The real tragedy is that today we have Christians who recognize their union in Christ, but have no communion with Christ. Through simple faith and acceptance of the sacrifice Jesus made for you, a union has taken place.

You have been united with God. But the union alone is not the end of God's plan. God longs for fellowship. Fellowship becomes the communion. Our pursuit for fellowship with God is what makes our union with Him vibrant and alive.

How Real Is He To You?
It is a sad reality that God is no more real to many Christians than He is to unbelievers. These Christians have accepted the union, but denied God their communion.

Maintain a living communion with me, and I with you. Just as the branch is unable to be bearing fruit from itself as a source unless it remains in a living union with the vine, so neither you, unless you maintain a living communion with me.
(John 15:4 Wuest)

Just as a branch draws its life-giving sap from the vine, you and I draw the flow of God's life through our intimate times of communion in His Word and prayer.

The reason people waver in their confidence in God is because they deny themselves the privilege of communion and fellowship with the Father.

Jesus goes on to say in John 15:7-8:

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.
(Wuest translation)

God's Word becoming fruitful in and through you is directly linked to the maintaining of a living, rich, continuing fellowship with God.

The richness of God's life does not come from a one-hour-a-week, Sunday-morning experience. That works no better than a marriage whose partners express their love at a predetermined time once each week.

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 again at 1 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.

Companionship With God
Called into companionship means to go where He is going, to do what He is doing. You can be a companion to Jesus. You are no longer linked to the darkness in this world, but He has delivered you from darkness and shone His light within you. Light now shines in you, 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 in darkness, but He has brought light into us.

Ephesians 5:8,9 from the Weymouth translation says this: 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, you reveal the effects of that light in your inner being. You demonstrate His goodness. You walk in uprightness, You manifest the truth. This is when your participation begins to come. As you demonstrate that His goodness is toward people everywhere, those around you see God in a new perspective. It is His goodness that leads men to repentance.

God’s light in you has a dual effect. First, it frees you from the effects that darkness and corruption had upon you. Second, it flows out of you in the form of goodness, uprightness and truth. These are powerful forces that bring God’s abilities to the forefront through you.

Notice 1 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.

God is reproducing Himself in you! He will show Himself to the world through you. Begin the adventure of unhindered fellowship with your Heavenly Father. Make communion with Him your No. 1 priority.

Source: Knowing God Intimately by Dennis Burke.
Excerpt permission granted by Dennis Burke Ministries