Knowing God

Many believe that Christianity is centered around doing good deeds, but be assured that it is much more than that! Good deeds are not what it is all about; they are only a byproduct of what it is all about – a genuine relationship with our loving, eternal, heavenly Father. A religiously minded Christian is more concerned about what they do as a Christian than knowing, or being intimate with, the God of Christianity. The Prophet Zachariah said, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” Zechariah 4:6 

Apostle Paul (previously called Saul) was famous for his passion and religious zeal. His life was fully betrothed to imprisoning and even killing those who were followers of Jesus and those who belonged to “The Way.” In his religious zeal, he passionately did what he thought was right, but sadly, Saul did not know (was not intimate with) the God he thought he was serving and therefore passionately pursued what was against the God he thought he was serving. Later on, by the grace of God, he had an encounter with Jesus, and his life was forever changed! His great works and outstanding accomplishments of the past became worthless to him compared to this thing called knowing Christ. Listen to his words…

Philippians 3:8-10 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ–the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

The word “know” used in this Scripture isn’t merely describing an intellectual knowledge but speaks of intimacy with Christ. In fact, the word he used was a Jewish idiom for sexual intercourse. In effect, apostle Paul was saying that more than anything in all of the world, he wanted to be intimate with Christ, and nothing in this world could compare!

We never want to underestimate the importance of doing good deeds, but without knowing God, all of our efforts are fruitless! Many Christians, in their misguided zeal, are fighting against God. They pursue religious dogmas and works instead of intimacy with God. The result of this kind of lifestyle is death and bondage to condemnation and fear.

Think about it, those who claim Christianity often pray and read the Bible so that they can check off another good deed rather than enter into a place of oneness with God. You can be assured that a life filled with God’s power and purpose is a byproduct of knowing God!

My dearest friend, my heart’s cry and prayer for you today is that you would know (be intimate with) Christ and therefore be empowered to do what Christ does! When you are intimate with God, the Holy Spirit leads and guides you into all truth! (Jn 16:13)

God has wonderful plans for you, and intimacy with him through his Holy Spirit will be the avenue for him to not only reveal those plans to you but empower you to do them. May this Encouraging Note inspire you to leave all self-righteous, religious works behind and replace them with the purpose-filled life that comes from…

KNOWING GOD