Faith Project: ‎"Study diligently on this one...because we can't afford to be wrong on this issue.

‎"Study diligently on this one...because we can't afford to be wrong on this issue." Powerful words spoken by Francis Chan in his preview video for his upcoming book on Erasing Hell, as he discusses the importance of the doctrine of hell, and why at this crucial moment of ecclesiastical history Christianity can't afford to get it wrong.

The essential message of this video captivated my heart, spoke to my spirit. The Word of Truth is too important to ignore. We hold in our hands the very Word of God and many of us go days without even bothering to pick it up. It's not just the doctrine of hell that carries this importance. Our relationship with God is of primary important, we cannot afford to treat it lightly. God is full of mercy but we cannot afford to ignore our fellowship with Him.

As I study the scripture to discover how to "live redeemed" every day of my life, my spirit tunes in the call of God for fellowship. The story of Enoch caught my attention. His story is short and to the point. The only thing other than his lineage - who he was the son of and who his children were - the only thing we know about this man is that he had such a walk with God that God enjoyed Enoch so much He took Enoch home without the experience of death.

The only thing God chose to reveal to us about Enoch is that He (God) enjoyed fellowship with this man.

By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:5-6 NKV

The scripture says this of Enoch ..."before he was taken he had this as his testimony, that he pleased God." and then the author of Hebrews explains only faith qualifies one to please God. Further this faith consists in believing that God is - he exists - and that He (God) is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. True faith is active. In Genesis 5:24 when it says that Enoch walked with God, commentators say that this is a common phrase in Eastern countries denoting constant and familiar intercourse. God took pleasure in Enoch because Enoch was diligent about seeking Him (God). Enoch had constant and familiar intercourse with God.

The whole purpose of the Gospel - the power of the Gospel - is the message of how God went to great lengths to restore our fellowship with Him. Not only is our fellowship restored in salvation by the Blood of Jesus Christ, but we are invited to come boldly before God's Throne.

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJ

We are invited to come in our time of need - not when we "have it all together."

Someone once gave me a brochure that was something about spending "Seven minutes a day with God". I think the point of the author was to encourage the reader to spend time with God - even if it is "only seven minutes a day" with God.

Seriously? That's all we can give is seven minutes a day to share fellowship with the answer and provision to our every need?

If we understood the revelation of who God is and how passionately He desires fellowship with us - those who have been created in his image - we would order our entire day around spending time in His presence.