“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”~ Romans 8:14

When Christ died on the cross of Calvary, it wasn’t just to redeem us from our sins but to restore the relationship and access to God that humanity lost in the Garden of Eden. After Adam’s fall, humanity didn’t suffer a physical death but a spiritual one. However, after Jesus’ death, one of the things He did was to give us life again spiritually, making it possible for us to be called the children of God through Christ Jesus.

In terms of our relationship with God, it is established that those who give their lives to Christ—confessing with their mouths and believing in their hearts in His death, burial, and resurrection—are called the sons of God. As stated in John 1:12, “Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”

So, it is safe to say that as believers, our relationship with God is clearly defined: we are His children—His sons and daughters. However, a relationship does not automatically equate to fellowship.

For example, everyone alive today is the result of a man and a woman coming together to produce life. Biologically, we all have fathers and mothers—there is no disputing the relationship between us and our biological parents because we are the product of their union. But simply having a relationship as their child does not mean we have fellowship with them.

So, what does it mean to fellowship? In simple terms, fellowship involves a connection, active communication, and interaction with a person or group of people. This is why you can have a relationship with someone and still not truly know them, because there is no fellowship present.

With that in mind, we return to the title of today’s devotional: “Fellowship or Relationship: Which Do You Have?”

Many Christians today have a relationship with God as their Father, and themselves as His children, but they do not have fellowship with God—whether as the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit, which is the focus of this devotional.

The Holy Spirit was given to us as a gift, not to be treated like a genie who grants our wishes, but to fellowship with us as a Comforter, Helper, and, most importantly, as a Friend.

The goal is to know Him—not through others, but for yourself.

Prayer point: Lord teach me to fellowship with You.