|
Knowing Our God Given Purpose; No Ordinary Knowledge
by Dale Linton Knowledge that is derived from truth that feeds our spirit; which is our source of life, is referred to as "the bread of life". John 6:47, 48 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Our tendency, as Christians, is to feel as if we already have a "full knowledge" of truth, when the reality is that we may have only experienced truth in an "introductory phase" of God given knowledge. This is exemplified extremely well in the story of Nicodemus. The Deception Lurking In The Phrase "I Know." John 3:2,3 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus tells Jesus that He is a teacher from God and that God is with Him. By stating, I know who you are, where your from and why you can do these things, Nicodemus is claiming this, I know where you came from, where you are, and where your going; I know you. Jesus replies by letting Nicodemus know he doesn't know what He thinks he does: John 3:10 "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things"? How Much Are We Willing To Give? Nicodemus is being challenged by Jesus to know what he didn't know, but thought he did.There is a deeper truth to be seen from the question in verse 10, that will most definitely challenge us. When we choose to be the master of our lives, we cannot conform to the winning formula that gives us life, and the knowledge of God. What is that formula? It's this: "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free". Notice that the first part of this formula has the knowledge of the truth. Knowing the truth is God inspired and is a miracle in its development. Having spiritual knowledge and God given insight is an awe inspiring thing for which our inclination is to say, I know it now Lord, put me in the game! However, the formula suggests a metamorphous requiring and challenging us to give of ourselves. The words "truth shall make" requires an adaptation from a role where Gods truth was more of a receiving connection, to an affiliation of "being made", which may feel like we're receiving very little. This altering often feels like leaving what felt like being a master, to being a servant. The reality is that Jesus is graduating us from knowledge, to the application of that knowledge, which requires we draw on more of Gods truths and less on self. In this process its important to note that our relationship with the Lord is strengthening through the truth strengthening us. Gods truth doesn't always line up with our reasoning, so to receive the freedom in truth we must exercise self denial and a "make over " we can trust. The outcome, both here and in heaven, are crowns of life containing blessings we wouldn't have thought to ask for; and an abundance of true knowledge! To Know Truth; Truth Must Know You Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Being "known of God" has in His character and design, a transfer of supernatural knowledge through a relationship with His Son. This supernatural knowledge begins in an awareness of entering a relationship and knowing someone who we previously did not. Being "of the truth" is a good expression of this awareness, meaning we have relationally entered into Gods family. Saying we are "of" Gods family is to say we are of the truth. A relationship with Jesus, containing the gifts of His love, has only one requirement to accept His proposal; we must see ourselves as needing Jesus to be willing to accept Him. The Christian journey needs to be a continuing of a willingness to accept Him by being willing to hand over our will, and receiving His will. The more we are persuaded do this within the relationship with Jesus, the more we are known of God. Being known of God generates a supernatural knowledge, which is the knowledge of His truth that increasingly enlightens us into His spiritual guidance and a knowledge of our purpose in Him. To know our God given purpose in life, our purpose must be allowed to know us. I have a desire to see the body of Christ edified. Within the broad spectrum of edification I feel there exists a great need and opportunity for spiritual education at foundational levels. Please contact me about speaking at your church. Dale Linton 410-378-5035 or [email protected] Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |