Seek Your Own Revelation

We can't live off of someone else's faith. That is the weakness of the Church, we either put too much emphasis on the corporate experience or not enough. We must always keep in mind that we are an individual unit within the context of the whole. As individuals we are responsible for our own spiritual health and fervor. We cannot exist within the whole unless we have our own relationship with the Head. We all need to know and have experienced Jesus for ourselves, not live off the pastor's experience, or Joe's or our parents.

There is an incident in Scripture where Jesus had an encounter with a woman at a well. In this conversation Jesus revealed the woman's sin and offered her salvation. The fact that he had knowledge of her situation gave him legitimacy in her eyes and she marveled at him. Then she did what comes natural to anyone who first encounters Jesus, she ran and told everyone she knew about him. Then the whole town came out to see what she was talking about. Evangelism 101.

Now let's look at what the Scripture says:

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” (John 4:39)

That's always encouraging when people believe because of your testimony. But some of these people did not leave it there. They wanted more:

So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word. (John 4:40-41)

Even better, they have encountered Jesus and received the Good News he preached. That is where we want to get people, believing because of their relationship with Jesus not just because of our testimony. Our testimony is great but it only opens the door to a wonderful relationship with Jesus. Look at what they said to the woman:

Then they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” (John 4:42)

Bingo! This is what we need everyone to experience, their own revelation of Jesus Christ. If people try to live off of my testimony they may last for a bit but eventually it will fade. They will be assailed on every side and eventually overcome because there was nothing to sustain or protect them. But when people encounter Jesus for themselves, they experience daily renewal in that relationship.

It is similar to the saying about teaching a man to fish as opposed to simply giving him a fish. We can simply give our testimony which is a good beginning place and satisfies the need short term, but when they encounter Jesus they have everything they need for all eternity. Let's encourage each other to go higher, deeper and wider with Jesus until we have attained the full measure. There is so much more that we have not even begun to understand about him, but one thing we know, "he loves us and gave himself for us".

Is Your Life By The Will Of God?

Imagine the confidence you would have if you knew for certain that the things you did were the will of God. Imagine the confidence you would have in life knowing that you were living the will of God. Called by God. Directed by God. Filled by God. The Apostle Paul often reminded the targets of his letters that he did what he did because Jesus willed it:

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God. (Ephesians 1:1)

We know it wasn't Paul's idea. His idea was to chase down everyone who called on Jesus' name and throw them in jail or have them killed. It seems he was willing to go to the ends of the earth to rid the world of these  foolish people. Instead it was God's will to send Paul to the ends of the earth to proclaim the name he was persecuting.

I don't know where or why we lost that sense of calling; that sense of God's will and purpose in our lives; that sense that we are compelled by the love of Jesus. There should be no doubt in our lives of God's calling and choosing.

Personally I think the problem is that most people have never sought the face of God or had an encounter with Jesus. A lot of people were simply raised in the Church and continue to walk in their parents' faith. They have no sense of calling or purpose, just an obligation to carry on the tradition. When I was a kid I heard a preacher say "God doesn't have any grandchildren". In other words spiritually you can not be an offspring of your parents or anyone else. Your faith and experience must be first hand.

Too many people adhere to growing into an awareness of Jesus. Maybe this is possible but the ones who I have met who are the most passionate and aware of God's calling are those who have encountered Jesus. There is that moment when you are suddenly aware of his presence, where you are overwhelmed by his holiness, your ugliness, his love and his forgiveness, all at the same time. It is an incredible moment. A moment that you will always look back on whenever your faith seems weak.

I often remember that moment, almost 30 years ago now, and I am strengthened in the remembering. I am strengthened because I am reminded that this life wasn't my idea. It was Jesus who chose me, I did not choose him. I was moving in the opposite direction. I was not seeking his face. I was happy in my rebellion and then Jesus met me. He chose me, called me, sent me, directed and guided me. This life was his choosing and because he chose it I know I can trust him in it.

It is an incredibly encouraging reminder that we operate, live, work, minister in the authority of Jesus Christ. It is an incredibly liberating reminder that everything we do is done for the glory of God. Our entire life is permeated by the purpose of God and we are simply his agents, his workers, his partners in ministry. We can all say that we are what we are by the will of God, but it is in the real knowing and experiencing this that will bring you much joy and encouragement.