Introduction
“My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me. If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.
- John 7:16-17
If you faithfully obey Jesus’ teachings, you will know God and the truth through experience.
INSIGHT: Many people waste so much time trying to “prove” or disprove God. Scientists are even wasting millions of dollars and years trying to find “factual” evidence such as the “God particle” to prove the existence of God. If science can’t even make up its mind on whether coffee is good for us, how in the world can it begin to tell us anything about God? Meanwhile, there are millions with childlike faith who are experiencing relationship with the actual God that science is still trying to find, or to disprove. Science has its contributions to mankind, but not to matters relating to relationship with God (intimacy with God came long before science ever did).
The bible teaches that it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6). God’s definition of faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is a gift from God, not science; if you need faith, ask God for it (Mark 9:24, Luke 17:5). If we approach God based on science, or on what we find in an archeological dig, would God even honor that as faith? If we found Noah’s Ark, what would God say about the faith of those who believed Him, without ever seeing it? (John 20:29) Science can add nothing to strong faith in God, which comes through personal authentic experiences with God.
Imagine the impact on my faith in God, when He asked me to fire my attorney and to trust Him in the divorce, and then He shows me the #777 over 100 times throughout the process, and then I receive my final divorce papers 777 days after my wife had originally filed. How did I feel when I saw that God had defended me just like He promised? How did I view God when I was on my knees thanking Him for doing it in 777 days, and then He tells me to read page 777 in my bible where it says, in the introduction to the Psalms, that God is the ultimate executor of justice, and that He is the defender of the defenseless when no earthly court can or will render justice? What about when I later learned that Jesus Christ was crucified at an altitude of 777m (Golgotha) or that the Gospel of John was built on 777, (7 “I am” statements, 7 discourses, and 7 miracles), or that the nouns God, heaven, earth, in Genesis 1:1 add up to 777, using Gematria?
This is called God manifesting Himself to you (John 14:23). What can science, good sermons or books, church programs, or conferences add to my reality of God, after that kind of a personal experience? And this is only one example of several that He has given me. He wants you to experience Him too! I am NOT special or a favorite of His, even though He sure makes me to feel as though I am.
Think of all the people caught up in quarreling right now about salvation, moves of the Spirit, prosperity, tongues, end times, grace vs works, faith, obedience, sin, worship styles, etc. and yet who are still not personally experiencing God.
Jesus said the way to end the debates and to experience Him is to take the John 7:17 challenge, by putting His teachings into practice. If want your life to be characterized by the joy, peace, rest, contentment, provision, freedom from sin, and fruit that comes from the presence of God in your life, then it’s time to humbly take Jesus up on his challenge and find life to the full (John 10:10). It is a spectacular reward for those who walk by faith, not by sight. (Hebrews 10:38, 11:1-6)
Further Study:
I Kings 17:22-24, 2 Chronicles 33:12-13, Psalm 25:14, 89:15, Matthew 7:21-27, 12:50 +Luke 8:21, Mark 16:20, John 4:42, 14:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:5, 1 John 2:5