Over the past couple of weeks I have been “in time out” –taking a break from social media, main stream media, and the world in general. It has been a time of refreshing and restoration for my soul. As often happens, when seasons change, and I take time alone with The LORD, there comes a new clarity; a new perspective on the way I view my journey. This time ‘away’ has been SO revealing, and my plan was to share some of the insights with you. But God, as He so often does, blessed me with the exact message we [you and I] needed to hear, using a teacher I greatly respect, to say exactly what we [you and I] need to mediate on in the coming season.

Is Something Missing?

As a teacher I am constantly reviewing my teaching and the teachings of others. I have no illusion that I have all the answers. We all know in part. I have been influenced by other great, well-known teachers over the years. I was reading a book last night that blessed me years ago, but this time seemed sterile. Truths were presented more as formulas to get from point A to point B. The information was true, but something was missing.

I’m familiar with the author and I know that he passed away several years ago from an illness that formulas didn’t beat. I will not presume that his book captured the full depth of his walk with God, but it triggered something in me that I want to share with you.

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

John 14:6

Is it possible that many of us have grasped that Jesus is the Way and the Truth, but we are missing the full dynamic of the Life? Can we separate truth from life and still have life? As a teacher for many years, I can look back and see where I have been guilty of this. Truth is powerful, and truth sets people free (John 8:31-32), but truth (good teaching in this context), cannot stand alone apart from Life.

What I am saying is this: Life is fellowship with God. Adam and Eve were to walk and talk with God in the Garden. Truth would come from fellowship. So often we speak of “relationship” with God, but seldom do we speak of “fellowship.” Relationship is by blood. Fellowship is by choice.
Truth that is separated from life can become a formula. Truth that springs from fellowship with the Father will be life. John understood this and said it this way:

“that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.”

1 John 1:3

“Our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son.”

That which is seen and heard in fellowship is the truth we declare. Until we choose true fellowship, we will be left with formulas and frustration. I have experienced this and perhaps you have too. I encourage you to have fellowship with the Father. Let Him reveal the truth of His Word to you. It will never be a formula. It will be life.

copyright – Barry Bennett

Dear Hearts, I am excited to hear your thoughts on Dr. Bennett’s insights. In the meantime, there are a few other things I’ll be sharing in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned.