Posted on Leave a comment

YOURS, OR OTHERS ?

YOURS OR OTHERS ?

Hi, what does having an intimate relationship with God mean?

My next questions are,

  • what does having an intimate relationship with God mean to you ?

  • what does having an intimate relationship with God mean to God ?

Well, now you know what i mean, God’s definition supersedes, and our definition should be aligned with His.

Is reading/ listening to the Word enough? God knows that you are reading about/ listening to Him, and you are gaining more and more knowledge about Him, yes, academically. But is this what you define having a relationship with God is? Do you think this is what He wants from you?

READING IS NOT ENOUGH

However, reading and listening are just the beginning, they are like actions of baby Christians drinking milk. Everyone needs to go through this stage before they can eat meat. So far, it is a one way street, meaning, you know God, not vice versa. Of course, God is your omniscient Creator, He knows you like the number of your hairs on your head, yet God does not know you as in a relationship. Knowing the Word through reading is not adequate without being known by the Word. Similarly, believing is not adequate without being  obedient through action, otherwise we will be at the same league as the devil – James 2:19. Em mm, no wonder ??

DO YOU REALLY LOVE HIM ?

And if you are not even reading daily, start your jOURney now. Do not be like the foolish bridesmaids who wait for the  Bridegroom with all other Christians, who think they will surely not miss the boat, but find out that He does not know them. Will those who do not know/ read the Word, AND those who know/ read the Word but not known by Him, be in for a big surprise and disappointment?

So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?

Galatians 4:9 NLT

So, how do you become known or recognised by God like the wise bridesmaids?

But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Corinthians 8:3 NLT

Not lip service, but if you say you love God, you would obey His instructions…

If you love me, obey my commandments. John 14:15 NLT

Just as your desire compels you to say you love God, your action will be compelled to align with your word, to live out, and be carried away by the Living Water. And one of His instructions is,

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Joshua 1:8 NLT

So, back to the question, do you love Him? If you do, what do you think you need to do? Importantly, do you think He knows you? Remember, knowing Him is only the beginning. Knowing Him IS NOT the same as to be known by Him.

IS THIS YOUR QUESTION, OR SOMEONE’S ELSE?

In YFBRC, we teach people to go beyond the level of knowing Him. We are determined to make sure His creation interprets His intention correctly through weekly T class, on top of daily reading, i repeat, on top of daily reading.

i have just conducted a T class recently. And the highlight of this class that is still playing repeatedly in my mind, even though it has been days after the class, it has not dwindled.

Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”

John 18:34 NLT

(Undoubtedly, without knowing the source of this question, any coach  around the world will be able to tell you that this is a very distinct, recognisable and powerful coaching question. To Christian coaches, like me, we are grateful. To us, Jesus is the Master of all coaches – parenthesis because it is not the main thing i want to write here;-)).

In order for you to understand and put John 18:34 in context, you need to read this chapter before proceeding further. Click this link.  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2018&version=NLT

Please do not skip this, you will have better reading and learning experience, before the revelation starts to sink in for you. And if it ever arouses your curiosity to read more while reading this chapter, do not stop. Perhaps, you may not have the same encounter with God again if you choose to read my article over His Word. The remaining of my article will, patiently, and eagerly wait for your return.

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

🙂

Welcome back ! i trust you have chosen to read God’s Word first, then this  article. A test, perhaps? 🙂 Did you pass the test ? It is for you to know & response, God still loves you no matter what. 

Now,

Jesus replied, “Is this your own question, or did others tell you about me?”

John 18:34 NLT

Please understand this, without knowing the Word yourself through the Holy Spirit, you will NEVER know how to love, please and be known by Him, the way He wants you to. Therefore, never lean on your own understanding. Though you think you know Him, but you have never been on the same page as Him. The fear of the Lord from the following verse should keep you on your toes.

But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ Matthew 7:23 NLT

In Gospel according to John, Jesus was always able to look straight into and beyond the eyes down to the heart, intent and motive of His persecutors, even though their outward appearance told a different story. Applying John 18:34 into your world, “Do you say Jesus is the King because your pastor, cell group leader, parents or friends told you so, OR do you go to Jesus with curiosity like Nicodemus, with an intent to start a relationship with the King ?” Jesus is coaching you to define the motive of your heart.

Clarity.

Just as He wants you to define your allegiance to God, or to the devil, be a goat, or be a sheep, be a wise bridesmaid, or a foolish bridesmaid. i always remind my T class mates and students that He asks not that He wants to know for Himself, but He asks so that we may know and discover ourselves, so that the rippling effect from the revelation received, may cause us to be transformed by the Holy Spirit.

YOUR PERSONAL JOURNEY WITH HIM

A personal relationship with God, requires you to read the Word for yourself. Teachers of the Word and pastors are important, but their teaching is not a substitute/ proxy for your journey and personal relationship with Him. Many  times, God uses them to confirm what He reveals to me, and teaches me when i do not understand about a particular aspect of Him or life at stake. A good teacher of the Word will always point people to have an intimate relationship with the Word. Are you constantly promoting a deep relationship with the Word to your flock ?

A good teacher does not merely teach.

A good student does not merely receive.

CONCLUSION

So back to the question i started with, what does having an intimate relationship with God mean ? Likewise, to know Him is to read the Word. To be known by Him is to understand Him, love Him and live out His Way, His instructions with obedience.  And that is the 2-way street relationship that will help us to gain access to the Marriage Feast.

AN INVITATION

This is just one of the many recorded revelations that God shows me daily. i also share relevant & practical principles of God directly from His Word, every week to those who attended the online T class. Join me and others, not just reading about Him, but be known by Him based on the definition described above.

Join us, by clicking the 2 links below :