4/9/2021
Have I Seen Him?
By Oswald Chambers
“After that He appeared in another form unto two of them.” — Mark 16:12
Being saved and seeing Jesus are not the same thing. Many are partakers of God’s grace who have never seen Jesus. When once you have seen Jesus, you can never be the same, other things do not appeal as they used to do.
Always distinguish between what you see Jesus to be, and what He has done for you. If you only know what He has done for you, you have not a big enough God; but if you have had a vision of Jesus as He is, experiences can come and go, you will endure, “as seeing Him Who is invisible.” The man blind from his birth did not know Who Jesus was until He appeared and revealed Himself to him. Jesus appears to those for whom He has done something; but we cannot dictate when He will come. Suddenly at any turn He may come — “Now I see Him!”
Jesus must appear to your friend as well as to you; no one can see Jesus with your eyes. Severance takes place where one and not the other has seen Jesus. You cannot bring your friend unless God brings him. Have you seen Jesus? Then you will want others to see Him too. “And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them.” You must tell, although they do not believe.
O could I tell, ye surely would believe it!
O could I only say what I have seen!
How should I tell or how can ye receive it,
How, till He bringeth you where I have been?
I read this today in “My Utmost For His Highest.” Highly recommended. This is what it is all about. This is my life. Oh, just to see Him! Every day I need to see Him anew! To taste and see of the glory that He freely gives to me. Y’all, if your idea of God is simply from what you’ve read in the Bible or books, or if it is only from what others have told you in conversation and church- ask yourself: “Have I seen Him?” Has He told you who He is? Have you allowed Him to be bigger than your understanding or experience?
Today, less than 6% of Generation Z claims Christianity, and Gen Z is all about authenticity and finding identity. I’m about to say something controversial. I think this is in the best interest of the Church. You see, those who’ve claimed it are the ones who have seen Him. They know Him. And those who walked away did so because they knew deep down that tradition and rules are not what brings life. Jesus says to the Church in Laodicea in Revelation 3, “I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.”
Church, for us to be effective as a Body for the Kingdom, we need to be seeking His face for ourselves! We need to know deep in our spirit the communion of Christ! We need that fire of love! If He is not your All in All, then what is? The Church will be able to grow up into the head of Christ when we are planted in good soil. Let us remove all rocks and weeds and be planted by living water. Then the way we walk will be a testament to our salvation.
I’m currently in Costa Rica with C Squad! We got here a little over a week ago and it’s been a wild ride. We’re living in the jungle near the Atlantic Ocean and Panama! There have already been some amazing testimonies of evangelism to the locals and the tourists in the beach town close to us. Continue to pray for us as we walk into the last months of this journey and continue to cultivate a deeper dependence on God. He has allowed us to walk in so much spiritual authority and the fruit of this squad has been seen by many. Glory to God! May we continue to seek to know Him and being known by Him. Amen.
Philip, Amen – may the way we walk will be a testament to our salvation. Thanks for sharing and the reminder to be seeking Jesus’ work and love continually in my heart and life so as to be on fire in and for Him! I want to know Him more!
What a thought provoking read. Asking the question “Have I seen Him?” requires a personal response. A recognition that “I” have had an interaction with God. It’s not enough to say I know of Him but rather I have had an encounter with and continue to seek daily a relationship with my Heavenly Father. Thanks for sharing this Phil! Praying for you all as you’re in COsta Rica!