To know about Jesus is different to living with Jesus in us.
Have you ever been in someone’s company, when the discussion revolves around some outstanding, let’s say an athletic, boxer or rugby player. Or someone known for those high level diving champions.
So much information is shared, it almost sounds like, the person sharing all the achievement has a personal relationship. But as the conversation continues, you pluck up the courage to ask, so do you really know so and so, or do you just know about them. “no, I really don’t know them personally” It’s amazing at that point onwards how the conversation changes, it might even move onto a different topic. You know what I talking about, cause we have all been in such a conversation.
In the same way, there are many who know about Jesus. They can tell you His life story, even quote scriptures about His miracles, but do not have an authentic relationship with Him. Their use of words lacks the feeling of passion, the sense of love and devotion. Why? Because they know of Him, but do not “live” with Him. Living with Jesus in a close relationship.
Living with Jesus as the anchor of your life, living with Jesus, Him being the very DNA of every decision, every motive, every action. Like marriage, the coming together of a man and woman, becoming one. After many years their oneness is clearly see, heard, by those who know them. The oneness has even transformed their minds to think alike, have simular outlook on life. Why?, They LIVE in each other’s world. Especially with the living God within the mix of their relationship, their LIVING is on a much higher level, than most.
So it is, knowing of Jesus is not the same as living with Jesus. That’s when Psalm 23.4 takes on a much deeper passionate experience.
” Even when I walk THROUGH the darkest valley. I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me” Only when you live in an authentic relationship with Jesus, will you really know His strength and comfort.
Just knowing about Him, is like being an distant friend of a friend. But living in relationship, you know the heartbeat of Jesus and you KNOW He knows yours, even when the world is against you. Like God said to Joshua, as he was about to take Leadership over from Moses. ” He(God) will be with you, he will neither fail you nor abandon you”
Deuteronomy 31.7-8.
Only living with Jesus, will you have the reality and experience the richness and trustworthiness of God’s promise, “NEVER leave you!” Friend, my question to you is, do you just know Jesus or do you live with Jesus? Living with Jesus, means that you and Jesus are so intertwined, that those around you can almost not see a difference. You speak as Jesus would speak. You Love like Jesus. Your thoughts are Jesus thoughts. Your openness is like that of Jesus.
Your tolerance of others is like Jesus. Your distain of injustice, abuse, sin, greed, pride, arrogance is just like of Jesus. Where righteousness is chosen over short cuts to achieve something. Living with Jesus make life an adventure, beyond your imagination.
Jesus is the only way, the Life and the way. It’s better to live with Him. Your end on this earth will be rewarded with an everlasting eternity in His Holy Presence.
Try the following, you will know the difference.
“Its no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me” Living with Jesus in us supersedes just knowing about Him.
Galatians 2.20