NEWS Filled With the Spirit
It is possible to know all about doctrine and yet not know Jesus. The soul is in danger when knowledge of doctrine outsteps intimate touch with Jesus... Any Pharisee could have made a fool of Mary doctrinally, but one thing they could not ridicule out of her was the fact that Jesus had cast seven demons out of her; yet His blessings were nothing in comparison to Himself... Have I a personal history with Jesus Christ? The one sign of discipleship is intimate connection with Him, a knowledge of Jesus Christ which nothing can shake.
- Oswald Chambers
I came across the above quote today and thought I would share it with readers. Mr. Chambers makes a very important point - one that is not well appreciated. I would ask readers to meditate on what he is saying. The truth is, you can memorize every single word of the Bible or go to Bible study every single day of your life and still not know Jesus nor have an intimate relationship wtih Him. Many people attend Seminary, study the Scriptures intensely, and even become theologians. But, sadly, despite their great efforts, they have not seen Christ nor do they know Him or have a relationship with Him. To be sure, they know a great many things about the Lord. But they do not know Him. You may know some of these people. Christianity is littered with them.
It is the Spirit that links us with Christ - not how much doctrine we possess or whether we have a Ph.D in Bible studies. Once filled with the Spirit, we can understand the Scriptures. When you read The Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, you see clearly that it wasn't until the disciples received the Spirit that they were able to know the true meaning of the Scriptures. The Scriptures came to life after they received the Spirit!
The Spirit reveals the meaning of the Scriptures. He is the teacher. Without the Spirit, it is impossible to understand the Scriptures. Likewise, without the Spirit, it is impossible to have an intimate relationship with Christ.
How do we connect with the Spirit? This is a question I've been pondering for a long time. What I've discovered is that for many people, it comes through being broken. I was broken back in December of 2002. I didn't fully appreciate how brokenness led to my revelation, but I have no doubt that brokenness played a key role in my spiritual awakening.
A few years ago, I came across a book by Watchmen Nee titled, "Release of the Spirit," that discusses how brokenness can lead to the release of the Spirit. I am fond of giving this book out to people who long for an intimate relationship with the Lord. Nee does a wonderful job explaining how brokenness creates spiritual beings.
The Lord was clear about those who would know Him intimately. He said:
"I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
Brokenness can lead to spiritual rebirth - a process whereby we become new creations, where we become connected with Christ. When this happens, we can have an intimate relationship with the Lord. And there is nothing more beautiful in the universe. Being one with Love - One with a love that never fails (1 Cor. 13: 8).
Interestingly and sadly, many people refuse to be broken. No matter how dark their lives become, they just won't go down! They become very angry, or their hearts become filled with shame and guilt. There is no shame or guilt in Christ. And we know that Love is not easily angered (1 Cor. 13:5).
May you be broken and filled with the Spirit.
Agape,
Steve
- Oswald Chambers
I came across the above quote today and thought I would share it with readers. Mr. Chambers makes a very important point - one that is not well appreciated. I would ask readers to meditate on what he is saying. The truth is, you can memorize every single word of the Bible or go to Bible study every single day of your life and still not know Jesus nor have an intimate relationship wtih Him. Many people attend Seminary, study the Scriptures intensely, and even become theologians. But, sadly, despite their great efforts, they have not seen Christ nor do they know Him or have a relationship with Him. To be sure, they know a great many things about the Lord. But they do not know Him. You may know some of these people. Christianity is littered with them.
It is the Spirit that links us with Christ - not how much doctrine we possess or whether we have a Ph.D in Bible studies. Once filled with the Spirit, we can understand the Scriptures. When you read The Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, you see clearly that it wasn't until the disciples received the Spirit that they were able to know the true meaning of the Scriptures. The Scriptures came to life after they received the Spirit!
The Spirit reveals the meaning of the Scriptures. He is the teacher. Without the Spirit, it is impossible to understand the Scriptures. Likewise, without the Spirit, it is impossible to have an intimate relationship with Christ.
How do we connect with the Spirit? This is a question I've been pondering for a long time. What I've discovered is that for many people, it comes through being broken. I was broken back in December of 2002. I didn't fully appreciate how brokenness led to my revelation, but I have no doubt that brokenness played a key role in my spiritual awakening.
A few years ago, I came across a book by Watchmen Nee titled, "Release of the Spirit," that discusses how brokenness can lead to the release of the Spirit. I am fond of giving this book out to people who long for an intimate relationship with the Lord. Nee does a wonderful job explaining how brokenness creates spiritual beings.
The Lord was clear about those who would know Him intimately. He said:
"I assure you: Unless someone is born again, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." (John 3:3)
Brokenness can lead to spiritual rebirth - a process whereby we become new creations, where we become connected with Christ. When this happens, we can have an intimate relationship with the Lord. And there is nothing more beautiful in the universe. Being one with Love - One with a love that never fails (1 Cor. 13: 8).
Interestingly and sadly, many people refuse to be broken. No matter how dark their lives become, they just won't go down! They become very angry, or their hearts become filled with shame and guilt. There is no shame or guilt in Christ. And we know that Love is not easily angered (1 Cor. 13:5).
May you be broken and filled with the Spirit.
Agape,
Steve
posted by Steve at
3:04 PM
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