“I was reading in the apostle John’s second letter earlier this morning,” Stan commented, “and I saw something that showed me the importance to my faith walk of going beyond the Bible.”
“Going beyond the Bible?” I replied. “In what way?”
“Quick recap,” Stan said. “At the end of John’s second letter, he wrote that he had many more things to write to the readers of his letter, but he was holding off on writing more with the hope that he would see them face to face before too long?”
“So?” I said. “What’s that have to do with your faith walk?”
“It seems to me,” Stan replied, “that this is the same thing that God says to me through the Holy Sprit when I’m reading the Bible. In essence, He’s saying that He has so much more to tell me, and He wants to do that by having me in a face-to-face personal relationship with Him.”
“Oh,” I said, “kind of like it’s easier for you and me to communicate when we are sitting here together rather than if you were just texting, emailing, or writing to me.”
“That’s it,” Stan replied. “It seems to me that’s what God has for me, as well as for each one of us. He wants us to spend time reading and studying His written word, but He also wants us in a personal relationship with Him so He can tell us more about all He has for us face to face.”
“And He will do that through the Holy Spirit?” I asked.
“Sure will,” Stan replied. “I think that’s one of the reasons He’s also called ‘the Helper’!”
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Bible verses to consider:
Having many things to write to you, I do not want to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that your joy may be full. 2 John 12.
I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. 3 John 14.
When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, that is the Spirit of Truth, who proceeds from the Father, He will bear witness of Me. John 15:26.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for providing your written Word so I can read about all of your provision for life eternally with you when it’s time, along with the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus in an ever-deepening relationship on this side of eternity. Thank you, too, for your provision of a personal relationship with you through the Holy Spirit so I can come before you face to face and find out more about you and your provision. I confess that too often I do not seek to know you better because I choose to do something else apart from you. Please forgive the foolishness of trying to live this life without always seeking a deeper knowledge of you. Please help me in following every step of your lead into the deepest possible personal relationship with you. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you accepted God’s free and gracious provision of life with Him eternally when it’s time so you can experience the eternal life of knowing Him in an ever-deepening personal relationship while He keeps you here? If no, why? If you are a Christian with the assurance of salvation and redemption, how are you doing with reading and studying God’s Word, along with knowing Him in an ever-deepening personal relationship by coming before Him face to face? If you sense the need for change in this, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 