It's way to easy to live a "glazed over" Christianity. It's a "saved & satisfied" existence. We become content with the truth that we already know, the truth that we have always heard, and think that there is really nothing new to experience or learn. If that is the case, then we don't leave any room for revelation. We don't leave any room for God to move into our lives in a fresh way. We may be saved, but I assure you that we are not satisfied.
Your life was made for encounters. The church of the New Testament had just come in contact with the TRUTH of all truths (Jesus). The letters contained within the pages of the Bible was their Spirit driven attempt to unpackage all that they had seen & heard. I, for one, am grateful for Paul because of all that the Lord gave Him through revelation. The message of grace that he carried was different from the other Apostles. He makes this known in his letters. While He could have easily picked up the message & carried it like Peter, John, or James; he chose to go away and hear from the Lord. Is it any wonder why he wrote the majority of what we call the New Testament? His letters are a constant unveiling of what Jesus taught Him concerning the unsearchable riches of the mystery that had been hidden since the foundation of the world. That is why his letters are so full of life.
Should we be any different? Should we not seek out those things in Christ that bring life? I have watched people in this journey have moments where they seem to be waking up to the truth that is within them. Then something happens. They allow the cares of this world to take hold of them (opinions of others, not knowing their identity in Christ, etc) and they walk away from the truth that can set them free. Here's a case in point: There was a book that came out several years ago that caught the church by storm. People were blown away (in a good way) by the portrayal of God in the book. They experienced love, mercy, & grace like never before. This book was used by God to help so many people forgive, release bitterness they had held on to for years, and encounter God in a fresh new way. Not long after the book gained popularity, all the naysayers appeared. Men & Women who held to certain theological views that was different from the author. They trashed his work. Armed with Bible verses they did their best to make sure people didn't get swept away with this "false teaching." What they didn't account for was that this man was used by the Holy Spirit to illuminate truth within the people. They began to ask questions like "Is God really like this?" Motivated by the life that began welling up within them, they sought out the truth and began to come alive. The Bible works the same way. Drawn to certain passages of Scripture, the Holy Spirit illuminates the truth within you, and you begin to come alive in a particular area. That is why you can read verses over and over again until one day, BAM!!!, the light comes on.
I share all of this as an encouragement. You have a truth register within you. You may not know all the Bible verses. You may be trying to view God & faith through a particular theological lens. But the Holy Spirit is committed to sharing life with you. He will bring all those things that pertain to life & godliness (God-likeness) to the surface. He's wanting you to come alive...FULLY ALIVE. The moment you realize that He is committed to conforming you into the image of Jesus, the greater your willingness to trust His work in you. He is the Gift of God to the church. The Gift that will Guide you into all truth and call to remembrance all that you were created to become.
May today begin an awakening within you.
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