Michael The Disciple
09-30-2011, 01:01 AM
He tells us how to have his presence with us! Nothing is more exciting than to have Jesus as our companion.
14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21
Jesus said if we keep his commands he will love us and MANIFEST himself to us! If he has ever manifested himself to you, you know what it means. He makes himself KNOWN to you. It leaves you thinking in wonder, HE KNOWS ME!
Personal revelations of Jesus is what makes the Christian life enjoyable. Its what makes one able to endure temptation and the trials of life.
In what way might he MANIFEST himself to us?
Christians have testified to answered prayers. Dreams or visions that come to pass. Experiences of being led by the Spirit. Obviously the Spirit has various ways of allowing us to EXPERIENCE him.
This is how Jesus shows his love to us in ways we can understand. We also might call this "grace" or his "favor" toward us.
Paul confirms this as the way to have the personal favor of God:
4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Phil. 4:9
He taught the disciples if they would diligently and carefully do the things he had taught them by word and example God would be with them.
So if we want to have ADVENTURES with Jesus there is a way to see it happen.
We are again taught by the Apostle:
13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11
The Spirit speaks expressly how we can have encounters with God. If we do those things we have been taught we can expect the nearness of God.
The devil has largely deceived believers in this hour that to be zealous toward Jesus commands is "legalistic".
Yet Jesus and the Apostles taught the opposite was true. Jesus said his commandments should begin to be taught right from the start of our walk!
Obedience is only legalistic if it is directed at keeping some other form of righteousness other than the teachings of Messiah (such as Moses law) or if attempted merely in ones own will power absent from the Holy Spirit working in the life.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:19-20
Two things often overlooked in verse 20.
Training in Jesus commandments starts immediately! Todays thinking is like "Wait till they get a personal relationship before teaching commands".
Yet the scriptures teach without OBEDIENCE to his commands we have no assurance he will even be with us!
If indeed we seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we must notice the connection in Jesus saying to observe his commands comes BEFORE the part about him being with us ALWAYS even to the end of the world.
If you desire adventures with Jesus Christ he says you can have them. But we must seek him IN HIS WAY not the way of the flesh.
14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21
Jesus said if we keep his commands he will love us and MANIFEST himself to us! If he has ever manifested himself to you, you know what it means. He makes himself KNOWN to you. It leaves you thinking in wonder, HE KNOWS ME!
Personal revelations of Jesus is what makes the Christian life enjoyable. Its what makes one able to endure temptation and the trials of life.
In what way might he MANIFEST himself to us?
Christians have testified to answered prayers. Dreams or visions that come to pass. Experiences of being led by the Spirit. Obviously the Spirit has various ways of allowing us to EXPERIENCE him.
This is how Jesus shows his love to us in ways we can understand. We also might call this "grace" or his "favor" toward us.
Paul confirms this as the way to have the personal favor of God:
4:9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Phil. 4:9
He taught the disciples if they would diligently and carefully do the things he had taught them by word and example God would be with them.
So if we want to have ADVENTURES with Jesus there is a way to see it happen.
We are again taught by the Apostle:
13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. 2 Cor. 13:11
The Spirit speaks expressly how we can have encounters with God. If we do those things we have been taught we can expect the nearness of God.
The devil has largely deceived believers in this hour that to be zealous toward Jesus commands is "legalistic".
Yet Jesus and the Apostles taught the opposite was true. Jesus said his commandments should begin to be taught right from the start of our walk!
Obedience is only legalistic if it is directed at keeping some other form of righteousness other than the teachings of Messiah (such as Moses law) or if attempted merely in ones own will power absent from the Holy Spirit working in the life.
28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt. 28:19-20
Two things often overlooked in verse 20.
Training in Jesus commandments starts immediately! Todays thinking is like "Wait till they get a personal relationship before teaching commands".
Yet the scriptures teach without OBEDIENCE to his commands we have no assurance he will even be with us!
If indeed we seek a personal relationship with Jesus Christ we must notice the connection in Jesus saying to observe his commands comes BEFORE the part about him being with us ALWAYS even to the end of the world.
If you desire adventures with Jesus Christ he says you can have them. But we must seek him IN HIS WAY not the way of the flesh.