The Worth Of Knowing

It needs to be said loud and clear:

Our experiences of Jesus do not change Who He is. But they do change us.

In other words, how I feel about Jesus doesn’t change His character or what He has done. But how I feel about Jesus can change me and my thoughts, view of self, relationships with others … basically everything.

Faith in Jesus is not simply historical facts to shape our lives around or a series of experiences that make us feel better. It’s a relationship that probably includes both those things along with God’s unconditional commitment to us (John 10:28,29).

It’s interesting how God made our minds capable of logic and imagination. And we’re most capable of changing the things we do when we believe we have hope – that we have reason to imagine a better outcome.

It’s like we were made for faith. Not a religion that’s merely historical and logical or experiences that are merely emotional, but a safe relationship that can reach to the very core of who we are and give us hope of something better.

Because faith is based on a safe relationship with our God and Creator it can and should touch all aspects of who we are – thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sanctification isn’t merely an outward change but something that God works deep inside us (Phil. 2:13).

Both our thoughts and feelings need to be informed by the Word of God. They never become Truth, but they can learn to submit to Truth. And the Truth does truly set us free to live abundantly in the ways that matter most.

While I can (and should) work on redirecting my thoughts and denying selfish desires I can also let my emotions themselves be sanctified. I can let Jesus close to them and change them too.

We’re so often told that we need to obey and the feelings will follow. And while we should of course obey God despite how we feel, if we spent time letting ourselves feel what it means to be near to the God described in Scripture we would have less tension with our feelings. Our feelings would be informed of truth in the way they understand.

The Bible is full of imagery of what it’s like to be in close relationship with God. From falling on our faces at His holiness and glory to resting in His arms like a child next to his mother’s chest, there is no lack of examples the emotions that being near to God brings.

I can let myself feel what it means to abide in Christ (John 15:9,10). I can let myself imagine what it’s like to be nourished and cherished by Christ (Ephesians 5:29). I can rest in the security of being safe in my Father’s hand (John 10:28,29).

Many of us have deep, emotionally charged memories and lies that we can’t seem to shake despite intellectually knowing the Truth. It’s like they speak a different language than our rational thoughts. When we let Jesus near those feelings they can lose their power. The truth informed feelings that have felt Jesus being good, loving, wise, and with us can quiet the feelings of loneliness, hurt, and discouragement that certain memories or situations bring.

God is unchanging. His commitment to us is unwavering. He knows us fully. We are safe with Him.

“But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭73:28‬ ‭ESV‬‬