“It seems to me,” I commented one morning, “that the motivation of a lot of people revolves around the notion of wanting more, of never being satisfied with what they have.”
“I would agree with that,” Stan replied, “and my prayer is that the church, the people who call themselves Christians, would have the same motivation.”
“You must be kidding,” I responded. “Why would you pray for that?”
“Depends on what ‘more’ I’m talking about,” Stan said with a smile. “Is it the ‘more’ of the world, the flesh, and the devil, or is the ‘more’ that Jesus was talking about?”
“What ‘more’ was He talking about?” I asked.
“The ‘more’ of what He and God the Father have for us,” he replied. “Luke’s gospel records that Jesus said that at least twice. As well, Matthew’s gospel records the same thing. Jesus warned that it’s real important to listen to what Gold has to say so that each person will have more of God.”
“More of God?” I said. “How can a person have more of God?”
“That, I think,” Stan replied, “is what knowing God is all about. I think I am called to an ever-deepening personal relationship with God. It’s what He intends. If I’m not growing closer in a deeper understanding of Him, I’m likely to be drifting further apart from Him and from what He has for me.”
“Did Jesus say that?” I asked.
“Seems to me He did,” Stan replied. “And I can back that up with my personal experience. As I choose to draw closer to Him in an ever-deepening relationship, I know for a fact that God draws closer to me and shows me more of who He is, what He has for me, and how He wants me to respond.”
Continuing, he added, “Jesus is recorded as saying that the person who has a relationship with Him and chooses to listen to Him, that person will be given more of a deepening relationship.”
“And if a person doesn’t pursue a deepening relationship?” I said, “what about that person?”
“It looks to me,” Stan replied, “that Jesus had a stark warning in saying that for such people who are not pursuing an ever-deepening relationship with Him, even what they think they have will be taken away.”
“Kind of like backsliding?” I asked. “Why would a person choose that over an ever-deepening personal relationship with God?”
“Good question, my friend,” Stan replied. “Good question.”
___________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him. Luke 8:18.
For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him. Matthew 13:12.
I tell you, that to everyone who has shall more be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. Luke 19:26.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all you have to say to me through your written word and through the voice of your indwelling Holy Spirit. Thank you that you want me to listen to your voice so my relationship with and knowledge of you increases continually. I confess that too often I do not pursue an ever-deepening relationship with you because I choose to do what I want to do apart from you. From too much experience I know that when I choose that, it is a choice to have taken away what you have for me in a deeper relationship. Please help me in following every step of your lead into the deepest possible relationship with you, the relationship you want and intend for me. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Where are you in your relationship with God? Do you have the assurance of spending eternity with Him when it’s time? If no, why? It is a free and gracious gift that needs only to be accepted by faith. If you do have the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with pursuing an ever-deepening personal relationship with God in Christ? Do you believe that if you do not pursue a deeper relationship on a continuing basis that there is a likelihood of “backsliding”? Why or why not? If you sense the need for pursuing an ever-deepening relationship with God, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? If so, pursue it!
Waiting for the Train 