The Experience

2 Peter 1:8, "For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

The qualities that Peter is talking about are faith, moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, persecerance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. All thing we might universally recognize as Christ like characteristics. But does anyone wonder how knowledge leads to knowledge?

This is one of the many truths of the first chapter of 2nd Peter. The quality "knowledge" is in greek known as gnosis. This greek word means objective knowledge. Knowledge learned from study without interaction with the subject. It is also the basis of the term Gnostic. A spiritual Gnostic is being someone who believes that they can achieve enlightenment, or perhaps a higher spiritual connection through learning and studying. All of which is a far cry from "the true knowledge" Peter suggest is available.

The true knowledge come from the Greek word epignosis. Epignosis is subjective knowledge, and that comes from interaction. That come from expereince with the subject. In this case the subject is Jesus Christ.

Many in the Christian community are like the Bereans. Studying the word of God and applying it to life. This is Gnostism in my opinion. The word of God is there to lead us to Christ. And in Christ out of that relationship we live life. Can you see the difference? The Gnostic believes they can somehow study thier way to knowing all that God knows. The Epignostic believes they can snuggle up right next to God, put thier head to His chest, and nothing else matters. That if He needs the epignostic to know something then He will tell him. Until then "not knowing, not hoping to know,and not acting like we know what's happening, we begin to access" the awareness of Jesus Christ. We practice His presence NOW instead of searching His presence in the past to explain today. Does this make sense?

This is not to negate reading the Bible or studying. This is only to put it into perspective. It is one of many qualities that lead us into a deeper relationship with God. In fact I have read my Bible many times over. But I do not read it looking to improve my knowledge. I read it to understand my God more. I read it to compel me to a new experience with Him, or to explained and confirm a new experience I have had.

This is why I write. Not to teach you the reader anything. But to articulate my experiences with God, so that perhaps you might be inspired to go deeper, or to confirm the depth you have already achieved, or to respond with showing me the path to fully knowing God more.

My Mom told me a story yesterday of a woman who expereinced the presense of God on a swing. That it was so real she moved over to make room for Him. THIS IS THE EXPERIENCE I AM TALKING ABOUT. But let me explain something to you. He did not make a special visit to that swing. He was there the whole time, she simply became aware. It is possible to have this experience all the day long.

So to be technically correct, I write because I am having that experience now, and this is what we are talking about. What I write about are those experiences. Go have an experience with Christ today. In fact, have it all day. It will blow you away.

Stop thinking, and start being. An attack by Satan, a test of faith, and the discipline of the Lord all look the same from natural eyes. Relying on intellect, relying on objective knowledge will lead you astray. It is inadequate in comparison to the wisdom of God. But practice His presense. Become aware of His being there, be aware of His thoughts, see what He sees. Be less so that He can be more. Know less so that you can access all that He knows.

If you listen to the attached song, listen to it from this perspective. It is not us asking God to come away with us. It is God singing to us, come away with Me. He is inviting you into His presense. He is inviting your awareness. His heart is open. He is saying to you... open up your heart.

Now

1 Thessalonians 5:17, "pray without ceasing;"

I had lunch yesterday with a relatively new friend in my life, and during that lunch we engaged deeply into the subject of what I call the gospel of the kingdom of God. He calls it "practicing His presence" or "living in the now." Either way, regardless of terminology we were talking about the same thing.

You see there is a place with God that few people go. A place of continually seeking His face like described in Psalms 105:4 and yesterday's post. A place like the apostle Paul described as praying without ceasing. This place is a place of constant connection to God. It is a place not only of connection, but of awareness. My computer is constantly connected to the internet, but I am not constantly aware of that connection. God's desire is not only for connection, but awareness.

And so this lesson of continually seeking His face, of "practicing His presence" is something that really is taking on a new life for me. In the past I have understood the connection. I have achieved what I thought was praying without ceasing, but today, in light of so many lessons colliding in my life I see that there is a tremendous amount more than I imagined. And thus the importance of "living in the now" as a description of the process.

A process that scripture would call abiding in the kingdom of God. That is because God abides in His kingdom, a kingdom that He allows to be planted inside of us. As we abide in that kingdom, as we yield to that kingdom's sovereignty, then we abide with God. However, in order to do that, we must live in the now. We must achieve that place spiritually that all that matters is right now. Right now I am looking in the face of God. Right now I am reflecting Christ. Right now what is God doing? This does not mean that God is not doing something that will directly benefit tomorrow, just that what is important is doing it with Him now.

The more I become aware that living in the now is practicing the presence of God -- if I am focused on Him and seeking nothing more than that presence, then everything outside of the now is a distraction to that. Focus on the past, or future is to violate the moment now with God. Scripture says, "Do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matt 6:34) The only way to not worry about tomorrow is to force yourself to live in the now. To force yourself and say in your spirit, I am going to look at you God, I am going to enjoy you presence.

My truck needs tires, I don't have to walk 5 steps on my property to see something that needs financial attention, and in those moments I am faced with a decision. Do I focus on the kingdom, on being with God without worry; or do a fret and plan how to take care of tomorrow.

Do I turn on the TV and fill my mind with mindless distraction, ignoring everyone and everything around me? (All too often) Or do I enjoy the presence of  God hidden in my beautiful wife, investing in the now with her.

There are endless examples, but the point is NOW is all that matters. Life is full of hardships, and we don't know what it will bring us tomorrow. It may be a struggle that last years. It may be full of blessings. It may even bring death. All we have is right NOW, and right now can be with God in His kingdom. James 4:14, "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." Live in the now, focused on the presence of God, for no other reason that to enjoy His company. It is in this lifestyle that everything else takes care of itself.

At least that is what He is sharing with me in this moment... I haven't fully experienced the everything else, but if I will continue to experience Him, everything else won't even matter.