Jesus is ready to manifest himself to each and every one of us. Are we ready to listen?

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:21 KJV

Step #1: Have God’s Commandments

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:21 KJV

What does it mean to have God’s commandments? It all starts with revelation knowledge.  We are starting a whole series just dedicated to talking about revelation knowledge.  

If you missed last week’s post, check out our first post of the series titled Faith begins by knowing the Word.

How’s your hearing?  I’m not talking about your physical hearing.  How is your spiritual hearing?  Are you feeding yourself on the Word of God and gaining spiritual revelation – in your heart?

If you don’t know the answers to these questions this whole series is for you.  

The very first step in growing closer to God is to HAVE God’s commandments.  You have to have spiritual revelation about what God is asking you to do, and that requires meditating (thinking, talking, memorizing and rehearsing) the verses that pertain to your issue (Joshua 1:8-9).

Step #2: KEEP God’s Commandments!

It sounds so simple right?  All you have to do to get closer to God is do what God asks you to do!  

Think about dating or marriage.  If your wife (or husband) asked you to do something for them – an easy thing – and you simply refused, do you think that would bring you closer or further from her/him?

Maybe you have a logical reason like “I got busy.” or “I forgot” even, but if you do that enough, it starts to convey the real reason – I don’t value you enough.   

It makes sense in relationships like marriage, and it’s the same thing with our relationship with Jesus.  

Maybe no one has ever put it this way to you so I’m going to.  

Obedience Correlated to Love of Jesus

The next part of this verse tells us exactly how obedience correlates to our love of Jesus.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:21 KJV

Those who OBEY the voice of the Lord – THE WORD OF GOD – are showing Jesus directly where their love is.  Remember we have a free will.  When we lay our will down, we are showing God that we really love Him.  

Talk is cheap, and actions speak louder than words. 

Remember when Jesus was in the garden?  He spoke and said if there’s any way this cup can pass nevertheless not my will but your will. Jesus didn’t want to go to the cross, but He did it because He wanted to do the Father’s will.

We have to approach everything we do in life the same way.  Think, It doesn’t matter what I want.  What does GOD want me to do?

Disobedience by Procrastination

Many times we know it’s the right direction to go, and maybe we aren’t saying NO to God’s leadings, we just aren’t moving...  This is called a sin of omission.  It just means that we know what to do, but we aren’t doing it.  We aren’t doing something wrong but we are by not doing what is right. 

I have a post about this very topic called Hearing Better or Doing Better?. 

Lust of Other Things & Deceitfulness of Riches

The devil is going to try to steal your blessings from you and the primary ways are with “the cares of this life” (procrastination), “deceitfulness of riches” (your job), and “the lust of other things” (the new car you have to have).

This can sneak up on you!!

Many times we don’t intentionally lust after other things, but in an attempt to put our loved ones (spouse & kids) above ourselves our focus shifts from God to family.

It’s always right to think about our families before ourselves, but it’s never right to put family above God.  God will NEVER tell you to do anything that will bring harm to your family. It goes against His very nature.  

If you start to put wife and kids above God, your response might be something like Adam’s – “that woman you gave me…”

Shifting blame around to others is a sure sign that you are NOT keeping God’s first in your life and by extension cannot be keeping God’s commandments. 

Step #3: Jesus WILL manifest Himself to us

After all of this, Jesus clearly promises that He will manifest – make Himself known – to us.  This might come in the form of more revelation knowledge of THE WORD.  It might come as greater responsibility in the kingdom of God.  

Just remember to focus your efforts on having and keeping God’s commandments and the manifestation of Jesus will come as a result.  Have a heart that truly wants to serve and loves God. 

Love God Greater

When God tells you to do something, just quit arguing and reasoning it away.  Your reward is on the other side of obedience! 

There is nothing greater than entering into rest and quitting walking after your understanding.  I don’t know about you, but I am not smart enough to figure out my own life. I need a comforter and a guide to help me.  

There’s a whole blog post about not seeking your own will, but instead entering into rest.  

Entering into Rest | Ceasing from your Own Works

Spiritual rest is when you aren’t doing what you want to do, but what God wants you to do. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:29 KJV

Today I’m telling you by the spirit of God that your life CAN change, but it takes obeying the commandments of God. God will make himself real to you when you take the time to really try to obey EVERYTHING the Lord is telling you to do.

Peace that’s not like the world’s | Salvation from Brokenness