Knowing Jesus and knowing Jesus...

It's amazing how most of my training runs become a time to discern God's Will. Perhaps it is the quietness and lack of distractions (no cell phones, no internet). A time where I can freely wonder, reflect and ponder about things..

During lunch time today, a brother suggested that he should get cracking on reading again.

When someone wants to know Christ....what's the most common answer....I would say..read a book. Even I am tempted to tell someone ..go read a book. Or here's a good book.

And from my previous post, I am frustrated b/c I talk more than I act.

In the Great Commission, Jesus said we are to go out and make disciples.

And so I was wondering...perhaps the best thing to be closer to Christ is to participate in His grace. Put it simply, be Jesus in someone's life.

I wonder what would Jesus be more impress, the fact that I read 100 books about Him..or the fact that I go out and try to make disciples?

The best way to know Jesus, to find out who He is, it is when we become like Him.

When we become a responsible and ethical employee in the workplace. When we have strong family ties and mends broken relationships. When we care for those who are lost and ignored by society. When we give compassion who is hurt and give grace to those who doesn't deserve it.

Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2..

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual^[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In verse 1, he is talking about offering our bodies (physical) as a living sacrifices...then he lead sit to renewing of the mind.

What I am saying is that...to renew the mind, it is more than just reading a book or books. It is like riding a bike. I can give you instructions on how to ride a bike. But unless someone gets on the bike and ride it. And in the process of falling a few times. They then know how to ride a bike.

This is why I see everything I do or don't do is spiritual...it is not just physical.

The question I ask myself is..do I "know" Jesus...or do I know Jesus...And sometimes it is not about reading more but doing more....not doing for salvation..as we know it is through faith we are saved. Rather the 'work' is the outflow of knowing Jesus and through 'work' we are able to know more about Him and His Will for us...