Summer
2008
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 a very 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 Him.
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.