It's All in the Process - Part 3

(Read the other posts first, otherwise this one won't be as potent as it could be.) So...with these things in mind, let me pose a Scripture challenge to everyone who reads this that has a relationship with Jesus (or wants one, thinks about having one...well, even if you don't want one, read this anyways) and desires to grow in intimacy with Him.

"For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: AND GOD RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY FROM ALL HIS WORKS"; and again in this passage, "THEY SHALL NOT ENTER MY REST." Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience, He again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, "TODAY IF YOU HEAR HIS VOICE, DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS." Hebrews 4:4-7

What this verse is basically describing is this. God is at rest and there people who are not coming to meet Him in that place of rest because of their own disobedience. So, for some of us, it could be major things like lusting after others, stealing from others or from God, lying, using God's name in vain, dishonoring parents with actions or attitudes, coveting others' goods, idolizing entertainment, a spouse, or girlfriend or boyfriend that is keeping us from entering into the place where God is...that is, a vibrant relationship with the Creator that is the evidence of being saved from the due punishment for sin in hell and our walk upon the narrow path to eternal life with Christ in heaven (if this doesn't make sense, click here). Others may just be feeling like their devotional life and/or life in general is just stale and without God's presence. They can't see big things wrong, yet, in my experience, normally there is a lie about who God is that has been believed (this is sin) and must be pointed out, turned from and thrown away in order to enter into that intimate fellowship with God...

Begin by asking God what it is, if anything, that is keeping you from experiencing more of His presence and love. Wait for a bit. Ask God to "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." (Psalm 139:23-24) Anything that comes to mind, verbally tell the Lord to take it away by believing that it (the sin) has been killed on the cross with Jesus. Tell the Lord that you receive His forgiveness and freedom from the sin. Think of how much love Jesus has for you by dying for you on the cross and how much power He has to raise from the dead. Bless His Holy Name! Go ahead...praise the Lord! If you think you are without need of doing this, you are probably falling into the Pharisees' mindset...trust me, I've been there...go to God and ask Him for a new heart.

I can't stress enough the importance of this in the process of walking with the Lord because this is where our freedom in Christ is discovered and experienced. Though I do think that many things are learned through process, some things can be experienced immediately. My victory over lust was literally an overnight victory given to me by God as I walked through what I have instructed here.

I don't claim to understand perfectly the relationship between God's grace and human responsibility, but I do know that if we ask for more of God's help in drawing near to Him, He will answer us and grant us it. As the verse in the beginning ends with "TODAY, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts." Please know, God is near and wants you to know His nearness, turning from those things that take us away from Him is where it all starts and enjoying Him infinitely more than imagined is where it ends...if infinity has an end. =)