PART 2 How to Cultivate a Deeper Relationship with God.
Seek Out and Spend Time with People Who are Hungry for God
Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
(1 Corinthians 15:33)
(1 Corinthians 15:33)
The Principle of Influential Proximation
It’s a fact. Your mother knew what she was doing when she wanted to see who your friends were before she let you go out with them. Bad company corrupts good character. But we don’t have to be as extreme to see what I like to call the Principle of Influential Proximation at work. The Principle of Influential Proximation states the longer and closer in relationship you are to a person or group the more like them you will become. To apply this principle to your advantage you must seek out and surround yourself with men and women of God who when pricked ooze holiness, righteousness, and zeal for God.
It’s a fact. Your mother knew what she was doing when she wanted to see who your friends were before she let you go out with them. Bad company corrupts good character. But we don’t have to be as extreme to see what I like to call the Principle of Influential Proximation at work. The Principle of Influential Proximation states the longer and closer in relationship you are to a person or group the more like them you will become. To apply this principle to your advantage you must seek out and surround yourself with men and women of God who when pricked ooze holiness, righteousness, and zeal for God.
The Example of Jesus as a Boy
At 12 years old Jesus was aware of this principle when his family went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After three days of searching for their son they found him “in the Temple Courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47
Evidently, Jesus at a young age didn’t have the opportunity to surround himself with learned godly men and he wasn’t leaving until he got his fill! Who have you sought out to listen to and ask questions as Jesus did? Who have you surrounded yourself with whose walk is worthy of the call?
At 12 years old Jesus was aware of this principle when his family went to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. After three days of searching for their son they found him “in the Temple Courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47
Evidently, Jesus at a young age didn’t have the opportunity to surround himself with learned godly men and he wasn’t leaving until he got his fill! Who have you sought out to listen to and ask questions as Jesus did? Who have you surrounded yourself with whose walk is worthy of the call?
The Example of the Apostle Paul
The Apostle Paul also understood this principle and encouraged the recipients of his letter to, Be ye followers of me, even as I also [am] of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 So I exhort you to seek out a spiritual guide. Don’t let that phrase scare you just because the New Age movement has adopted it. Let’s just be specific here. You need more than a one dose exposure from someone behind the pulpit once a week. If the only time you see your pastor is at the church building then that doesn’t qualify. Ask God to bring into your life a person to whom you can walk along side and watch how they live. Someone who also sees how you live and you give permission for them to speak into your life through encouragement, exhortation, and even rebuke when needed.
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