Originally I had another subject I wanted to post. Spent about a week praying for the correct words to convey His message. Then, on Wednesday evening, during my late devotional time, He stepped in and switched it all up! Some of you can probably relate, He does this quite often when He uses us as vessels of His message.
As I meditated on the passage I read, John 4:42(NCV) took a deep hold on me. The text reads; "They said to the woman, 'First we believed in Jesus because of your speech, but now we believe because we heard Him ourselves. We know that this man really is the Savior of the world." I encourage all of you to read John 4, it always reminds me of the importance of being honest about our condition. Notice the Samaritan woman's honesty, take note that at this point in the narrative the true nature of Jesus is revealed to her. Not until she decided to be honest with Jesus, was she able to comprehend Him for who He truly is. Amen? If you are reading this, I assume you also want these types of revelations. With that said, let's get in to it....
God sent Jesus for many purposes, one in particular is so that we can experience a personal one-on-one relationship with Him. Not just a passing social relationship, but a deep and intimate one. God doesn't want to be some abstract, intangible, concept in your mind. He doesn't just want to be the God of your father, mother, auntie, uncle, or whoever else you know. No. He wants to be your God. That can only happen if you take the time out to act upon that which you've heard from others.
For years, countless people testified to me about the Lord and His goodness. I could quote scripture and engage in the deepest intellectual theological discussions without batting an eyelash. I'm sure I sounded good, may have even edified a few people. Yet, it was just head knowledge or a second-hand account of someone else's testimony. Believing who Jesus is because of another's belief will only make you come to Him. Y'know? Go to church, offer up a prayer once in a blue; things like that. Believing in Jesus because you've "heard Him for yourself" will leave you with no other option than to recognize Him as "the Savior of the world."
Another's belief makes you see Him as a "good teacher", "anointed prophet", "even a radical activist". Yet John 3:18 says that if you don't believe in Him as God's only begotten Son you are judged guilty. That is non-negotiable, can you dig it? That means in order to be justified you must have an intimate encounter with Him. Just like the men in the text I came because of what I'd heard. I didn't truly believe though, because I'd never taken the time to witness Him with my own eyes.
Which describes you? Have you come to see about Him because of what You've been told? Or have you taken the time to recognize His presence in your life personally? Be honest with yourself. In this season that we celebrate His birth, we should be sure our relationship with Him is genuine. Ask Him for the living water, witness the revelation He has for you....then tell the world why you believe.
Be Blessed Be Faithful