Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Who are you led by? This is a question that each of us must answer in an absolute transparent fashion if we truly want to change. When entering into a spiritual discussion, who do you quote? Is your foundation of understanding based on a man’s writings, sermons, or broadcasts or are they based on what the Holy Spirit ministers to you as you spend time with FATHER?
It is time for us to awaken our souls and respond for He is summoning us to the Door. You can read volumes about FATHER and increase your knowledge or you can respond to HIS call and know HIM on a personal basis, which path you take is up to you.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians chapter 8:
1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
If we continue to focus on knowledge, we feed our mind, will, and emotions and we further empower our mind. At the same time we feed our emotions by satisfying the need to appear to be seeking the Spiritual. We can point to the time we spend reading as though it increases our Spiritual sensitivity and provides us satisfaction toward meeting and achieving some goal. In reality, we must spend time seeking FATHER and listening for HIS Voice. Don’t get me wrong, HE will direct us to various reading materials etc. as HE determines the need, but it should be in response to HIS direction, not our soul’s desire. On the other hand, if we focus on Love, we are known by HIM. It is critical that you understand the difference between the pursuit of knowledge versus Love!
If you pursue the external, your fruit will be lacking in the Spiritual and your reward will be temporal. Jesus made it very clear in Matthew 6:
5 “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.”
The hypocrite wants to impress others of his apparent spirituality by placing the focus on him and his ministry. He redirects the attention of others by his outward actions and words. It should be every mature believer’s purpose to direct others to maturity in Christ, not himself. Each of us should be pursuing a personal, intimate relationship with FATHER, not becoming disciples of men who would convince us of their “anointing” by outward acts void of Spiritual fruit. You are not called to judge men’s hearts but you are called to be “fruit” inspectors.
Paul spoke this warning in Acts chapter 20:
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church (called out ones) of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
As each of us mature, we must direct the focus of others to HIM, not us. When Jesus knocks, our souls must be awaken to immediately respond to His call. In Revelation chapter 3, Jesus emphatically stated:
20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
You must prepare yourself to respond to His Call. Don’t be caught asleep when the knocking at the door comes forth.