The Fruit of an Encounter

As leaders we must ask ourselves this question: “What is the goal of discipleship and where are we leading people?” Paul knew where he was leading people when he said in Galatians 4:19, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” The Message Bible puts it this way, “Until Christ’s life becomes visible in your lives.” As leaders our goal must be to lead people to Jesus until His life becomes visible in their lives. As we encourage those we lead to go deeper in the Word, to live a life of prayer, to practice the discipline of fasting, our goal is the same: to encounter Jesus. It is from an encounter with Jesus that the fruit we long to see in those we lead will manifest. As we cultivate an atmosphere for encounters in His Presence life begins to flow and that’s when change happens.

What is the fruit of encountering Jesus? What is the result of being in the Presence of God?

1. LOVE: A life of passionate love for Jesus is unlocked
   Our life was never meant to be a life of disciplines; it was always meant to be a life of passionate love, this is what we were created for! The disciplines of the Christian life should always result in a heart on fire for God. But how does one sustain a life of passion? Better yet, how does one increase in love for Jesus year after year? John 3:16, the most quoted Scripture ever, makes it very clear that “God so loved the world.” Then in John 15:9 Jesus instructs us to “abide in (His) love.” It is absolutely critical that we, as leaders, encounter the radical love of Jesus and learn to abide in that love, because it is in that encounter that our love for Jesus comes alive. John makes a profound statement in his first letter when he says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” Our love for God is directly related to His love for us. As we encounter Jesus and His passionate love for us, our lives become rich with love for Him. And as we lead others into encounters with the Presence of God their hearts become alive to God too. Anytime our love for God is dim it is only because we have distanced ourselves from His love for us.

2. HOLINESS: A life that is set apart to Jesus for His glory
   As we survey the landscape of this generation it is easy to recognize the struggle to fully give everything to God. This generation has more options then any generation in history: 900 TV channels, the ability to connect with people around the world instantly, access to the internet at anytime of day in any place, travel, finance, and more. I believe we are going to see the greatest generation arise in the church because they will choose Jesus in the midst of options. When I asked my wife to marry me I did not do it because I had no other options. I asked her to marry me because I had fallen in love with her and I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. There is a major difference between choosing someone when you have no other choice and choosing someone in the midst of options. That is what makes marriage so powerful. In the midst of options we choose that one person who has awakened our hearts. This generation, in the midst of immense options, is choosing Jesus. What a powerful statement. As we lead them into encounters with Jesus they will encounter His radical love for them. The response to coming face to face with the love of Jesus is to commit yourself to a life of holiness. Holiness is being set apart. It’s a life that says, “My life is yours completely -my dreams, my desires, my time, my energy, my finances, my strengths, my talents, my hobbies - all of it is Yours.” Holiness is not a result of discipline but it is a result of encounters. It’s a cry in our heart that says, “I long to look like my Father who is Holy.” It’s a burning in our heart that longs to be set apart so that Jesus can be glorified in the earth. Anytime I am struggling with sin or struggling with being set apart for Jesus, I must get into His Presence to encounter again His love for me. When that happens I easily give up those things that have been hindering my relationship with Him.

3. EVANGELISM: A life that loves to share with others the love of Jesus
   II Kings 7 tells the story of four lepers in Samaria, which was in famine because the Syrians had cut off their food supplies. The lepers realized they could either die from starvation or they could go to the camp of the Syrians and perhaps they would have mercy on them and feed them. When they approached the camp of the Syrians it was empty. The Lord had caused the Syrians to hear an approaching army and they fled. Immediately, the lepers began to feast on the food and drink that was left behind and grabbed silver, gold, and clothing. As they were feasting they stopped and said, “We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we remain silent.” They city of Samaria was still in famine while they were feasting. Conviction came on them that they must not only feast on what God had done but they must share that feast with those who were hungry. I believe with all of my heart that when we lead people into an encounter with the love of Jesus not only will their response be a life of holiness, but it will also be a life of evangelism. How easy is it to tell people the good news of Jesus when we ourselves have been feasting on love that has changed our lives!