Christ – Known?

~ Quick Checkup:  How Well Do You Know Christ? ~

The Scripture  ~  “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip?  He who has seen me has seen the Father.  How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’” (John 14:9).

The Situation  ~  Jesus is speaking to one of His own disciples, Philip, who had been with him for about three years.  Philip had witnessed His power and His miracles.  Think about that!  Is it possible to be physically with the Master for that long and not know the person?  Jesus certainly implies that Philip does not know Him. 

The Staleness  ~  What does knowing Christ our Savior mean?  It is obvious from this passage that it is more than being an acquaintance, more than being with Him, and certainly more than a casual relationship or friendship. 

I don’t think Philip lacked knowledge.  He certainly knew that facts regarding His birth, His early life, His teaching, and His call to follow Him.  What Philip apparently lacked was intimacy with His Savior.  How about you? 

Jesus Christ never shows partiality or favoritism to His followers (Job 34:19; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 3:25).  But Jesus does allow His followers to become intimate with Him (Job 29:4 niv) but it must be by choice of His individual disciples—He will not force intimacy upon anyone.

The Steps to Intimacy  ~  First and foremost get into the Word of God regularly.  If you do this with a sincere heart on a regular and frequent basis it will revitalize your prayer life.  This will in turn cause confession and repentance for known sin in our life.  A correct on-going prayer life will produce intimacy with your Savior. 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fact Check, 11

~ Unable ~

Your Thinking  ~  I can’t manage it. 

God’s Answer  ~  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:2-4). 

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Fear God, 77

~ Those Who Fear God Are Taught by God ~

God does not want His children living in fear.  “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:2-3).  However, God does want His children to have a proper respect and reverence for Him.  We are told in many places in Scripture to “fear God.”  

This Week’s Passage  ~  “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.  Who is the man who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good?  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.  Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:11-14).

Comment  ~  Jesus Christ said, “The Holy Spirit will teach you” (Luke 12:12a) and “The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26-27).

Fearing God Results in Salvation  ~  “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).  “A wise person fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16).  This does not mean the Christian is to live a fearful life—but a life which reverences God and seeks to do His will. 

Fearing God Results in Fearlessness  ~  “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).  The answer is: only God.  With the gift of salvation comes responsibility.

Fearing God Results in Witnessing  ~  “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul” (Psalm 66:16). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .