Hosanna Restoration Church

Last time we discussed the difference between Christianity as a concept and an experience. We noted that if we act only on a concept we will more than likely be acting and we can only act for so long. On the other hand if we take action based a relationship that has grown from an experience, then the action is the manifestation of the living water overflowing from our lives.

Our first then which is most important results in Christ making His home in our hearts as we trust in Him. Needless to say, we know that it is not comfortable to be somewhere if we know the people there do not really trust us or like us. So then it reasonable to believe that Jesus also is more and more comfortable taking His place in our lives as we trust Him more and more. Verse 16 explains how God from His unlimited resources empowers us with strength through the Holy Spirit. So we must believe that God has unlimited resources and that it is His will and desire to empower us through the Holy Spirit. We know He will do His part; it is our part that activates the truth in our lives. As we do this, our roots go down deep in His love and keep us strong.

The next then is the one that makes us complete with all the fullness of life and the power of God. This comes from experiencing the love of Christ. It is important that we realize what this will do for us. When we consider the importance of something then we put forth the effort to see it done. For example, at my mother’s house she had been catching drips in her kitchen when it rained. I knew I needed to get up on the roof and look at it, but just never got it done. Finally one day I saw that it was more than just a little drip and that there were several buckets lined up so I decided I better look at it. Wow! One look told me that I should have done it a long time ago. As a result I had to rush around and patch it as best I could in a limited amount of time. The point being that I did whatever I could in order to fix the problem as fast as I could once I realized the importance of it.

Too often, people are guilty of missing the importance of an experience with Christ. We are fooled into thinking we don’t need to get carried away! As a result, there is no power, no confidence, and no results because there are no real roots. Many people have deep roots in their religion or church, which is fine if it grows from and experience with the love of Christ, but more often than not what they have only leaves them doubting, defensive and frustrated. That is a pretty good description of the leaders that crucified Christ. If only they would have experienced His love!

The greatest thing we can do is develop a hunger for the Love of God. We should make it our goal each day to experience His love. He is always loving, but we often fail to recognize it. Once we begin to look for it and call it what it is, we will see it manifesting more and more around us and ultimately through us. It is one thing to say, “Oh yes, I know God loves me.” It is quite another thing to “Know” the love of God and experience it continually.