September 3

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful. — 1 Cor 1:9 BSB

Nothing distinguishes the true, living faith of God's saints from the dead, lifeless formality of false professors like communion with God.

Consider the saints of old. Abel sought fellowship with God when he offered the firstlings of his flock as a sacrifice, looking forward to the atoning blood of Christ. God accepted his offering, testifying to his faith, and here was communion between Abel and God. Enoch "walked with God," and how can two walk together unless they are agreed? Abraham was called “the friend of God.” Moses spoke to God face to face. David was a man after God’s own heart. Each of these great saints enjoyed intimate fellowship with God. Despite their sufferings, recorded in Hebrews 11, they were sustained by this sweet communion with their Father. They endured torture, rejection, and suffering, yet they refused deliverance because they longed for a better resurrection, knowing that in eternity they would see the God with whom they had walked in communion here on earth.

And so it is with the saints today. God calls His people into fellowship with Himself. As Paul writes, “God is faithful, by whom you were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Just as God called Abraham out of the land of the Chaldeans, He calls His chosen ones out of the world, out of darkness and sin, out of self-righteousness and empty religion, into sweet communion with Himself. All His dealings with our souls—our afflictions, trials, and sorrows—are meant to bring us closer to Him. These glimpses of fellowship with Him in this life are foretokens of the eternity of joy and love we will experience in His presence forever.