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Growing up, I was no stranger to going on dates. Movies, out to dinner, pretty much anything that my parents were willing to pay for. Isn’t it very interesting that we choose crowded, public places to “get to know each other?” Ism anyone really going to be vulnerable in the middle of Applebees?
When I got serious about dating, I would brainstorm the best places to go to actually get to know the lady I was going on a date with. Oftentimes, when I’d go to a restaurant and there wasn’t much to talk about, I would just focus on how good or bad the food was just to carry the conversation. This helps the time pass by, but it’s definitely not a sign that I was meant to be with that person.
I realized that one of the best ways to get to know someone is by taking them hiking. Just you, alone with your date, on a three-hour hike. Sure, dinner is cool and involves less deodorant, but there is a huge difference in talking with someone versus walking with them.
While on the hike, you get to know so much about a person. This is partially because there’s only the two of you, so if anything personal or confidential was said, you could simply deny it later on. This is where I found out that I could understand someone’s goals, mentality, and even their hygiene.
The interesting thing in coming to Christ is that all of us talk about Him, but I haven’t met many who actually walk with Him.
“19 You believe that God is one; you do well. So do the demons believe and shudder [in terror and horror such as make a man’s hair stand on end and contract the surface of his skin]!” - James 2:19 AMPC
The scary thing about this conclusion is that knowledge of God doesn’t confirm a relationship with Him. We all know about the moon, but who has actually landed on it?
“39 You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! 40 And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life.” - John 5:39-40 AMPC
What I’ve realized is that most sermons consist of knowledge of God, but aren’t based off of personal experiences with Him. The sad reality is that talking about God shows that you have knowledge of Him, but the sharing of experiences in your relationship is proof that those feelings are mutual .
I guess the saying I learned in my childhood still holds true: Many can talk the talk, but only a few can walk the walk.
“14 For many are called (invited and summoned), but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14 AMPC
Talking about God proves that you have knowledge of Him. Walking with God proves that He actually knows you.
“21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? 23 And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands].” - Matthew 7:21-23 AMPC
Jesus died for an opportunity for each individual to experience a true relationship with God. The sad reality is that religion has camouflaged itself to allow a form of godliness, but no real significant life change.
“5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].” - 2 Timothy 3:5-7 AMPC
So we find ourselves talking about God the Healer, but relying on doctors for healing. We brag about having a Counselor, but are constantly going on google to find counseling. We claim to have all of our needs met according to His riches, but are too afraid to leave our jobs that clash with our devotion to Christ.
A form of godliness can get you in the door as a leader at most churches, but won’t allow you to come close to experiencing the true Kingdom of Heaven. If there is any truth in us, we know in our hearts the difference between the two.
Many of us have been promoted in churches based off our talk about God, but God personally promotes us based off of our faithfulness in our walk with Him.
“12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but [reverently] to fear the Lord your God, [that is] to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your [mind and] heart and with your entire being,” - Deuteronomy 10:12 AMPC
We see often that the people that are personally appointed by God himself dont usually follow under a system or organization made up by man.
“15 But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased 16 To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone]. 17 Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus.” - Galatians 1:15-17 AMPC
“27 And they came again to Jerusalem. And when Jesus was walking about in the [courts and porches of the] temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 And they kept saying to Him, By what [sort of] authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do them? 29 Jesus told them, I will ask you a question. Answer Me, and then I will tell you by what [sort of] authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men? Answer Me. 31 And they reasoned and argued with one another, If we say, From heaven, He will say, Why then did you not believe him? 32 But [on the other hand] can we say, From men? For they were afraid of the people, because everybody considered and held John actually to be a prophet. 33 So they replied to Jesus, We do not know. And Jesus said to them, Neither am I going to tell you what [sort of] authority I have for doing these things.” - Mark 11:27-33 AMPC
Question of the Day: Have you been hiking or will God send you on a hike for eternity?