Buenos Dias from San Lorenzo, Ecuador! Taking a moment to add to Civic’s (AKA “Pops”) evidentiary list of Jesus’ inner circle being set apart:
1. These three witnessed Jesus transformed, saw Moses and Elijah appearing with him, and heard God’s voice declaring Jesus as His beloved Son (Matt 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–8)
2. All three of Jesus’ inner circle were fishermen, first disciples, and uniquely told that they would become “fishers of men,” signifying a call to discipleship. (Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17)
Pattern that only the inner circle was privy to intimate details, vulnerability and blessings.
Jesus chose his disciples preceded by extensive prayer, with Luke mentioning that he spent an entire night in prayer to God before choosing them (Luke 6:12–16).
Pattern to prayerfully seek both your circle and inner circle.
We also see an Old Testament pattern in Moses’ leadership (i.e. his brother Aaron, his sister Miriam, Joshua his successor, & 70 elders).
J. Oswald Sanders article in the C.S. Lewis Institute suggests “four circles of intimacy” derive from the story of Moses and the nation of Israel:
1. Outer Circle - The general population with strict barriers
- “And you shall set limits for the people” (Exodus 19:11-12)
- They saw God’s presence from a distance, more fear than fellowship
2. 2nd Circle - The Elders had a more intimate vision than general public (vv. 24:9-11)
3. 3rd Circle - Joshua accompanied further up mountain than elders (vv. 24:13-14)
4. Inner Circle - Moses Alone “face to face” communion for extended time (vv. 24:15-17)
Sanders suggests we are "as close to God as we really choose to be," and our primary barrier to the inner circle is our willingness—or lack thereof—to pay the price of total devotion and desire for Him.
Article Link:
https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/four-circles-of-intimacy-with-god/#:~:text=Everything in our Christian life,man speaks with his friend.
My questions and thoughts regarding our own inner circles:
Does an inner circle infer favoritism or create division amongst the body?
I believe it shouldn’t. We have biblical warnings regarding discretion, and that prudence and wisdom are inseparable.
- Proverbs 8:12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion.”
- Proverbs 12:23 “A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a fool’s heart proclaims folly.”
- Proverbs 13:16 “All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.”
Second, the Bible teaches that the depth of our intimacy should be proportionate to the proven character of your circle.
- Proverbs 12:26 “The righteous choose their friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
- Proverbs 13:20 “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
- Proverbs 25:9-10 “Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret, lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.”
Trust is earned by a consistent display of love, holiness, and fruit. This is why there are biblical qualifications for leadership. Further, Jesus reminded that, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Hence, if we’re called to be prudent in our relationships and warned about oversharing with potential wolves, should we thoroughly vet our inner circles? We are called to love one another, not to give unearned access to our hearts to trample.
How do you vet your inner circle?
As for me, I’m checking for fruit. Do they demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit? Consistently model a discerning and spiritual character? I’m looking for FAT people! (Faithful, Available, & Trustworthy)
Closing Thoughts: The Sanctifying Anvil
We are arguably living in the most polarized time the world has ever known. When coupled with the feeling of being misled by news, social media, government, AI, and past relationships, many wonder:
who can you trust?
Is committing to an inner circle even worth the risk? Undoubtedly, unequivocally,
YES!
I recognize that I have not been, am not, and will not be the perfect brother-in-Christ to my inner circle. If I am "canceled" or "cancel" them, where else (outside my home) can I practice this sanctifying walk? I must have co-laborers to intimately share my life with—individuals who can speak to me with truth in love, forgive me, extend mercy and grace, encourage me when downtrodden, and spur me on to finish the race by their presence, performance, and prayers. Furthermore,
I must be the same for them, as iron truly sharpens iron. We were NEVER meant to do this life alone.
God gave us His Son, His Holy Spirit, and His global Church. I thank God for the international communion of saints. Leaving the US to answer a call in San Lorenzo, Ecuador, meant literally cleaving from a deep bench of faithful, devout brothers-in-Christ who had my permission to speak into my life. That season is over now, separated by thousands of miles. My family and I are now answering the call to be that very community to a small fishing village in Ecuador. It is isolating, lonely at times, frustrating, yet, ever so rewarding at the same time.
I lament and long for the deep fellowship experienced in my inner circle. My prayer, in this season of its absence, is to grow into that "inner circle worthy" candidate for others—that they experience the precious gift of mutually holding one anothers heart with Christ at the center.
Let us be grateful to our brothers and sisters. Let us continue to be prudent while avoiding the sin of self-preservation. Though the imperfections of inner circles can, at times, be a sanctifying anvil, they are worth it because God conforms us to the heart and mind of His Son through them.
We love and miss you Pops!
Romans 12:1-2
I leave you with a quote from one of my mentors, Pastor Darrell Cummings:
“Heaven will be long enough to make up for earth’s disappointments!”
