Leading Word
Ephesians 1:18
I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. ‘
2 Kings 5:10-14
But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy.”
Romans 7:15-25
In 2 Kings 5:10-14, the story of Naaman, a Syrian commander, highlights how pride and preconceived notions can hinder us from knowing and experiencing God. Naaman initially resisted Elisha’s simple instruction to wash in the Jordan River to be healed of his leprosy because it seemed too humble and beneath his status. His reluctance almost prevented him from receiving the healing he sought. This illustrates how our expectations and pride can be barriers to accepting the simple, sometimes humble, ways God works in our lives.
Romans 7:15-25, on the other hand, delves into the internal struggle with sin that can hinder our relationship with Christ. Paul describes his own experience of wanting to do good but finding himself doing the opposite because of the sin living within him. This passage highlights the human condition of struggling with sin and how it can prevent us from fully knowing and living for Christ. Paul concludes with the acknowledgment that deliverance from this struggle comes through Jesus Christ, pointing to the need for divine help in overcoming the internal barriers to knowing Him.
The 3 hindrances to Knowing Christ
1. Flesh
- What I want to do is not what I do…Rom.7:15
- Fresh and spirit are always in contention, Gal5:17 and 1 Cor. 9:27
2. Status:
- Your position in life like Naama 2 Kings 5:10-14, v14 So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!
- Status yields pride and being full of yourself. In James 4:6 … God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Spiritual immaturity Gal. 5:22-23 …. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things. We mature spiritually when we get to the Fruits of the spirit is through maturity. - Mathew 16:24…. Deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me. v24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me
3. Inner blindness /Deafness
Here are Biblical examples of inner blindness and also deafness
- 2Kings6:17… Elisha and Gehazi…. v17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
Ephesians 1:18…v18 I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. ‘ - Deafness – The call of Samuel- 1 Samuel 3: 1- 9, v9 ‘So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So, Samuel went back to bed. ‘
- The faint voice in Ezekiel 22:31
- Job 42:5-6 New Living Translation (NLT)
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my eyes. I take back everything I said and sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
Conclusion
We can witness Christ effectively if we know him. We need to tell God to touch us again, just like in the song. Paul concludes his life and ministry with confidence, very assured, without any doubt…. 2Tim. 4:6-8, As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. V7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. V8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearance.
Elder Amos Mwangi Karoki
