Now we believe, not because of thy (the woman of Samaria) saying; for we
have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the
Savior of the world-John 4:42.
All inward knowledge of God, which is the prerogative of every Christian
man, is made possible and actual for any of us only by and through the
mission, and especially the death, of Jesus Christ our Lord. For therein
does He set forth God to be known as nothing else but that supreme suffering
and supreme self-surrender upon the Cross ever can do or had done.
We know God as He would have us know Him, only when we see Jesus suffering
and dying for us; and then adoringly, as one in the presence of a mystery
into which he can but look a little way, say that even there and then "he
that hath seen me hath seen the Father" [John 14:9].
Jesus Christ's blood, the seal of the Covenant, is the great means by which
this promise is fulfilled, inasmuch as in that death He sweeps away all the
hindrances which bar us out from the knowledge of God. The great dark wall
of my sin rises between me and my Father. Christ's blood, like some magic
drops upon a fortification, causes all the black barrier to melt away like a
cloud; and the access to the throne of God is patent, even for sinful
creatures like us.
The veil is rent, and by that blood we have access unto the holiest of all.
Christ is the Source of this knowledge of God; inasmuch, further, as by His
mission and death there is given to the whole world, if it will receive it,
and to all who exercise faith in His name, the gift of that Divine Spirit
who teaches in the inmost spirit the true knowledge of His Son. To "delight
in the law of the Lord" [Ps. 1:2] is the sure way to know more of the Lord.
One act of obedience from the heart will teach us more of God than all the
sages can. It is more illuminating simply to do as He willed than to read
and think and speculate and study. "If any man wills to do His will, he
shall know of the teaching." And mutual possession of God by us, and of us
by God, leads to fuller knowledge. To possess God is to love Him; and "he
that loveth knoweth God" or, rather is known of God [1 John 4:8]. So, do not
be content with traditional religion, with a hearsay Christianity. "Acquaint
now thyself with him" [Job 22:21], and be at peace.
In Celebration of Life in Him,
Dr. Jim DeBruhl, gembeaux@bellsouth.net
" Everything is wrong until God makes it right,"
