Ever have a verse just pop out at you while spending time in God's Word? How 'bout half a verse?
While reading through First Peter the other day, I got hit with half a verse -- "conduct yourselves throughout THE TIME OF YOUR STAY here in fear;" (1 Pet 1:17b)
So it seems we're just visiting -- on a bad vacation -- anxious to go back home. Peter already told us earlier in the chapter where our home really is -- "to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, RESERVED IN HEAVEN for you." (vs. 4)
In the next chapter, Peter calls us 'sojourners and pilgrims' -- as throughout both his epistles, he underscores our heavenly citizenship. It is awesome to just meditate on these things. It puts everything in perspective.
Only you, my born-again, Spirit-filled, brothers and sisters can relate to this -- as we regularly see the Word of God come alive in us -- as "a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."
"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb 4:12)
Professing Christians whose beliefs are merely based on the academics of creeds and systematic theology miss out on the spiritual dimension that God has breathed upon us. Some of them even look down on us, dissing us as mystics and Gnostics, because they can't understand what they do not possess.
That's the opposite extreme of those who chase after signs and wonders and get their reward from lying spirits and doctrines of demons.
We must not lose sight of who we are in Christ Jesus -- stay connected to the Vine. He is not an academic topic -- He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Don't allow denominationalists to quench the Spirit when they criticize what they don't understand -- even if they appear scholarly.
“Jesus answered and said to her, “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.... But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” (John 4:13-14, 23-26)
"But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.: (Jude 1:17-21)
