January 23, 2015

Knowing God...intimately!

John 17:3

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

Personal Challenge...

"The knowledge of the only true God is far more than intellectual understanding. It is participation in His divine life and in communion with Him. Thus, eternal life is an ongoing, loving knowledge of God in Christ and the Holy Spirit." Orthodox Study Bible, p. 1458.

Once again our modern, Western way of thinking has sent us down the path of pursuing intellectual understanding of God. We try to rationally deconstruct the scriptures to find God. We basically worship the scriptures and call that worshiping God. We read books about God and call that a personal relationship with Him, or a true understanding of Him. As I learn more and more about the martyrs and saints that have given their all for their Lord there is a common theme. It is a vibrant, personal relationship with their God, developed in the context of the community of the Church, and totally consuming their entire being that gives them the power to live this way for their Lord. One does not give up his life to the enemy because he knows about his Lord...He does it because he participates in His divine life and is in constant communion with Him. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!