Greetings again my Brethren. Man is often a fickle creation of God. One day we are “on fire for God.” Now I really do not understand that term too well, unless we are talking about being consumed by God’s consuming fire, “For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29) not too many Christians like standing that close to God they may get consumed. And then maybe the next day we are as cold as death eight days postmortem. Yet in spite of ourselves we find God still loves us and wants to have a relationship with us. What a wonderful privilege we have to have a relationship with the creator of the universe and the giver and taker of all life. I do not know about you my friend, but this excites my spirit and soul to know God wants to have a relationship with me. I hope I never get over this point. And I wondered why would God want to have a relationship with me, but then I discovered (we discover things in God not find them out) God wants to live in me, I am to be His eternal place of habitation not heaven, but our heart is to be God’s eternal place of abode. Paul tells us, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:20-22)
Through the Spirit and through relationship we are to be God’s place of habitation for all times. It is no wonder God wants our heart to be holy. Who among us enjoys living in a dirty house? Well God does not want to abide in a dirty temple He wants a temple that has been purified by His consuming fire. There are many privileges (as I said) we enjoy with our relationship with God. Let us look at some of the important one. The first privilege is God permits a love and intimacy that touches our heart. In 2 Samuel we find how the LORD loved Solomon, “And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.” (2 Samuel 12:24) and in 1 Kings we find where Solomon responded to God’s love, “And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.” (1 Kings 3:3) This is what God is looking for is us to love Him back as He loves us. Now we often think Solomon was born into an ungodly family with David’s affair with Bathsheba, but that was not the testimony of God. It is funny how we see things one way and God sees (looking at the same thing) things totally opposite. We must take care not to be fast to see things from our perspective. God reveals His ways and shares His secrets with us. In the Psalms we read, “The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed. 7He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.” (Psalms 103:6-7) God makes known His ways to all who care about His ways others are on their own. As He shares His secrets with those who think His secrets are worth the time and value of learning them. “And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do; and 19For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.” (Genesis 18:17,19) What was the value of learning God’s secrets? His life and the lives of millions of people. Lastly God (Himself) reveals Himself to us as he speaks directly to us, “With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:8) and I really like this point God appreciates our affection, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. 15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. 16With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.” (Psalms 91:14-16) Did you hear verse 14, “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.” What a relationship God wants to have with man, what a privilege and honor. What more do we need to say and do? Just submit to Him and He will take it from there.
Next month we will conclude this teaching on the knowledge of God as we look at God’s reaction to our relationship with Him.
