With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility

How can we become closer to God?  This is a question that is often asked.  Is it merely a quest for knowledge that brings us closer to God?  Should we immerse ourselves in bible studies, church small groups or classes to gain more knowledge of the bible?  While doing these thing are certainly worthwhile, this alone I don't believe will get any of us where we would like to be in our relationship with God.  All of these things will help us to know about Him more but not know him more.  If we want to truly KNOW him, we have to strive be like his son Jesus.  We have to do the things he did.  When Jesus walked the earth, he went from day to day, living a life that was an example.  He taught when the circumstances called for it.  He would speak into peoples lives in the moment right when they needed it.  It is a continual lifestyle not a seminar or class that will help you to know God.  Here is the real question:  Do you want to KNOW God or do you want to KNOW ABOUT God?

“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he.”   Isaiah 43:1

This is God speaking through the prophet Isaiah.  He is saying that He has chosen us to serve him so ultimately we can KNOW him and BELIEVE him.  Notice it does not say "know about me" or "believe in me."  Think about this. 

We can know about God, but not know him.  We can believe in God, but not believe Him. 

To know about God and to believe in Him implies no action on our part.  But in order to know him personally and to believe him we must act.  We must be his witnesses.  How can we do this?  The answer is so simple to put down in words but so hard sometimes to carry out.   1.) Serve: Get involved in a church that is committed to bringing people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.   2.) Be a Light: (Matthew 5:14-16)  Let's start talking about how Jesus is changing us, and about what he his doing in our lives.  None of us is perfect and we all have a ways to go.  But our experiences can help others if we are willing.  We'll start seeing opportunities to talk about him in our day to day life if we open our eyes.  We can speak hope into others lives, just like Jesus did.  In fact. He's planning on it and has divine appointments already lined up for each of us.  To know him we must take action, not just aquire more knowledge.  I say again, If we want to truly KNOW him, we have to strive be like him.

Now imagine this!  Jesus said that we would do even greater things than even he. 

"I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."  John 14:12

We not only have God's resourses, we also tap into his power.  The same power that flowed through Jesus is in us.  With great power comes great responsibility.  Do you realize that you hold life in your very hands.  How can we keep silent?  We cannot covet God's power in order to gain more knowledge.  What good is knowledge if it is not used to bring people into a relationship with Jesus?  We must allow God's power to work through us and bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  When we do this we will be closer to God and know him more.