Back to the Basics

The fundamental truths of Christianity have life changing influence. We must not only know these basics mentally but we must also wholeheartedly experience these truths. John 8:31-32 "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

A basic principle of Christianity is Christ and the fact that He died on a cross in order to atone for humanities sin. This is a supreme act of God's redeeming LOVE. Recently, God keeps reminding me of His redeeming love and ALL that Christ accomplished on the cross, for me. I can't grasp it all but I'm just okay with basking in that love and deliverance! This simple revealing of His love has changed my life. I have recently been able to pour out a more genuine love. The more I feel loved by God the more compelled I am to love on, and invest in others.

God's perfect love casts out all fear (1John 4:18). For me genuinely loving somebody is always a risk, the risk of getting hurt. I'm always hesitant to love because of that risk, my feelings are too precious to me. My fear of genuinely loving people and investing in people is perpetually diminished as I receive and experience the true understanding of my Father God's perfect love. God has given me so much Joy and Peace and the only explanation is His Grace and Love, for me. Even when I don't see it He is working in my favor. The crazy thing is that I have turned my back on Him and fail to acknowledge and thank Him, yet His Love is unconditional. Experiencing and understanding this truth about God's LOVE is liberating. I'm overwhelmed! There are many mysteries of God, but I'm sure that understanding those mysteries won't bring as much life transformation as understanding God's basic truths.

To be honest I struggle with truly and passionately believing everything that I mentally know about God. It's because there is a difference between knowing in my head and knowing in my heart. Passion and conviction come from knowledge in our heart. It's also true that real heartfelt knowledge comes from experience and application. I can only grasp God when I encounter Him and experience His attributes. Most times there are things in my life (pride, selfishness, distractions) that hinder me from experiencing God's basics. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in wanting to know everything mentally, when God is trying to speak to my heart. Yes God wants our minds too, but life transformation happens in the heart! It starts with the mind but the heart must follow!

It is our human nature to complicate things but I'm striving to go Back to the Basics and restart from there. I want to daily encounter God with an open heart and allow Him to transform both my mind and heart. The struggle of giving Him my full attention will continue but I know that my choice to follow God intimately, the more His truths will be revealed. These revelations of basic truths will undoubtedly make me free to follow His will wholeheartedly.

Father God thank you for truth, liberation, LOVE and hope! May we all use what you have given us to bless the world. May we fight with truth, worship with liberation, do with love, and live with hope; all for Your Glory!!!

SuaVe 248E