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Daily Devotionals
Music For the Soul
THE SOURCE OF THE TRUE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Now we believe, not because of thy (the woman of Samaria) speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Saviour of the world. - John 4:42
All inward knowledge of God, which is the prerogative of every Christian man, is made possible and actual for any of us only by and through the mission, and especially the death, of Jesus Christ our Lord. For therein does He set forth God to be known as nothing else but that supreme suffering and supreme self-surrender upon the Cross ever can do or has done. We know God as He would have us know Him, only when we see Jesus suffering and dying for us; and then adoringly, as one in the presence of a mystery into which he can but look a little way, say that even there and then "he that hath seen that Christ hath seen the Father."
Jesus Christ’s blood, the seal of the Covenant, is the great means by which this promise is fulfilled, inasmuch as in that death He sweeps away all the hindrances which bar us out from the knowledge of God. The great dark wall of my sin rises between me and my Father. Christ’s blood, like some magic drops upon a fortification, causes all the black barrier to melt away like a cloud; and the access to the throne of God is patent, even for sinful creatures like us. The veil is rent, and by that blood we have access unto the holiest of all.
Christ is the Source of this knowledge of God; inasmuch, further, as by His mission and death there is given to the whole world, if it will receive it, and to all who exercise faith in His name, the gift of that Divine Spirit who teaches in the inmost spirit the true knowledge of His Son. To delight in the Law of the Lord is the sure way to know more of the Lord. One act of obedience from the heart will teach us more of God than all the sages can. It is more illuminating simply to do as He willed than to read and think and speculate and study. "If any man wills to do His will, he shall know of the teaching." And mutual possession of God by us, and of us by God, leads to fuller knowledge. To possess God is to love Him; and "he that loveth knoweth God, yea! rather is known of God."
So, do not be content with traditional religion, with a hearsay Christianity. "Acquaint now thyself with Him," and be at peace.
'Music For The Soul' daily readings for a year from the writings of the Rev. Alexander Maclaren, D.D., selected and arranged by the Rev. Geo. Coates, published by A.C. Armstrong and Son, 51 East Tenth Street, (1897). The original text is in the Public Domain and this electronic version is free for anyone without cost or obligation. This a year long daily devotional was written by the Rev. Alexander Maclaren over 100 years ago. This Scottish pastor had a heart to follow Jesus and a love for souls.
