The Greatest Blessing – Knowing Christ
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
There is no greater blessing than knowing Christ and having a personal close relationship with our Lord and Savior. We can have tremendous knowledge about Christ, but that doesn’t mean we have a relationship with him. Our life has to identify with the life of Jesus to really know the Lord.
Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6) Knowing Christ requires we follow the Spirit who guides our life to live as Jesus lived. Then, we learn to depend on Christ being with us and guiding our ministry. Our thoughts and emotions identify with Jesus when ministering personally to others.
It’s through bringing the Lord’s love to others with our hearts filled with love that brings us closer to the Lord. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:7-8) Our relationship with the Lord is based on his love filling our hearts.
The Lord says, “Wise people should not boast that they are wise. Powerful people should not boast that they are powerful. Rich people should not boast that they are rich. If people want to boast, they should boast about this: they should boast that they understand and know me. (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NET) We can boast about our wisdom, our power, our wealth, or anything the world offers, but nothing compares to knowing Christ who brings his blessings to us through the Spirit that increase in us all through life. Nothing compares to having our hearts filled with the Lord’s love, which brings lasting peace, joy, security, and faith, all from Heaven.
Satan has blinded many souls and filled their hearts with love of self. These people are far from God and know nothing about his blessings. How sad it is that so many people are so easily deceived by Satan’s lies. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44) Those who hate Christians are our enemy, only because Satan has filled their hearts with his lies. We pray for these people because we love them and we know the wrath of God is coming down on them for all eternity.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19) How terrible it will be to experience the wrath of God. Many lost souls may have hearts that respond to God’s love when we bring them the good news of Christ’s love. We pray for lost souls and we minister to them whenever possible. We cannot experience the fullness of life with Christ, unless we have God’s love for all people, including our enemies.
Today, seek to be closer to the Lord through prayer and by serving him. Live with his love in your heart and the peace that transcends understanding. Whenever Satan attacks, run to the Lord to overcome and remain with a heart of peace.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for always being with me and for your perfect love. I depend on you to guide me through the day to reflect your love to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen