ABBA FATHER -- Tomorrow:
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Rom. 8:15). "And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of
his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father" (Gal. 4:6).
The seriousness of being ignorance of God is seen in the judgment that will be rendered against all such people when Jesus appears in all of His glory. Here is what the Spirit says on the matter. "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on THEM THAT KNOW NOT GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power" (2 Thess 1:7-9). Let no person look upon an ignorance of God as a light matter. Such ignorance alienates the individual from God, and will certainly culminate in banishment forever from the Lord.
To be ignorant of God is not merely to lack information concerning Him, His requirements, and His marvelous works. Basically, this is a lack of acquaintance with the Lord: i.e., being unfamiliar with his Person and His ways. It is the difference between the rank of file of Israel and Moses. As it is written, "He made known His ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel" (Psa 103:7). The idea is that God had communion with Moses, during which he unveiled His nature and manners to His servant (Ex 34:5-7). Israel saw what He did, but had little acquaintance with His ways, or character. Where communion, or fellowship, with God is not present, God cannot be known.
A lot of the contemporary preaching concerning Jesus is not proper. I make this observation with some regret, not wanting to appear sardonic or critical. However, Jesus' primary relation is to God the Father. His secondary relationship is to us. Too often He is represented as a Solver of human dilemmas and sort of "bosom buddy" of those that feel lonely. There is an element of truth in these depictions--but only an element. Christ's identity with us is the result of His relationship to the Father. If that primary association did not exist, He could have no fellowship with us!
Too much of the preaching of our time confines Jesus to the realm of domestic and social difficulties. This is a serious distortion of the truth. Jesus was sent by God to do the will of God. He came to reconcile us to God, and enable us to please Him. Our lives are "hid with Christ IN GOD" (Col. 3:3). This is fundamental to our understanding and reception of Him.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to show me Your glory, Your Person, and your ways.