The People That Know God : Pastor Tony Samuels
Holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. - Timothy 3:5 (AMP)
When the word religion is used in the negative sense, it refers to a man with no relationship with God coming up with his own interpretation of God. You can learn things about God; you can hear about other people’s experiences with God; but you have to get to know God for yourself.
I think we have made a grave mistake in the Body of Christ. We have replaced our relationship with God with our favorite preacher, and we are no longer being led by the Spirit. Instead, we are being led by YouTube videos and daily podcasts. I’m not saying these things are bad, because I listen to plenty myself; but I am saying they are not there to replace your relationship with God Himself. If anything, they should confirm what God is saying to you. Then, through your relationship with Him, you will identify quickly what is of Him and what is not.
We’ve even gotten to the point where people choose to follow individuals based on the size of their ministry and the number of followers they have. They choose to follow these “popular preachers” over the very Pastor God has connected them with, regardless of the fact that they have no relationship with them. 1 Corinthians 4:15 says: For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. There is a big difference between a teacher and a father. Both are a source of information, but the word father signifies relationship. Some teachers we listen to we’ll probably never meet on this side of Glory…but we have access to the fathers. A father in the natural would never want to be replaced by a teacher. In the same sense, God the Father does not want to be replaced by our favorite preachers, or even our Pastor. He is calling us into an intimate relationship with Him. Look at what John 17:3 says: And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. Our lives should be about knowing the Lord. He says this is eternal life, knowing Him!
I love the story of King David. When he took on that guy named Goliath, it was amazing that someone with less physical strength, experience, and resources was able to take on a national enemy…one that a whole army was terrified of. What was David’s secret? He had a real relationship with God that was not cultivated on a platform, but was cultivated in the secret place. His power and boldness came from this place. When David was trying to convince Saul that he could take on the Philistine, he shared an experience from His relationship with God. 1 Samuel 17:37: David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee. A man with an experience is never at the mercy of someone with an opinion. Your experience with God will give you a boldness that makes no sense to people with no experience.
As you look at the Bible, with its many examples of people that knew God, you can see they had an unshakable faith. They were willing to confront things and people that made no sense. They were even willing to die for their faith. We are living in a time where we have to cultivate our relationship with God and draw close to Him, so that the reality of His Presence will be greater than the reality of anything that happens in this world. I will leave you with this powerful Scripture, Daniel 11:32: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. An exploit is: a feat; spirited or heroic act. Church, it’s time to seek the Lord. Cultivate your relationship with Him, and you will grow strong and be a prepared vessel for anything that happens in this World.
May 31st, 2020