There’s a powerful scripture in the Old Testament that holds a secret to “knowing” God. It states:
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD” (Hosea 6:3)
Jesus was fully aware of this as the multitudes followed him from place to place. He knew that his very words of life were falling upon a vast variety of hearts, minds and souls. Therefore, the only thing he could say to the crowd was:
“He who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 13:43)
This aspect of Christ’s ministry was never so poignant than when he talked about the true believers in Him would learn to “eat his flesh and drink his blood”. The scriptures show how the vast majority of his so-called disciples responded to that saying.
They said within themselves:
“This is a hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60)
“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.” (John 6:66)
And seeing the multitude walk away, he asked the twelve:
“Will ye also go away?” (John 6:67)
You see, the multitude didn’t “follow on” to “know” that Jesus was referring to “eating” his Word and “drinking” his Spirit! He wasn’t talking about cannibalism or our modern-day tradition of the “communion service”.
With thousands of preachers speaking to millions of Christians every Sunday, how many of those preachers are actually speaking God’s words and how many of those listening are actually hearing any truth? How many are actually taking on the responsibility of feeding themselves with the Word of God and empowering themselves by communing with God in His Spirit.
So, when Jesus admonished his disciples to “follow thou me”, he didn’t mean over the hills and valleys of Judea. He was talking about following Him ALL THE WAY until we learn to OVERCOME the world by faith.
And that takes some effort! Paul said:
“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (1Corinthians 9:24)
How many “runners” does Christianity really have today? How many actually commune with God on a daily basis through studying His Word and praying in the Holy Ghost?
How can a “runner” participate in a race without sufficient food and drink? Without both, they will either collapse from weakness or dehydration. Or just “give up” because the race becomes too difficult.
In the 1984 Summer Olympics, Gabriele Andersen-Schiess was in 2nd place for a large portion of the 26-mile Marathon until, in the final lap inside the Los Angeles Stadium, her body began to fail. But all she saw in front of her was the FINISH LINE.
Here’s a brief video of her experience. In this world of chaos and evil, how far will YOU go to win YOUR race? Will you “follow on” to know the Lord to hear His voice and by so doing … overcome the world?
If you do…
“…ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” (Isaiah 55:12)
Make sure you watch it unto the end.
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