I am dismayed but not surprised as I hear more people say they did not realize their loved one was not a Christian; some people even say they did not realize they were not Christians themselves. False teaching says good works get us to heaven or it encourages head knowledge of God without an intimate surrender to him. This lures people into believing they have a living faith when they are lost. Remember what James said in 2:19-20, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. How foolish! Can’t you see that faith without good deeds is useless?” James did not say the good deeds saved people, but that those deeds show an already living faith. The key is surrendering our entire life and heart to Christ. Few people who claim to be Christian have ever done that. Let’s explore this scary reality and also cherish the truth for those who have embraced it.
I grew up in one of those denominations that claimed certain works (they called them sacraments) earned salvation. We were taught that infant baptism gave the recipient salvation. And when the baptized person went through the church’s Catechism classes this confirmed her faith. But, at age 14, I knew two of my classmates had not surrendered their hearts to Christ, and at our confirmation ceremony, I was praying for their salvation. But I did not tell anyone else I was praying like that, because the others in my church (including my dad who was our pastor) believed these boys were true Christians despite their lack of any love for God. Although I had spiritual discernment enough to recognize the lack of faith in these boys, I was not wise enough to see past the lack of faith in others who preyed on naïve, Christian women. More than once, a con man pretended to be a true Christian. He knew enough of the terms used in churches to convince me.
I think I also felt guilty questioning the faith of these men (and some women I’ve befriended, too) because it felt like I was questioning my parents who were convinced anyone who spoke those words was a true believer. I felt this guilt, even after my parents died. But one day I considered the story in Hebrews 12:1 of the “great cloud of witnesses” of the faith, and I realized my parents, in heaven, know the full truth. They are not disappointed by my refuting that belief from our family church. They know the truth, and if they knew I disagreed with the lie, they would rejoice. I am not betraying them but living according to truths they now embrace too. We are in agreement when I refute those lies. Let us all consider this if any of us grew up in a denomination or even just a small church where any lies were taught, including any legalism. Our loved ones in heaven do not feel betrayed but glad we embrace the truth.
So let’s get back to the joy of experiencing God. We can get to know God as a person in the sense of his character and in how he reveals himself to us in Scripture. There is one God in three persons: God the Father, Jesus the Messiah, and the Holy Spirit. God is full of mercy, compassion, even joy. Furthermore, God manifests himself to each of us differently, because he made each of us differently. For example, the Holy Spirit will minister to us according to our personality, weaknesses, strengths, and preferences. He will relate differently to each different person. If you prefer logic, God may appeal to your logical side to help you be wise. If you are artistic, God may use art forms. I cherish nature, and God has often used aspects of nature to encourage me. In one harsh time of my life, God drew my attention to a crack in pavement. An alyssum seed had blown there and rooted. In the midst of the ugly pavement a fragrant little flower was growing, and because it is a short flower, it could hold on and not be blown over like a tall flower would. I sensed God telling me that the phrase, “Bloom where you are planted,” was even true in harsh circumstances like my life was then, and as it was for this tiny flower.
God is delighted in the way he made us, and we please him by being what I would call our “true self in Christ.” I added the part about Christ, because some people say they are their “true self,” but express this in their sinful flesh doing many things that do not please God and that often hurt others. God made our distinct personalities beautiful, but our sin nature mars those personalities so that we might use them for sin. An introvert might shun nearly all people and become a recluse. Yet a Christ-surrendered introvert may need time for herself, but she will also share her time with a select number of other people, usually at a deeper level. That introversion will be beautiful in its depth and care for those select people. God intends for the introvert to have a small (not huge) group of people with whom she can grow close, and that is part of her beauty.
An extrovert may sin by doing all the talking and not letting others speak. Yet her extroversion is beautiful in Christ, and she can minister to larger groups of people and encourage them. She would wither if she had to do a job where she was alone for the entire day, day after day. God wants to use her friendliness to reach others, and this also brings her joy.
In both of these cases, these women can serve God and also get to know him better. The introvert may find deep truths about God while she is alone, or perhaps as she talks with one or two close friends. The extrovert may also spend time alone, but often she does need to talk to others, and in this manner, she can feel God’s love reflected through their love.
As we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, he will fill our hearts with life and peace (Romans 8:6.) He will free us from powers that lead to death (Romans 8:2.) He gives life to our formerly spiritually dead bodies (Romans 8:11.) He births spiritual life, like the wind, in a way that defies our human understanding (John 3:6-8.) As a result, we can ask expectantly of God and trust him to take control of our minds. We can listen attentively so that we can surrender to what the Holy Spirit tells us to do. The Holy Spirit leads us to the Father and helps us better understand all the sacrifices Jesus made on our behalf.
There is so much more to experiencing God, but I want to keep today’s post brief, and I will share more about this wonderful joy in another post. Thanks so much for joining us in today’s post, and may the Lord bless you as your pursue him so you can experience God as a person!