What Does It Mean to 'Enjoy' God?
A number of days ago, we discussed 'How
To Discover Your Purpose In 15 Minutes Or Less'. Do you
remember? If you missed that topic, you may click on the title
and read it before proceeding with the current discussion. Because
they are tied together.
In that conversation, we stated that the primary purpose of
human beings is 'to enjoy God and to glorify him'. But the question
is, 'What does it mean to 'enjoy God? I will attempt to share
with you in this segment what I understand that to mean. But
I am also open to receiving your perspective on the issue.
There are about four things we are instructed in the bible
to 'taste'. And if you recall, to 'taste', among other things,is
an archaic word for 'to enjoy' to appreciate' (Dictionary.com).
So, let's take a look at these four commands in scripture to
taste or to enjoy. We are enjoined to taste:
The Lord ( Psalm 34: 8; 1 Peter 2: 3)
The Word of God ( Psalm 119: 103; Hebrews 6: 5)
The Powers to come ( Hebrews 6: 5)
The Heavenly gift ( Hebrews 6: 4)
Of the four, we shall focus on tasting the Lord today. In subsequent
posts, we shall examine the other three on after the other.
Let's begin by looking at both verses.
'Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him' - Psalm 34: 8
'if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious' - 1 Peter
2: 3
Both scriptures seem to suggest that it is possible to 'taste'
or enjoy the Lord. The word 'taste', we are told is from the
Greek word, 'geuomai', which means to 'have experience of'.
It is variously translated to 'eat' or to 'taste' all through
scriptures.
OK, enough of the Greek talk; what does it mean to have a taste
of the Lord here and now, each and every day? It means to experience
the Lord on a regular basis. That is the supreme call of man,
and the chief goal of Christianity. It is possible, nay, indispensable
to true faith, for us to have an experience of the person and
character of God.
Jesus said so Himself in very clear terms. "And this is
eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and
Jesus Christ whom You have sent"- John 17:3. Eternal life
is 'knowing' the Godhead. Again, the word translated to 'know'
in that verse simply means to experience, to encounter in an
intimate, personal way. This is how the Amplified bible puts
it: "And this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive,
recognize, become acquainted with, and understand) You, the
only true and real God, and [likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as
the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah), Whom You have sent."
Can it be any clearer?
Let's recap a bit. The chief goal of human beings is to enjoy
God and to glorify him. To enjoy God means to taste the Lord,
to encounter the wonder of his person, not once in a life-time,
but on an on-going level. To experience him, and prove for ourselves
that he is good and gracious. To come to understand God and
his unique ways. To be able to experience something of his divine
nature and joy as we interact with him closely. To walk with
HIM until we begin to grasp a little of the intricate wonders
of his person.
No wonder, the Bible used the word, taste. Yes, we can only
have a taste of him on this side of eternity. But someday, at
the end of the age, and at entrance of his full reign, we shall
know and enjoy him in full.
I am going to end this discussion here( it's getting too Long,
right?). But may I invite you to express your desire to taste
more of Him and his goodness as Paul did?
"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that
I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted
with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders
of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may
in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His
resurrection [[b]which it exerts over believers], and that I
may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed
[in spirit into His likeness even] to His death..." - Philippians
3: 10- 11; Amplified.
What joy, what blessing , what grace we shall know if only
that we may 'progressively become more deeply and intimately
acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding
the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly".
That is life at it's best; the chief goal of us all, and the
source of unspeakable joy.
If any of these writings bless you, feel free to post
a comment or share a testimony with us. Others may be blessed
by your testimony or comment. And feel free to contact us anytime.
Our genuine desire is to assist you in your search for meaning
and joy.
Visit DiscoverPurpose
blog for more.
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