Drop Your Formulas - You Can’t Hide Anything from God.
Drop your Formulas. You can't hide your imperfection, or from his love.
We all want to be known, but not really known, right? If someone came up to you and said, “Hey, I know all about you. I know the things nobody else knows”, you’d probably go into a panic. I would too.
And God does know us. Jesus knows everything about you. Nothing is hidden from his knowledge, he’s all-knowing. "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." Hebrews 4:13
That is a startling truth. The Father knows everything about you (EVERYTHING!) and yet, Jesus still loves you.
The Greek verb "ginosko", to know has the idea of a loving relationship. To know as Jesus knows is not about information. It’s about love, intimate relationship, sweet, loving fellowship. To know in this way is to love. This is why, the Psalmist can confidently say: "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way." Psalm 139:23-24
Jesus demonstrated to the woman at the well that there was nothing she could hide from God. And still, she was deeply loved. She did not have to earn his love, his approval, the "living water" or the life of purpose. All of this and her eternal existence were given to her through Jesus.
The number one tendency of all of the world’s religions, including Christianity at times is to become a deed-driven, legalistic faith, where we have to earn our way to God, force his hand. And, if there is any imperfection in us, we hope he can work it out or make it so he will not see it, excuse it, or because he's "good," let us get away with it. But, God would not be loving if he didn't do something about your brokenness. He dealt with it by bearing the shame of the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). Grace is expensive!
No human formula can accomplish what His love can do!
Today's passage:
“Go call your husband,” he told her, “and come back here. “I don’t have a husband,” she answered. “You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” John 4:16-18