Saturday, February 18, 2017

The Saturday Series - 2 “Personal and Propositional”

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

(Friends:  Most Saturdays for the duration of this year, I plan on sharing a message that relates to the character and nature of God, and our response thereunto.  I hope you will find it helpful, and as always, thanks for allowing us to send the devotionals to you.  Glen).


The Saturday Series - 2 

"Personal and Propositional"    
    
     
   God exists as both a personal and propositional Being.

   "The LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name" (Exodus 33:17).
   "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God,and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3).
   "The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130).

   God knows in personal terms.  He can be known personally.  He also exists in unalterable terms of Truth and reality.  Through Scripture, He communicates about Himself and His creation accordingly.  Thus, we must know Him in both living relationship and conceptual doctrine in order to ensure genuine response to God and His Truth.

   "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).

    I recently heard a gentleman on the radio who sought to defend the personal nature of God.  "Doctrine is important, but…".  Red flags immediately went up in my mind.  The  man went on to suggest notions that compromised Biblical teaching, particularly regarding the Divine nature.  Had he said, "Doctrine is important, and…", the flags might have remained lowered, and perhaps his commentary might also have been more accurate.  Worshipping God involves "spirit and truth", not spirit or truth.  God can be known, and He must.  However, He must be known as who He actually is.  This begins and continues in the light of Biblical revelation, as rightly coordinated in minds both personally illuminated and doctrinally educated.  "I am the Truth… Thy word is Truth" (John 14:6; 17:17).

   We must know God in the personal, living terms He seeks with human beings.  We must also understand His truth in order to lead us to such fellowship, and to ensure that that our relationship with Him is spiritually authentic.  His personal and propositional nature demands that we journey upon the parallel paths that lead from the Throne of Heaven, and to the Throne of Heaven.  Removing a foot from either path gravely imperils our walk with the Lord "in spirit and in truth".  Indeed, we must know Him by the Holy Spirit's enlivening of our hearts.  And we must understand His truth by the Bible's enlightening of our minds.

"Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened."
(Ephesians 1:15-18)


Weekly Memory Verse 
   God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
(Psalm 46:1)



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