Freedom to choose

Here is a very good teaching on pursuing the knowledge of God, by Mike bickle, called Encountering the Magnificence of Jesus (Proverbs 2) the notes are here

Jesus opens up a whole new world to me, by grace.

I have been meditating on Proverbs today. While singing it out on the piano an epiphany came to mind, and the result is shared below. Enjoy! Actually, it's not the first time that I've been thinking about this particular topic.

The bible teaches that, while we were in the world, we were slaves. Romans 6:21:

What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things [is] death

We were free to do what we want, but none of the things we did resulted in life.

Jesus came to destroy the power of sin, and to reconcile us to the Father, transfer us into the Kingdom of Light, and give us eternal life.

In proverbs it uses very active and effective words to describe the way that we are to seek the knowledge of God. In Proverbs 2 it says:

2:3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, [And] lift up your voice for understanding,
2:4 If you seek her as silver, And search for her as [for] hidden treasures;

In fact this is not the only time where the use of active (verbs) are used to describe the way we are to seek.

Eph 1:17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,

Who is the one we are crying out to, and what is He giving to us? If we are asking for wisdom, then whose wisdom is it?

to find that wisdom is life. We also know that, God has made Christ, wisdom and power from God. When he bridged the gap of separation with us, by grace, the vast wealth of hidden mysteries and wisdom were revealed, (yes, were!) and the salvation that He wrought, also became the fullness of His glory. Christ being our salvation, is our life! When He gave Himself for us, He was providing the gap that was separating us from absolute and unlimited pleasure. Because Christ is everything!

When He says, "don't go back to doing the practices that you did, while in ignorance" who is He talking to? Surely just the people that live, gasping for breath because they were cut off from this life.

There is now nothing separating us from everything that we ever wanted. And Christ has been given the key. How does this all play itself out? Just in that, being united with Jesus means that when you are searching for wisdom, giving your heart to not depart, not turning away, giving attention, persevering for the gold, listening to instruction, being obedient, we are not outside the vast limitless mysteries and fullness that is Jesus Christ and he becomes everything. He did it Himself!

This is only the beginnings of the beginnings, this is what God has revealed to me by His Spirit because I live a lifestyle of hunger and encounter with God. Oh yes, but obedience is the first! I will not be hindered from encountering His love. I really cannot take anything! No one ever pointed to the Son when the Father is pouring forth His wisdom. No one ever said "nice singing" when you're singing about the one you love. No one ever said "nice serving" without looking at the person doing the work.

I just want to add as well, I'm looking forward to when Jesus arrives. I will see Him face-to-face. I also miss Him very much. Jesus is the same person forever. The one I obey will come to me because I want Him to - because I show it by my lifestyle and cry out for Him to come. These all happen because it's the same person. Beauty in Sovereignty