For centuries the human race has been intrigued with a passion and desire to go deeper. There is something about wanting to know or to experience life from a deeper perspective than we currently experience it. We have a tendency to be explorers; to wonder how we can push the boundaries of what we think we know to discover what we could not have known if we remained content with our current experiences.
This is true in so many areas of our natural lives and it is especially true of our spiritual lives. Going deeper takes intentionality, and meticulous effort and much time. That’s why:
A Deep Disciple
The deep disciple is one who is intentionally pursuing an intimate relationship with the heavenly Father, through a surrendered life to Jesus as Lord, in the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit.
So, where do we start? We start with a prayer that was prayed for a group of Christians some 2000 years ago by the Apostle Paul – Ephesians 3:14-21.
“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,” Ephesians 3:14-15
“so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith – that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21
Marks of a Deeper Disciple
- Experiences the of the Holy Spirit in his soul. — “to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being…” (16)
- Experiences the presence of Jesus in his heart. — “so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (17a)
- Experiences the of God’s kind of love for others. — “that you, being rooted and grounded in love…” (17b)
- Experiences the of Christ’s love for him. — “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge,” (18-19a)
- Experiences a life. — “that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (19b)
- Experiences the of God’s ability to answer prayer. — “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” (20)
How Do We Develop a Deeper Life?
- We engage in worship.
- We seek God in prayer.
- We grow in discipleship.
- We study God’s word.
- We love others through service.
- We live on mission.
- We give with generosity.
Are you presently satisfied with the depth of your spiritual life or are you willing to make a commitment today to go deeper?
Do you need to begin a relationship with God by surrendering your live to the Lord Jesus?