“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 4, 14 NKJV)
Over the years whenever fellow Christians have sought my counsel, the first thing I want to get a feel for is where they are at with their reading of the Word, the Bible, and their prayer life. What I have found is that people in trouble have usually disconnected themselves from the ‘power source’ by falling away from reading the Word and praying daily. People may say that they love Jesus, but they forget that Jesus is the Word.
I am paid to troubleshoot very expensive and complicated pieces of equipment. I must approach any kind of problem I am called out to with logical discernment. It is the same way with the Christian realm. I have heard many Bible teachers point out certain subjects such as joy, peace, love, faith, hope, compassion, encouragement, holiness, etc. as being most important. But let’s look at the English word ‘love’ for example. In the Greek it is broken down into 4 separate words, the greatest being ‘agape’, which to us, is Godly love. We are told by Jesus that the two greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
Let’s look at love and what Ravi Zacharias explains. In cannibalistic societies loving your neighbor just might mean eating your neighbor. What we learn from this is that we must have a knowledge of what this ‘Godly love’ really is. That knowledge only comes from knowing the Word of God, the Bible.
Now let’s put things into perspective. ‘Godly love’ is the powertrain that propels us, not only in this life, but through eternity. ‘Godly knowledge’ is the gas pedal for that powertrain, while ‘Godly wisdom’ is the steering wheel. If we don’t hit the gas pedal of ‘Godly knowledge’, we don’t go anywhere! Look at Solomon, the wisest man to ever live. We learn from Scripture that he made a mess of things in his personal life. What he lacked was allowing a ‘Godly knowledge’ propel him through his personal life.
“For I bear them (the Jews) witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” (Romans 10:2 NKJV)
“The devils also believe, and tremble.” (James 2:19 KJV)
Satan knows the Bible backwards and forwards, but it is not with a Godly perspective. The Jews had zeal, but their leadership fell far short of the knowledge the Lord wanted them to gain from Scripture. We learn from this that we must hunger and thirst for the pure Word of God. We must make sure that we do not develop itchy ears, wanting to hear only what we want to hear. We must pour over the Word of God with perceptive eyes and ears that are driven by a pure heart.
Feelings are not to be put first, but so many American Christians live their life that way. Many even travel here and there in the hopes they will be able to partake in the music that produces goosebumps and the manifestations that follow. When this occurs, a day of reckoning takes place, catching so many unprepared. A firmly grounded Bible teacher warns us:
“Agape love is a mindset, not a feeling. Feelings are to follow actions, not the other way around.” (David Jeremiah)
People may step out of a dynamic Sunday service from fired up music and encouragement to face the world. But once the hardships of life hit you head-on, it will only be a continuous pouring over the Word of God, seeking ‘Godly knowledge’, and a constant attitude of prayer, seeking ‘Godly wisdom’, that will carry a person through. Remember to listen for that ‘still small voice’.
Here is something to leave you with to think about. Faith will no longer be needed in eternity because we will see face-to-face what we believed, sight unseen, in this world. It is the same for hope. We will no longer have to look forward to our Saviour’s glorious appearing once we step foot into eternity because we will be right there with Him in glory. But love and knowledge and wisdom emanating from the LORD will carry us through eternity.
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” (I Corinthians 13:12 NKJV)
“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.” (Revelation 21:23 KJV)
Annointing 