Those who are in Christ are each partakers of the Bread of Life; John 6.   When we take and eat we are participating in the Lord; Matt 26:26.  His Word is the Light of Truth and is Jesus (John1) and God commands that we hear Jesus; Mark 9:7. This kind of hearing is not by our physical ears but from an inward source.  We cannot hope to even see the Kingdom of God let alone live in the Kingdom of God without this source and that is the Holy Spirit of God and what it means to be born again; John 3.

In contrast, the Lord convicts the unregenerate world with His Word.  He allows them to hear from outside of themselves.  Though they do not yet have the Spirit in them they can hear the truth of His Word.  Upon hearing the Word and being convicted of their sin, of God’s righteousness and His judgment (John 16:5-11) some turn to the Lord and believe, but it is the ones who go on – in Christ – who enter and receive the Holy Spirit. See these posts for more on the meaning to be ‘in Christ’. Jesus describes what the basis is to be in Christ in the parable of the sower.  When the seed (God’s Word) falls on the right and ready heart the seed is able to take root and grow to bear much fruit.

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. Luke 8:15. 

The life of a Christian is one of intimacy with the Lord.  With earthly relationships, they require our persistence and much more our relationship with the Lord.  Salvation is not the means or end but a Person.  God made a way for us, mere mortals to commune with Him through His Son. Some treat the work of the cross as a free pass into eternal bliss – this is an insult to the Lord we claim to believe.  The work of the cross made a way for us to get to know the one and true God who is God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ by His Holy Spirit IN US!   How many have been given a ‘backstage pass’ to meet their favorite singer or band and do not jump at a one-to-one encounter?   Or what groom would not wish to remove the veil of his bride to behold her beauty and further still not take his bride and enjoy her by learning who she is on a deeper level?  This is the life of the saint of God.  To be joined together in His Body we must identify Jesus Christ as our head not only in word but also in deed.  Our Christian life is to be experiential.  This does not mean we seek out experiences but instead, we experience Christ as we abide in His Vine (John 15) through surrender and obedience IN participation with His Word.

We may be surrounded by godly ministers and wonderful friends full of His glory and still be empty of God Himself.  Yes, we need to be in fellowship with lovers and followers of the Lord and seek out teachers of the same but let us not put them in place for the Holy Spirit in us!

Jesus warned us of those who will think they are His simply because they hung around Him;  Luke 13:25-27.  He also warned us about those who were even dressed and waiting for His return failed to be included in His celebration; Matt 25:1-13.  

The Light of Truth must burn in us with the oil of His Spirit for it to be our own.  Do not settle for anything else!  Do not only look for truth but let the Truth dwell in you so you also may have a supply to give to others! Seek and don’t give up until You have found this!

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13