Familarity

Last night I was watching on of Joyce Meyers programs. There are many mainstream pastors and ministers like Joyce; Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Beth Moore and so forth that have been called into question and even persecuted by fellow Christians. I would like to speak to that. You do not know their hearts. The Word of God says, "You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your heart" (Luke 16:15) and "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen." (Acts 1:24). It is clear only the Lord God knows what is in the heart of each person and so judging the intent or motive of someone is impossible, unless they testify unequivocally that they are deceptive and trying to lead people astray.

But even those who are full of mixed motives and wrongful motives when preaching the Gospel, St. Paul says, "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy, and rivalry, but others out of good will. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the Gospel. The former preach the Gospel of Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerity, supposing that they can stir up trouble while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true motives, Christ is being preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes and I will continue to rejoice." (Philippians 1:14-18). Paul makes it very clear that what is important is that Gospel is being preached and even if someone is not doing it for pure motives, it is honored because the Scriptures say, "the word of God will not return void." (Isaiah 55:12). So keep that in mind when judging teachers and preachers who are wealthy and have error in these lives.

Back to Joyce. There was something she said that really impacted me, Joyce Meyers said, "Do you remember when you first became a Christian and you heard God and how exciting, new, and extraordinary it was? Have you found yourself later in your walk asking, why don't I feel like that God? How come I do not hear from you like that anymore? Then God says to your mind, I still do, you just got use to it." (Joyce Meyers, 2015). How profound a thought! We do get accustom to hearing from God and sometimes when Christ is directly speaking to us we respond so much like it is normal that we may not at first realize it was the Lord speaking.

Now some may see this as a bad sing. But I  do not. It means you have become so familiar with the Lord Jesus Christ, that now you talk to Him and hear from Him like you do those close to you. God knows that many who love Him are so closely connected to Him that they do not need a Mount Sinai experience to know He is speaking. As Christians we get to a point as Joyce said, that we no longer marvel at the experience, but make like it is normal and this is a sign of closeness to Christ. So the fact is God has not stopped speaking to you, you just have gotten so use to it that you need to pay close attention or recognize that the Lord trusts you and will get ahold of you in manner that is typically how he speaks to you. Often the Lord speaks through the Scriptures, other times directly to our minds (Psalm 19:1-5, Isaiah 55:8, Psalm 139:9), and in unconventional ways like a movie or book of poetry from a non-Christian.

Being familiar with the Lord is a good thing! It is a sign that we, his followers have so become connected to Christ Jesus that where He begins and we end is unknowable and where we begin and He ends is unknowable! Consider it a badge of honor! Any follower of Jesus can achieve this familiarity if they spend time following Him! The more you talk to the Lord Jesus and listen (conversation is talking and listening) the more familiar you become with God! Our God is a personal relating God who wants to know you and be in your life! He is not taskmaster or cruel deity with pressures to be pious through acts. No our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ wants to be close to you and help you reach that familiarity that when you get to Heaven, the question of "Do you know Jesus?" will not even have to be asked. When Jesus looks at you He will not say, "I never knew you," nor will He have to say, "I know that one," You will simply look at Jesus and He will look at you and both of you will know and no word will need to be spoken; for You know Jesus so well and He knows you so well no words need be exchanged.

Choose today to be familiar with Christ. Do not settle for casual relationship, choose a close relationship! He wants to be personal and relate to you! He is not busy like us, Jesus can talk and carry conversations with every person at once, because He is God! So do not worry about taking up His time! For God does not live in Time! (2 Peter 3:8, Psalm 90:4, ). He can make the appointment and meeting with you. The Lord's schedule is free every day of the week! 24hrs a day, 365 days a year, Jesus Christ is available to talk to you, listen to you, and relate to you (Matthew 28:20). So choose today to be familiar with Jesus Christ.