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Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil
Hebrews 6:19 (KJV)
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John 14:9 ....."Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me..."
Every single question that Jesus directed toward men in His earthly ministry contained at least three inherent qualities.
First, each one was intended to foster the apprehension of spiritual truth in the recipients.
Secondly, they were always penetrating and thought provoking in nature, challenging the hearer to reason his or her way to the proper conclusion and, as a result, undertake an appropriate course of action.
Thirdly, none of them were asked for the purpose of acquiring information.
A prime example is found in Luke 6:46 as Jesus was addressing His newly-appointed apostles, a group of disciples from whom He had chosen the Twelve, and a great multitude of people who had sought Him out for both teaching and healing (6:17-19). He asked, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
The spiritual truth to be apprehended was the inconsistency of saying one thing and doing another, giving lip service to His authority while disregarding His directives.
Such alignment of lips and life is the very essence of hypocrisy.
If someone on the receiving end of the question thus reasons that he or she is playing the hypocrite, then the challenge is to undertake a life of obedience that reflects a genuine recognition of His Lordship and brings the lips and life into agreement.
A less well-known but equally powerful question was directed toward the apostle Philip on crucifixion eve. Jesus said to him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?" (John 14:9). The context has Jesus engaged with the apostles (minus Judas Iscariot) in perhaps the most intensive and comprehensive teaching interlude of His ministry. Simon Peter and Thomas had raised a few questions and doubts respectively about where Jesus was going and the way to get there. Jesus in turn affirmed that He was the way to the Father, and that knowing Him was in essence knowing the Father. At that point, Philip interjected saying, "Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us" (14:8).
The statement implied that Philip was not satisfied with Jesus alone.
The question posed by Jesus to one of His servants lends itself to our encouragement as well as our instruction.
First, notice that when responding to both Peter (13:36-38) and Thomas (14:7-8), the Lord did not employ a personal address. But He addressed Philip by name, in part to signify the personal attention He was giving to the issue raised by Philip, and in part as an expression of His tenderness and concern for one in whom He had invested so much.
Secondly, the knowledge vacuum of which Jesus spoke was relative rather than absolute. In other words, Philip knew the Lord Jesus in terms of a saving relationship, but his spiritual perception of Christ had not advanced to the maximum extent warranted by three years of exposure and interaction.
Thirdly, since the phrase "so long time" equates to a three-year period for Philip, why not assume for present-day purposes that three year-old converts who still exhibit spiritual dullness, and lack steadfastness, have suffered in their spiritual advancement?
Lastly, we may conclude that knowing Jesus to fullest extent possible in this life is the most noble and rewarding pursuit than can be undertaken by a sinner saved by grace!
I wonder whether that penetrating question directed by Jesus toward Philip in those precious hours before His arrest and trial might have some thought-provoking relevance for you and me at this hour.
How long has Jesus been with us?
Has it been three days, three months, three years, or three decades?
To what extent have we advanced in our experiential knowledge of Him?
Can we hear the Lord Jesus addressing us by name in our heart of hearts, admonishing us that for so long time we have come to apprehend so little about His magnificent Person and His matchless grace?
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Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8 (NKJV)
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Ephesians 6:12-13
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By Tom Smith, Wooddale Church of Christ
2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever.
If we say we have grown in our love for our mate, what are we truly saying?
When we grow in love we usually grow to be more like the person we love. When we get to know the person we eventually marry we spend time with them. People don't just meet someone and instantly say, "Let's go get married". When a couple becomes engaged to be married, usually there is a deep commitment to communication. The agenda is to get to know each other even more and frankly during the engagement the desire to spend time together is generally quite intense.
When we date during the engagement period and at other times, often couples sit across from each other. While looking at someone's face we can see the body language of the person. It also shows commitment on our part.
But what does it mean to grow in Grace and Knowledge of our Lord?
We can probably understand what it means to grow in knowledge but growing in Grace?
Grace is defined as: Favor Kindness Friendship (Gen 6:8; 18:3; 19: 19; 2Tim 1:9 ); God's forgiving mercy (Rom.11:6; Eph 2:5) The Gospel as distinguished from the Law (John 1:17; Rom 6: 14; I Peter 5: 12); Christian virtue (II Corinthians 8:7; II Peter 8:7; 3:18).
We are to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Eph.4:22-24). Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; (1 Peter 1:13).
We are to become more like Christ.
To do this we have to know Christ.
To know Him we have to spend time with Him.
When we spend time with the Lord in prayer we are spending quality time with Him and we are seeking that face to face relationship.
When we spend time in His word, the bible, we are digging to learn more about Him and seeking to get to know him.
When we meditate on Him and what we have learned about Him we are visualizing mentally and forming the reality in our heart and mind of our relationship with Him.
As we pray, study and mediate on what we have read we grow in our grace and knowledge of Him. We are changed by truth and if adversity or temptation has brought us to our knees or to the word then we can say we are transformed by truth, and the renewing of our minds (Rom.12:2).
As we become more like HIM we will show forth more of His love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, balance, and self-control.
HE is the source.
He is our strength and our hope.
Growing in Grace and Knowledge come as a team.
The more we learn about HIM the more like HIM we will become.
When we put on Jesus Christ in baptism (Gal. 3:27) we begin an awesome journey to grow in ways we've never known before.
To become more like Him.
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I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener.- John 15:1 (NLT)
Don't we all occasionally feel like we've just had a good pruning? As a gardener, our heavenly Father will mold and shape us to be a beautiful masterpiece. At times it hurts. In the end we are fruitful because of His skillful hands. Stay open to the work God is doing in your life.
In which area of your life would you like to be fruitful?
Invite the gardener in.
* taken from daily devotions @ jctrois.com
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taken from Wooddale Church of Christ
As I was saying yesterday, One of the major complaints of non-believers is that Christians are hypocrites. Those who don't even know the great stories of the Bible, can tell you in great detail the stories of Jim Bakker, Jimmy Swaggart, and the preacher down the street who ran off with his secretary. It is one of the most common objections of an unbeliever, that he would be a Christian
The key point to understand is that you must keep focused on THE man, and not A man.
Christ was the only one who did it perfect.
My personal philosophy is to take the spiritual wisdom from other men of God, but never idolize them, never expect them to be more than the man of flesh and blood they are, but realize that God has touched them and given them something that can benefit my spiritual life.
I have always called it my spiritual filter.
I have had a unique opportunity to see an incredible number of God's choicest servants of our day. The list is a who's who of spiritual giants. However, no matter who the person was, I always do two things. I always line up what they said with the Word of God. That is test number one. I don't care who it is. If it is not in line with the Word of God, it is not something I want. Second, I always look at the man of God as an instrument God was using. I never expected them to be supernatural, or anything other than a vessel God was using to bring spiritual truths into my life.
The only person I ever idolized, or tried to pattern my life after was the life of Christ.
I have always taken what I can form men of God, and tried to use that to help me in my quest to be more like Christ each and every day.
Today's word is an important reminder to never get so focused on a man of flesh and blood, that you let it get in the way of your walk with Christ.
God has placed men of God in our lives to help teach us, show us the truths of His Word. However, no matter how close to the Lord they may be, the only one we should ever try to pattern our lives after is Jesus Christ, because He is the only one who lived this life without sin. He is our example and the one each one of us should strive to be like.
Take time today to pray for those God has placed in spiritual leadership over you.
Pray for those that God brings into your life to share the truths of His Word and to help you grow spiritually.
But never lose sight that they are mere mortals.
Men of flesh and blood like you.
Never let your eyes focus so much on a man, that you lose sight of THE man.
After all, no man could die for your sins.
It was THE man who loved you so much, that He willingly bled and died so that you might have everlasting life.
Keep your eyes focused on HIM.
Devotional,
Focus,
Jesus Christ,
Life
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I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13 (HCSB)
*taken from, But God... Inspirations for the Soul available now on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Kindle!
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