As Christians one of our chiefest aims is to abide in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Entering into the “holy of holies,” that dwells inside us (Hebrews 9, 1 John 4:15, 1 Corinthians 3:16) is a refreshing and restorative experience. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon you there is no substitute for the ecstasy. The sheer loving presence of God is like a consuming fire of passion and the believer feels transcended. We all as Christians live for this experience, and wait for the day when it will be permenant and Christ shall be with us in body and spirit (Revelation 20:4-10, Revelation 21:1-53). Until that day when our glorious God and Savior Jesus Christ comes on the clouds of heaven, we make due with His Spirif descending on us.
As aforementioned the presence of God is intoxicating. In charismatic circles there is an expectation that the Holy Spirit will hearken unto those who call upon Him and move in His gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). While this I acknowledge is a delight and I to would prefer to enjoy the Lord’s presence at all times; it does make me feel some caution. While I believe every person can and should feel our God’s presence daily, making it a prerequisite or standard for being a good Christian is ill advised. There are brothers and sisters in Christ who love the Lamb of God with a passion but due to their circumstances arn’t able to feel God because of stressors, anxiety, and other emotional trauma. To these I say “it isn’t important if you feel Jesus, it’s important if you want Him.” Feelings are fleeting, and if we are to endure the persecution to come, we must learn to love and want Jesus even if we do not feel Hom right now. Remember the times you did have major manifestations of His presence, Third Heaven experiences (2 Corinthians 12:2-5), and other Holy Spirit ecstasies. Hold fast to the hope we have in the Holy Trinity. Even if we do not have spiritual ecstasies and revelations, God is there. There is a saying, “when God is silent, He is working in your life the most.”
I am not advocating a “silence” based relationship with our Lord. I am merely pointing out that if you do not feel The Holy Spirit, pray. If you cannot discern Christ’s presence, chase after Him. He is not far awhy, for He said “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Our Lord is ever with us and lives in us and we in Him, “Anyone who confesses Jesus Christ as Son of God, God lives in them and they live in God.” (1 John 4:15). How can you say, “God does not speak to me,” or “God is far from me,” how can that be true if you live in God?! Enjoy His presence, but if there is quiet then don’t fret! Our Lord is theee and He is in you and you are in Him. Amen. (John 17:20-23, 1 John 4:15).
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