EXPERIENCING the Depths of Jesus Christ?

What is the evidence that someone has “been” with Jesus and is really experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ?

Reality

We live in a world of hyperbole today from politicians promising to fix everything, to business opportunities that make you rich overnight, to ministers that have irresistible charisma. Yet many of us struggle to find something real, something truly fulfilling. We search for it in activities and addictions and even religion. Yet, many of us have spent years as a follower of Christ and are still not necessarily experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ.

How can we know if we are truly moving deeper in relationship with God?

A Faith Lifestyle

Many Christians make lifestyle choices based on their faith. A Christian athlete, for example, that publicly gives God the glory for his successes. One who lives morally and raises his family in church. We would agree that this is important and at some level is a fruit of faith. But is it a true indicator a person really knows God in an intimate way? Is it enough to live a moral life? Let’s consider the next level.

Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ

There is a place of experiencing the depths of Jesus Christ where His love constrains us. (1 Cor.5:14) For example, I’m nice to someone in traffic, not out of duty or morality or fear of God’s holy justice. I’m nice because God’s love has so gripped my heart it changes me. Can you imagine a Body of Christ where:

• People pray to simply give God their love and not out of duty or to get something?
• Ministry is a natural outflow of something so real currently happening on the inside of a person and not just based on a past testimony of an experience they had or head knowledge from something they’ve learned?
• Families love each other through God’s presence within them and a real compassion flows between them?

As we wait in God’s presence daily something happens inside of us. As Brother Lawrence shared in the classic, Practicing the Presence of God, consciousness of God’s presence can grow daily — not just as a reality, but as the reality we carry into all of our life.

Focus

For 2016 Cyndi and I are committing to practice God’s presence. We are seeking to spend time daily in God’s presence and would like to invite you into the journey with us.

Along with Brother Lawrence’s book another helpful resource is, Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Madam Guyon. As you might have guessed, this is where I got the title of today’s post.

Would you take some time this week and determine – what do you want to see happen in your relationship with God in 2016?