you are Light itself. Live and act as sons of light — for the effect of the Light is seen in every kind of goodness, uprightness and truth.”
As a companion to the Author of Light, we reveal the effects of that light in our inner being. We demonstrate His goodness. We walk in uprightness. We manifest the truth. This is when our participation begins to come. As we demonstrate that His goodness is toward people everywhere, those around us see God in a new perspective. Romans 2:4 tells us that it is God’s goodness, not tragedy, that leads men to repentance.
God’s light in us has a dual effect. First, it frees us from the effects that darkness and corruption had upon us. Second, it flows out of us in the form of goodness, uprightness, and truth. These are powerful forces that bring God’s abilities to the forefront through us. Notice First Peter 2:9 from the Phillips translation,
“But you are God’s ‘chosen generation,’ his ‘royal priesthood,’ his ‘holy nation,’ his ‘peculiar people’ — all the old titles of God’s people now belong to you. It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into His amazing light.”
This Scripture reveals that God is reproducing Himself in you! Then He can demonstrate Himself to the world through you. Begin the adventure of unhindered fellowship with your Heavenly Father. Make communion with Him your number one priority.
