Wednesday, October 14, 2020

How much do you know of Jesus, personally know?

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8 NLT 

Spiritual knowledge of Christ will be a personal knowledge. I cannot know Jesus through another person’s acquaintance with Him. No, I must know Him myself, on my own account. It will be an intelligent knowledge. I must know Him, not as some kind of dream but as the Word reveals Him. I must know His two natures, both divine and human. I must know His duties, His attributes, His works, His shame, His glory. I must meditate on Him until I “comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:18–19 NKJV). It will be an affectionate knowledge of Jesus. Indeed, if I know Him at all, I must love Him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth a ton of head learning. Our knowledge of Him will be a satisfying knowledge. When I know my Savior, my mind will be full to the brim—I will feel that I possess what my spirit longed for. This is the bread takes away a person’s hunger forever. And it will be an exciting knowledge—the more I know of my Beloved, the more I will want to know. The higher I climb, the loftier will be the summit that invites my eager footsteps. I will want more as I get more; like a miser’s treasure, my gold will make me greedy for even more. To conclude, this knowledge of Christ Jesus will be a most happy one. It will be so elevating, in fact, that sometimes it will completely lift me above all trials and doubts and sorrows. While I enjoy it, it will make me more than just a “man who is born of a woman . . . few of days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1 ESV). It will cover me with the immortality of the ever-living Savior, and surround me with the golden sash of His eternal joy. Come, my soul—sit at Jesus’s feet and learn of Him all day. - C.H. Spurgeon Morning and Evening 

If indeed He is your Savior, how much time have you taken to get to know Jesus?

That is the question of the day.  Romans 12:2 was the www.biblegateway.com verse of the day.  "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

To renew is to repeatedly go back over, intentionally, with purpose.  This world is going to shout a great many things while you, as Christians, are on this race you are in.  As a song says that one of my favorite singers, Charlie Pride, sang "...this highway leads to glory, but it's no easy ride.  You'll find all kinds of exits, to throw you off your stride...some will lead to fortune others lead to fame. Some will lead you so far off, you won't return again..."

To sit, listen and learn from the Spirit is to shut out the world.  Is it no wonder, classrooms are supposed to be quiet, except for the teacher, and whomever is chosen to respond by that teacher?

We have seen marathons, have seen foot races, people on the sidelines shouting either encouragement or discouragement. 

Our world isn't a Godly place.  It's a sin cursed world.  Those in Christ ought to seek the things of God that are not found in this world.  It's found in prayer and in the Bible.  That's our classroom. 

The world has taught us all from the moment we were able to comprehend it, to look to it for relaxation.  Look to it for peace.  Both of which, as the Bible says it, are only found in Christ. 

So, should you, my believing friend, be looking to the world for peace and safety? Should you be looking to the world for understanding about your life in Christ?
Should you be looking at a watered down Gospel that, had YOU looked, you would have found that it had been compromised?
Paul outright said that if anyone taught a Gospel different than what he and the other Apostles had presented, to let them be accursed. That he wished they would even mutilate themselves.  

If you don't know what is in your Bible, if your relationship with Jesus is sketchy at best, how would you know what the Bible says on subjects such as homosexuality and the Church? How would you know what God says on the subject if you never asked Him? How would you know?

If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, how would you know about what the Bible says about Him if you aren't reading it?

How would you know what Jesus said on any subject if you weren't using the tools at your disposal to look it up?

Take a look at just how far the world has influenced you.  Do you wear the symbols of idolatry from this world? Do you spend hours, if not days, with things outside of work and family, but won't spend time with Jesus?  Will you willingly get fired up over politics, but have no zeal for the things of God?  Are you willing to watch a movie marathon but won't spend even 15 minutes in your Bible?  Are you believing things that aren't true, from a Biblical perspective?  When the Bible tells you something plainly of who will not inherit the kingdom of God, does it bother you at all that deep down you don't believe it? Many don't!  Look at liberal Churches that teach things contrary to what the Bible says on things such as homosexuality. Not that that is the only one, it's the most visible.  Women Pastors is another.  
Spending your own time with Jesus and in your Bible you would know that God says that homosexuals are among those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God. They will not see Heaven.  Spending your own time with Jesus and your Bible you would see what was taught concerning women Pastors.  That in the original language, that it is impossible to have women Pastors.  They are not to be in authority over men in the Church. 

There are others, but, my friend, they aren't meant to be burdensome. Nothing about a right relationship with Jesus is meant to be burdensome.  It's a life with Him. Not just a lifestyle.  The world teaches the concept of lifestyle. Jesus teaches of our need for a relationship with Him. 

How much of your life is spent with you and Jesus? 

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