Most everyone acknowledges God as “the Eternal One,” who is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, and invisible. In other words, we recognize God as the Spirit that is always present, all-powerful, all-knowing, and not contained by natural forms. With such “unnatural” abilities, God could appear to be un-relatable. Yet, just the opposite is true; our Eternal God is very relational!
You see, all humans are offspring of God. A deposit of God’s Spirit is within every person, usually referred to as the ‘spirit of life.’ When our spirit departs, our body returns to dust (a) [see end notes for all Scriptures]. Since the Spirit of God is the source of our life, we all have the ability to relate to Him.
Everyone is born into this life as an image and likeness of God (b). We are all designed to reflect Him (as a mirror) and resemble Him (as a child). Considering we are extensions of God, do we reflect Him appropriately? Who is the God we represent and “share?”
Who God essentially is, at least who we think He is, becomes our inspiration. Our personal perception of His motives and temperament affects how clearly our life reflects Him. How well do we understand the actual heart of God, the one we are intended to reflect and share? Are we as the Prodigal Son (c) living ‘my way’ or responding as beloved and cherished children?
Since we are offspring and extensions of God, we are to reflect and share Him appropriately.
Reflect and Share God
As we have previously written, Scripture is clear about God’s core nature, “God is light and God is love” (d). Consequently, His expressions are loving and enlightening, void of any darkness, hatred or contempt for us (e). The character, attitude and personality (CAP) traits of God we choose to focus on influence what kind of person we are.
How do you perceive God? Is the God you worship long-suffering, forgiving, and dedicated to our maturing growth? Or, is He impatient and condemning as though our lack of response could affect His love for us (f)? What motivates our conversations and efforts to reflect and share Him?
The traits of God we choose to focus on influence what kind of person we are.
Sharing Spiritual Fruit
Scripture calls a description of the expressive CAP qualities of God ‘spiritual fruit.’
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit (g).
This ‘fruit’ describes the type and quality of expressions emanating from God. These fruitful attributes convey and demonstrate God’s attitudes. This admonition encourages us to walk by the Spirit and live by these godly attitudes. Are these CAP qualities recognized in the words and tone of our expressions?
How well have we: Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other (h).
Since God “is light” and He “is love” we must continually ask ourselves, how “loving and enlightening” are our expressions? Do we tend to condemn others because they are not like us, as though what we see and understand about God is the only way?
We are to reflect and share ‘spiritual fruit’ – God’s loving and enlightening expressions.
Immersing Others in God
Scripture gives us guidelines for sharing the Good News about the quality of life God encourages. One of the last instructions Jesus gave his followers is generally called, The Great Commission. In the directive, Jesus said; “Go and disciple all nations, immersing them into the identity of God-in-Christ (j).
The Greek translated ‘disciple’ means: to learn, become attached to, and follow. We follow so closely that we appear to be attached to Him and we share faith by our Christ-like example. Paul put it this way: “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (k). We want to be so devoted, being Christ-reflective that our sharing is only perceived as encouraging, strengthening, and uplifting!
Our commission is much more than promoting a belief system or adherence to a set of rules. Here are a few of many ways Paul interpreted this commission. Notice the words; encourage, strengthen and build-up one another.
Encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone (m).
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another (n).
Having been built on the foundation…Christ Jesus himself being the corner stone…are being built together into a dwelling of God (o).
Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble (p).
Comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word (r).
Firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith (s).
Pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another (t).
What is the outcome then…let all things be done for edification (u).
We are to ‘Go and immerse others into the identity of God-in-Christ.’
Sharing Attractive Illustrations of God’s Love
How do we encourage, strengthen and build-up one another in faith (to hear and respond to God)? First, we personally pursue God and His ways. Then, we share our life and words as examples of our commitment to God-in-Christ, as children devoted to His CAP.
To clarify; we encourage by lovingly motivating others; strengthen by supporting and fortifying; build up by enhancing and enlarging faithful devotion.
As we walk in the fellowship of His presence, our lives are progressively transformed. We grow into levels of maturity, purity, and integrity. Families experience more love, forgiveness, security, peace, provision, and order. Our businesses even thrive because of Christ-like leadership and productivity.
When our interactions are more like discussions than arguments, we become attractive illustrations of God’s love. It is in these sharing interactions that Jesus can appear to arise in our midst (w). And, this is our ultimate goal in sharing.
In fellowship with God, our Christ-like interactions become attractive illustrations of His love.
a) Ecclesiastics 12:7; b) Genesis 1:26; c) Luke 15:11-32; d) 1 John 1:5; 4:16; e) 1 John 1:5; f) Romans 3:3-4; g) Galatians 5:22-23, 25; h) Colossians 3:12-13; j) Matthew 28:19; k) 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17; 4:9; m) 1Thessalonians 5:14; n) 1Thessalonians 5:11; o) Ephesians 2:20-22; p) Hebrews 12:12; r) 2 Thessalonians 2:17; s) Colossians 2:7; t) Romans 14:19; u) 1 Corinthians 14:26; w) Matthew 18:20; Luke 24:14-15
Keith Carroll, “The Relationship Guy”
Relational Gospel Founder
The Fellowship of God’s Presence author
http://bit.ly/KeithCarrollBooksAmazon