The word close means the coming together of some things or people. Being far away is just to be separated from a thing or person. In a case where a man has a gun in his hands ready for a fight and was killed in the hands of someone else holding a log of wood, whereas he could have killed the opponent with just a gunshot. This is the state of being close, yet far away.
I wondered and asked if he was dumb? Why can't he just lift his hands before the opponent's first strike? Then I discover that he lacks understanding. Of course, he knows what it is, but what he lacks is how it works. This man's case isn't as pathetic as some Christians are. We have a great warfare weapon, yet we do not use it unless we are helped from the outside, we will be beaten down to death by things that do not have half the power we carry.
We claim to have a close relationship with the father, yet we get worried and anxious over little things that don't matter. The Pharisees and scribes in the days of our Lord's earthly ministry knew so much about the law of the Lord, yet find it hard to understand what Jesus Christ was teaching(Matthew 15:1-9). They knew that love is the greatest commandment, yet they never practiced it(Matthew 22:34-40). They are highly esteemed by people, yet they were of little relevance to God all because they were close to Him with their lips and not their hearts. Of course, they knew, yet far from the understanding.
It didn't end in their generation, the trend is still flowing. We forget that our God is too big to search. When we get to a particular place out of where he's taking us to, we think that's all he has to offer, forgetting that there is always more (only for those that can thirst and hunger)Matthew 5:6.
We have people in our lives that we seem to be close, but deep down we know nothing about them. We can't know a man if he doesn't open himself to us, the same way we can't know the Lord if he doesn't reveal Himself to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit. It is true that we are close at Salvation, but He wants us to press to a higher calling- to know Him more.
We shouldn't be like the man with the gun(a man tormented of the devil despite his God-given powers). A weak healthy man is better than a blind powerful giant(who doesn't know who he is or what he possesses). It doesn't matter how far you think or know you are, you can always come closer because that's just the beginning. Don't be satisfied with the status quo, long for more. The Lord's arms are always opened to pour out more to desperate souls. How bad do you want to know the Lord?
Knowing isn't just enough(which is good), but the revelation is important. Experience makes it stick faster to the mind and comes to play when needed, but the two are important. For a closer walk, you have to study the word of God ( through the bible, books written by anointed people and God and messages from tapes), fast and pray (it doesn't kill, but it builds. It's like an exercise done to build muscles of the spirit man) and worship Him(express your love, trust, hopes and faith to him through actions, thoughts, words and relationship with others).
There are also some people who are far away, not even wanting to come close at all. I'll love to tell you that Jesus loves you. It doesn't matter who you are, His arms are wide open to accommodate you just as you are. Come experience His faithfulness and I bet you'll never want to leave, and be rest assured that he'll never forsake you, all you need is to open your heart by believing Him. It pays a lot. Are you ready to come closer? All you need to do is press and you will find Him. God bless you as you make up your mind in Jesus name... Amen! SHALOM!!!
I wondered and asked if he was dumb? Why can't he just lift his hands before the opponent's first strike? Then I discover that he lacks understanding. Of course, he knows what it is, but what he lacks is how it works. This man's case isn't as pathetic as some Christians are. We have a great warfare weapon, yet we do not use it unless we are helped from the outside, we will be beaten down to death by things that do not have half the power we carry.
We claim to have a close relationship with the father, yet we get worried and anxious over little things that don't matter. The Pharisees and scribes in the days of our Lord's earthly ministry knew so much about the law of the Lord, yet find it hard to understand what Jesus Christ was teaching(Matthew 15:1-9). They knew that love is the greatest commandment, yet they never practiced it(Matthew 22:34-40). They are highly esteemed by people, yet they were of little relevance to God all because they were close to Him with their lips and not their hearts. Of course, they knew, yet far from the understanding.
It didn't end in their generation, the trend is still flowing. We forget that our God is too big to search. When we get to a particular place out of where he's taking us to, we think that's all he has to offer, forgetting that there is always more (only for those that can thirst and hunger)Matthew 5:6.
We have people in our lives that we seem to be close, but deep down we know nothing about them. We can't know a man if he doesn't open himself to us, the same way we can't know the Lord if he doesn't reveal Himself to us through His Word and the Holy Spirit. It is true that we are close at Salvation, but He wants us to press to a higher calling- to know Him more.
We shouldn't be like the man with the gun(a man tormented of the devil despite his God-given powers). A weak healthy man is better than a blind powerful giant(who doesn't know who he is or what he possesses). It doesn't matter how far you think or know you are, you can always come closer because that's just the beginning. Don't be satisfied with the status quo, long for more. The Lord's arms are always opened to pour out more to desperate souls. How bad do you want to know the Lord?
Knowing isn't just enough(which is good), but the revelation is important. Experience makes it stick faster to the mind and comes to play when needed, but the two are important. For a closer walk, you have to study the word of God ( through the bible, books written by anointed people and God and messages from tapes), fast and pray (it doesn't kill, but it builds. It's like an exercise done to build muscles of the spirit man) and worship Him(express your love, trust, hopes and faith to him through actions, thoughts, words and relationship with others).
There are also some people who are far away, not even wanting to come close at all. I'll love to tell you that Jesus loves you. It doesn't matter who you are, His arms are wide open to accommodate you just as you are. Come experience His faithfulness and I bet you'll never want to leave, and be rest assured that he'll never forsake you, all you need is to open your heart by believing Him. It pays a lot. Are you ready to come closer? All you need to do is press and you will find Him. God bless you as you make up your mind in Jesus name... Amen! SHALOM!!!
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