The Only Way

"There is nothing done outside of love that will cause any person to choose Jesus."

THE WORD IS our foundation, and it is comprehensive. It contains all we need. But it is not complete. There is much that is not written in it. By example, the apostle Paul spend three years in Damascus, after his salvation, hearing Truth directly from Jesus (Galatians 1:19). This Truth went into his letters to the churches. But it was revealed to him from the foundation of the Torah and the prophets. Bottom line, God does speak of deeper things, but He does so only to those who treasure it; and He knows the heart of all men.

This goes to prayer. Any prayer to any god. Small g. Many seek Him in their words, and He hears and answers. His heart is to draw them to Him (John 12:32), to be seen by them. He hears all prayers of Israel, knows all prayers stuffed in the wailing wall. Any prayers. Why would He not hear? They are His people, covenanted with Him from Abraham. They will say so.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” (John 12:32)

I have read their words of their redemption, of their Messiah, of their King. One Jewish boy, around five years old, said Messiah would return on Pesach (Passover) and He’ll be riding a donkey, a white one. This is an amazing reflection for such a young child, and his parent expressed surprise. In another video, a Rabbe (Rabbi) told a Holocaust story. Thousands of Jews were stripped bare and forced to dig their graves on the night of Shabbat (Sabbath or a Saturday). They chose to sing, to worship the God of heaven, despite the threat of death, for they said to their captors they would soon be there. In heaven.

WATCH one child’s reflection on his Messiah.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DV4xo7sFLft/?igsh=MTUwenMyamRnb2E4Ng==

Jesus is Moshiach (Messiah). They simply won’t call Him that, and the reason is ours. We are partly at fault.

Many Jews believe the New Testament story is Catholic. Why did this become a thing, as we’d say? Because of the conflict with Rome. Protestants are also as guilty, The Crusades, of history’s past, was an attempt to take over Jerusalem and force Jews’ conversion. There is nothing done outside of love that will cause any person to choose Jesus. Love is THE ONLY WAY people see Him.

How well do we know Him? I thought I did and discovered I knew very little. I was full of wrong images – that God is silent, and when He’s silent, He’s judgmental. I was told He’s continually measuring how strong we believe before He helps us. I can’t recall hearing one sermon on God’s mercy, yet the Word of God is full of this Truth.

God is not silent because He’s waiting on us to reach the right strength. He’s not silent because we’ve wandered away from Him. Nor is He silent because everything we’ve said was correct. We assume this a lot. Truth is, when we think we’re right, we stop seeking Him, and when we stop seeking Him, He lets us keep talking. He knows our every thought and our words before we speak. He knows our spirit and our soul. He sees our motive in what we said. But the more we say what isn’t Him, the further off-center we are, and it is possible for us to stay there. We can miss out on great revelation.

We must know His Voice from that of our reasoning and not call it confidence or boldness. Boldness, such as we’ve pictured it, is selfish. JESUS must be Lord. He is Lord to me. He directs all my footsteps, and I bow to His wisdom and authority. But He also accepts my preferences. He accepts my personality and creativity. I do most things the way I’ve learned to do them. On the other hand, where I’ve heard His heart on subjects, WHAT to say and HOW to say them, His desire is first place. And more and more, His silence has become mine. Where many try to find the words to explain topics, not necessarily with a wrong motive, He’s spoken to me, and I see from His point of view.

I wish more would speak from His Spirit and less from their understanding and personal likes. I wish more would hear His “yes” or “no” on topics before they assume the church needs to hear them. I wish His body would look and sound like His love, like Jesus who was willing to die although He is eternal. I wish more would take His command seriously. He said to “ask the Father in my name, [and] he will give it you (John 16:23).” Not just things, physical goods, but wisdom and knowledge, prudence and discretion. He united us with the Father, who adores His children. And He’s the quietest of Them all. You have to lean in, your hand in the Spirit’s, your cheek next to Jesus, in order to hear. Afterward, you won’t be the same.

The closer we press, the more we see, the less of us is in the equation, and the greater the capacity of our heart.


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Suzanne D. Williams, Author
www.suzannedwilliams.com
www.feelgoodromance.com