Knowing God vs. knowing God's Word
Do you know the difference? Did you know there was a difference?
Yesterday a good friend and I were talking and he said, "When he speaks he always ask, 'What is Christianity to you ... is it just a "status symbol?" '
"A status symbol?" I replied
He then went on to share with me some of his experiences in counseling Christians.
Were you aware that some people practice "religion" Christianity... to look good?
At first this was hard for me to conceive. I knew it, but I'd dealt with the opposite. I was more aware of the Christian who yearned to live right, wanted to live right, but fell from time to time. Sincereity but flawed human being.
I wasn't ready, though Scripture talks about them, to believe that some people carry their Bibles around...talk the Christian lingo, and do what they do JUST and ONLY to look good.
"You know what that is I asked him?"
"The awe and the responds is the reward for such people. "
Then I remembered:
So my beloved reader...
What is Christianity to you? Is it a status symbol?
What is the difference between knowing God and knowing God's Word?
Well, I can't talk about what Christianity is for you. Nor can I say if it's merely a "status symbol" for you, but what I can and will share with you is what I believe the difference between knowing God and knowing His Word is.
Pharisee: A very strict Jewish religious sect often mentioned in the NT who tried to apply the Torah (Jewish Law) and their own oral law and traditions to everyday life. The commanded much respect and exercised a great deal of power over the common people, but were often condemned by Jesus for their hypocrisy in allowing the minutiae (small details) of their traditions to contradict the spirit and letter of OT law.
Littered through the pages of the gospel we see the Pharisees who are devoted to their own desires. Their love for God and what He desires is missing.
When we don't know God we become people who do good acts for apperances only...as my friend suggested. The acts that a person who doesn't know God, commit or not out of compassion or good motives, but rather their reasons are empty...hollow. Sadly the hollow acts are their only reward.
These men knew God's Word, but they didn't know God. They knew intellectually what the words scracthed out meant, but they didn't have them in their heart.
Even when we know God we will not live flawless, but we can and must aspire to be as much like Christ as we possibly can.
Thinking about this got me to thinking about Sunday's sermon at church.
The Pastor took the entire congregation through an evangelising track. My Second Chance.
I mention this only to let you know that before you can know God, the true and living God. The real God. The one who created the universe, you must first realize that you need a second chance.
Below are the steps to knowing God:
. We chose to go our own way and rebelled against God. This choice has separated us from God....read ROMANS 6:23, ROMANS 3:23, ISAIAH 59:2
God created a perfect world. Creation is the beginning point. God gave us life. He had a plan and purpose for us. At creation the world was a perfect place and mankind walked in harmony with God...read GENESIS 1:27.
Man failed at his first chance. Man messed up on his first chance. Sin entered and that perfect world became flawed
God offers a second chance. God gave us a second chance at real life through Jesus Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection opened the way for us to know God...read ROMANS 5:8, JOHN 3:16, EPHESIANS 2:9
Everyone needs a second chance. Are you ready for Jesus Christ to change your life?
Dear God,
I come to you needing a SECOND CHANCE.
I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins.
Right now, I turn away from all known garbage in my life.
Right now, I invite you, Jesus Christ, to come into my life.
I give you all that I am and all that I'll ever be.
Thank you for giving me a new life
and restoring me to the purpose for which I was made.
In Jesus' name...Amen.
Saturday: Compassion Blogger
Monday: Multitude Monday...finding things to be thankful for
Tuesday: Knowing God vs. knowing God's Word, 2
Yesterday a good friend and I were talking and he said, "When he speaks he always ask, 'What is Christianity to you ... is it just a "status symbol?" '
"A status symbol?" I replied
He then went on to share with me some of his experiences in counseling Christians.
Were you aware that some people practice "religion" Christianity... to look good?
At first this was hard for me to conceive. I knew it, but I'd dealt with the opposite. I was more aware of the Christian who yearned to live right, wanted to live right, but fell from time to time. Sincereity but flawed human being.
I wasn't ready, though Scripture talks about them, to believe that some people carry their Bibles around...talk the Christian lingo, and do what they do JUST and ONLY to look good.
"You know what that is I asked him?"
"The awe and the responds is the reward for such people. "
Then I remembered:
Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven." ~ Matthew 6:1
What is Christianity to you? Is it a status symbol?
What is the difference between knowing God and knowing God's Word?
Well, I can't talk about what Christianity is for you. Nor can I say if it's merely a "status symbol" for you, but what I can and will share with you is what I believe the difference between knowing God and knowing His Word is.
Pharisee: A very strict Jewish religious sect often mentioned in the NT who tried to apply the Torah (Jewish Law) and their own oral law and traditions to everyday life. The commanded much respect and exercised a great deal of power over the common people, but were often condemned by Jesus for their hypocrisy in allowing the minutiae (small details) of their traditions to contradict the spirit and letter of OT law.
Littered through the pages of the gospel we see the Pharisees who are devoted to their own desires. Their love for God and what He desires is missing.
When we don't know God we become people who do good acts for apperances only...as my friend suggested. The acts that a person who doesn't know God, commit or not out of compassion or good motives, but rather their reasons are empty...hollow. Sadly the hollow acts are their only reward.
These men knew God's Word, but they didn't know God. They knew intellectually what the words scracthed out meant, but they didn't have them in their heart.
Even when we know God we will not live flawless, but we can and must aspire to be as much like Christ as we possibly can.
Thinking about this got me to thinking about Sunday's sermon at church.
The Pastor took the entire congregation through an evangelising track. My Second Chance.
I mention this only to let you know that before you can know God, the true and living God. The real God. The one who created the universe, you must first realize that you need a second chance.
Below are the steps to knowing God:
. We chose to go our own way and rebelled against God. This choice has separated us from God....read ROMANS 6:23, ROMANS 3:23, ISAIAH 59:2
God created a perfect world. Creation is the beginning point. God gave us life. He had a plan and purpose for us. At creation the world was a perfect place and mankind walked in harmony with God...read GENESIS 1:27.
Man failed at his first chance. Man messed up on his first chance. Sin entered and that perfect world became flawed
God offers a second chance. God gave us a second chance at real life through Jesus Christ. Jesus' death and resurrection opened the way for us to know God...read ROMANS 5:8, JOHN 3:16, EPHESIANS 2:9
Everyone needs a second chance. Are you ready for Jesus Christ to change your life?
- ADMIT "That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
- BELIEVE "But as many as received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God ..." John 1:12
- TURN "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." Acts 3:19
- INVITE "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
Dear God,
I come to you needing a SECOND CHANCE.
I admit that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus died for my sins.
Right now, I turn away from all known garbage in my life.
Right now, I invite you, Jesus Christ, to come into my life.
I give you all that I am and all that I'll ever be.
Thank you for giving me a new life
and restoring me to the purpose for which I was made.
In Jesus' name...Amen.
Saturday: Compassion Blogger
Monday: Multitude Monday...finding things to be thankful for
Tuesday: Knowing God vs. knowing God's Word, 2
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