The Divine Appointment

The Divine Appointment

Words of Faith 10-12-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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2 Corinthians 5

   [16] So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

         Paul no longer viewed anyone from a worldly point of view. This included his view of Christ Jesus. As Saul of Tarsus, Paul had known about Jesus. Saul was a Pharisee who fiercely opposed Christ and His followers. He had regarded Jesus, literally "knew Christ," from a worldly point of view or "according to flesh". He had information about Jesus, but this was not the same as believing in Him and trusting in His grace.

       If you were to talk to many people they would report that they know something about Jesus. They might even know a lot about Jesus-- the facts concerning His earthly life and even the theology of the church concerning Jesus. All of this is still according to the flesh-- the worldly point of view. The truth is that mere information about Jesus cannot transform a person from self-centeredness to selflessness. Only a rebirth by the Spirit of God could effect that change for Paul. This is the effect of the personal encounter with Jesus.

       The one thing that we desperately need is that encounter. The personal encounter with Jesus moves us beyond our intellectual knowledge and even our religious heritage. The personal encounter with Jesus transforms us in a way that rituals, songs and services never can. At the bottom line, every one of us is utterly in need until we meet Jesus for a divine appointment.

         That divine appointment with Jesus makes us aware of our spiritual poverty. We realize we are spiritually destitute and without hope except for this appointment where He is making us new. We realize that even our religious activities are empty and hollow without this birthing of the Spirit that is happening. Suddenly, in that moment, we no longer view Jesus from our flesh but from the Spirit. This is the wonder of the New Creation.

       How are you "regarding" or "looking at" Jesus Christ? Do you see Him from a worldly perspective? Is He a great prophet, religious leader and man of history? Is He a stuffy character from childhood pictures? Is He a religious icon that you revere but keep at a distance? This is all "according to the flesh". He wants to know you by His Spirit. He wants to transform you. He wants to open your eyes to things you can never see without Him. He wants to launch you on a new adventure as a new creation.

       Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see You by Your Spirit. Make me into the New Creation that you desire for me to be. Cause me to regard You and know You through the Spirit and no longer from a worldly point of view. Lift me out of my spiritual poverty and forgive my sins. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear. Cause me to no longer regard anyone from the worldly point of view. In Jesus' Name.