Spring 1989
Truth In The Inward Parts
Joanne Danner

With the advent of computer technology and electronic mass media, modern society has been inundated with knowledge. In fact, this trademark of knowledge is so indicative of this present era that social science has named our society an "information" society.

The church world has also been affected by this great influx of knowledge through books, tapes, and other learning materials that are now available to Christians. Daniel prophetically painted an accurate picture of the existing situation of rampant knowledge and technology that is typical of our period in time by stating that in "the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased" Daniel 12:4.

However, in the midst of abundant intellectual and religious knowledge that is available to the end-time church today, there is a barrenness for the type of knowledge that will produce substance, character, and transformation in our lives.

Although knowledge in itself is not a negative thing, there is a vast difference between intellectual and spiritual knowledge in the study of Godly principles. The Lord desires us to study to show ourselves approved unto Him, but intellectual knowledge alone will only produce information (I Tim. 2:15).

Spiritual knowledge that is combined with daily experience is the divine recipe that will produce Christian character in our lives. Spiritual knowledge with transforming power cannot be perceived through the intellect because this type of truth is a knowledge of the heart, rather than of the mind. It must be experienced in our lives before it can renew our minds and become reality.

This method of learning truth flows from a relationship with Christ. It is derived through a process by which truth is personalized in the inner chambers of our heart through a daily walk with the Saviour. The outworking of truth through our relationship with Christ will involve a great deal of time and cost to bring us into maturity. We must learn to run the race that is set before us with patience by investing the time that is necessary to cultivate an intimate relationship with Christ (Hebrews 12:1-2).

The Lord desires us to learn spiritual principles in the inward parts of our being because truth does not belong to us, nor can it transform our nature into the image of Christ, unless it has been worked out in our personal lives through experience (Jeremiah 31:33). Spiritual knowledge is costly. The Lord tells us to "buy the truth, and sell it not" (Prov. 23:23). We must pay a price for truth, and we cannot sell it to others because they must purchase truth for themselves through their own daily relationship with the Lord.

In the parable of the ten virgins, the foolish virgins sought to buy oil from the wise virgins, but they were told to buy oil for themselves by going to the source (Matt. 25:7-13). A daily walk with Christ that will produce "spiritual knowledge" in our inner being, along with the "anointing oil" of His presence is this source.

When the marriage feast began, the Lord refused to allow the foolish virgins entrance into this kingdom realm. The kingdom realm is reserved for those who have chosen a marriage relationship with the Lord through an experiential and subjective walk with Him. The foolish virgins had a relationship with the Lord on a superficial level because they only knew Him through blessings, service, and spiritual gifts. Their character remained untouched by the transforming power of God. Fruits of integrity and righteousness were not evidenced through their personal lives.

Some people do not desire a deeper walk with Christ because it involves avery costly, hidden relationship. It is much more costly to be hidden with Christ in God in a relationship that will transform our lives through the application of the cross than to settle for a shallow knowledge of God (Col.3:3). As hidden gold is formed within the darkness of the earth where the natural eye of man cannot perceive its existence, the gold that represents His nature being formed in our lives is produced in our secret, daily walk with im.

There is a reward waiting for those who choose to know the Lord in a greater way because the Lord tells us that He will "give us the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places" (Is. 45:3). The spiritual knowledge that has been learned through a secret relationship with Christ is given to us as a reward for allowing truth to become personalized in our lives.

If we are to truly know the Lord, we must become like hidden gold that is formed in darkness. This darkness represents the processings that result from a relationship with Christ whereby we are conformed into His image. Psalm forty-five tells us that the clothing of the bride is comprised of wrought gold(Psalm 45:13). Wrought gold represents the gold of His nature that has been fashioned, formed, and beaten into shape in our lives. Gold is refined in great heat and pressure. The Lord counsels us to buy gold that has been tried in the fire so that we may become rich (Rev. 3:18).

If we endure the processings of the Lord, our lives will yield the gold of His nature and presence (Psalm 19:9-10). Spiritual knowledge in the inward parts will produce Christian character, substance, and transformation when truth has been etched upon our hearts through a marriage relationship with the Lamb.

As fine gold will not tarnish, the gold of His nature will endure in our hearts unto everlasting life.