Wednesday, February 2, 2011

The Secret of the Ages

Quantum physics is on a quest to merge the fundamental forces of the universe into one “Grand Unification Theory,” perpetuating the ancient illusion that “Your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods.” (Gen 3:5) The Bible, however, reduces such knowledge to “profane and vain babblings and oppositions of science falsely so called” (1 Tim 6:20 KJV) Their coveted equations and mystical insights may reveal intelligent design, but science is powerless to eliminate sin, evil and entropy, neither can it replace the pivotal experience of knowing God personally.

The Bible, contrary to science, makes the fantastic and exclusive claim that Christ is “upholding (sustaining) the universe by the word of his power.” (Heb 1:3) The matrix of creation is actually an expression of Jesus Christ. “For by Him all things were created . . .visible and invisible . . . All things were created through Him. . .and in Him all things consist (hold together.)” (Col 1:15-17; Heb 1:2)

Jesus' astounding assertion that he alone is "Truth and Life,” introduced a paradigm that science will never comprehend. (Jn 14:6) Truth and Life are not principles or forces explained by quantum physics. An authentic heart to heart relationship with Jesus Christ is the true physics of reality. That's the secret!

“This secret is Christ himself, in you. He is our only hope . . .” (Col 1:27 NCV) He's not an impersonal force, but a sentient being with exquisite emotions and deep love for you in particular. Sadly, much of the church has trivialized “relationship” reducing it to a cliché, and substituting it with principles and doctrines.

Religion may mirror the truth, but it's virtually as lifeless as science. Jesus exposed religiosity by saying, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you will not come to Me that you may have life.” (Jn 5:39-40) Eternal life is not in the scriptures, it's in Jesus Christ. The Bible testifies of Him, but there's no life in the printed page.

Life and truth are not concepts, they're a person who said, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” (Jn 15:6) That's a terribly alarming statement! But it reveals that life's secret is not simply a confession of faith, but an active abiding in Jesus Christ. A relationship with God is not some static emotionless state. It's an intentional, passionate and persistent communion. We were created to function in concert with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and love is the incentive. All else is emotionally empty and intellectually perverse.

God dwells in a believer's spirit, (1 Cor 2:11) but we must understand that the thoughts of our heart is where communion with Him occurs. (Rom 10:8-9; Eph 5:19) This is why a pure heart and renewed mind are imperative for perceiving God in this life. “Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Mat 5:8)

The entire universe is a manifestation of the spoken thoughts of God. His thoughts are the essence of creation, and we his created image, are defined by our thoughts. As a man “thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Prov 23:7) Thoughts are words, and words are so fundamental to God and human consciousness that Christ is actually called the Word. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (Jn 1:1)

All human relationships (God included) are based on communication of thoughts, and are characterized by their level of intimacy and truth. If your interaction with God is superficial and hypocritical, you are not in a relationship that can sustain and empower you.

We were designed to live by receiving and processing God's thoughts (words). (Rom 8:14) That's what believing is! And that's why believing is a matter of life or death. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life.” (Rom 8:6) Repentance is to change one's thoughts. When our thoughts harmonize with Jesus Christ, who is Life, then and only then, do we possess Life. “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." (Jn 8:24) Until your thinking aligns with Christ your life is just a dying ember. This is not some fanciful rule to test humans, it’s simply the mechanics of creation.

But that's not the whole secret, it gets even more bizarre. Our created purpose as a dwelling place for God's presence (1 Cor 3:16) is called a “great mystery,” and marriage, the epitome of human relations best typifies it. (Eph 5:32) We come to God as a little child, then mature into sons and daughters, which evolves into friendship, and finally we are so captivated by His love that it consummates in the joy and intimacy of a bride.

This wondrous bridal mystery is light years beyond our cryptic expectations of God. The fact that he yearns to relate to us as a bride seems unimaginable. “But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory . . . "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Cor 2)

With great prophetic significance Jesus launched his ministry at a wedding, where he saved the best wine for last, and later revealed that he is the ultimate bridegroom. (Mt 9:15; Mk 2; Lk 5) The Song of Solomon, and many of the prophets foretold of this divine/human marriage. John the Baptist introduced Jesus as the “Bridegroom,” and the bride is the only church remnant to survive the baptism of fire at the end of this age. (Rev 19-22)

Marriage between a man and woman is profoundly sacred, because it's the image of God's eternal plan. “This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” (Eph 5:22) The intimacy of the bride and Christ will reach such intensity that the prayers of the bride will literally induce his second coming. “The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" (Rev 22:17) We vastly underestimate the seriousness of this, but it's a critical end time truth that the church must embrace.

As this age draws to a close, the church will mature into it's full destiny, a bride “without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” (Eph 5:27) The American church is about to undergo a fiery transformation where God becomes our lover, not some acquaintance to be patronized for happiness, prosperity and self-esteem.

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.” (Rev 19:7) We have a responsibility to make ourselves ready. If we passively discount God's knocking at the door of our heart, our nakedness and wretchedness will be exposed in that day, as we face Jesus' shocking and traumatic rejection, “I never knew you.”

There's hope and security if you seek, “Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.” (Jude 1:24) God is passionately able, but love won't coerce or violate free will. Our part is to simply, “Resist the devil . . .draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands . . .and purify your hearts.” (Jas 4:8)

“Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.” (Dan 12:10)


Copyright 2011 by Hayden Humphrey

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