The Layers of Knowing Christ -- and Eric Nevins on Connecting with God (EP 32)

You might be a long-time Christian like I am. And you might have a problem that goes like this: We know we’re saved by grace, but we struggle to live by grace. We know it but we don’t live it.

I don’t want to speak for everyone, but if you’re someone who is doing a bunch of stuff for God and you feel that it makes your relationship healthy, you know what I mean. We may not come out and say that we’re not living by grace, but our life shows it. And we dry up spiritually because of it.

Well, today you’ll gain insight on how to break free from that mentality and hamster wheel living.

In this episode, we’re going to get out our pickaxe and shovel. We’re going to do some digging together, because we’re about to discover that knowing Christ comes in layers. You’re a performer for Christ, so you like the idea of working at this relationship. Well, it may not be what you think.

So how are you doing in your relationship with God? Is it healthy? How healthy? I’ve developed a Spiritual Self-Assessment that will give you some answers. This self-assessment will take just 3 minutes. It includes some probing questions that will give you the honest truth about your relationship with Christ. Go get it now and take it. It’s free when you go HERE.

I’ve wrestled with the concept of knowing Jesus. It’s gone on for quite some time. For how many years, I am not sure. But I do know that finally grasping this concept has rocked my world. I feel like I have come home. Knowing Jesus is the secret to life. Paul knew it. He stated it.

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Phil 3:8 NIV)

There is richness and depth in that verse.

Knowing Jesus is like digging through several strata of rock and clay. Every strata is well-defined and we discover something new at every level. The Lord doesn’t desire to be known at a distance. He desires close, deep, intimate fellowship with me.

We can know someone on the surface, but until we spend time with that person, we won’t know them deeply. Time with Jesus opens the door for me to know him as he wants me to.

Let’s go back to the rock and clay. We have to dig to get to the next layer and uncover its beauty and uniqueness. This takes time, effort, tenacity. So it is with my relationship with God.

I have to take time. Jesus doesn’t get my leftovers. He gets my best time. 

I have to be tenacious. Is every quiet time with Jesus filled with overflowing blessing? No. There are days when I’m tired, can’t concentrate, dry or preoccupied. That’s life. That’s the reality of relationship. But I come back the next day and seek his face. 

I have to put forth the effort. Hey Jon, you’re getting into performance. No I’m not. Let me explain. Performance Christianity means that my relationship with Christ is defined by my effort. The more I put out, the closer I perceive I am to God.

Will you set aside time to learn something about Jesus every day? Will you pray to your Savior each day? Will you put a circle of protection around hallowed time with him? Don’t let others interrupt. Stow away, if necessary, even in a genuine prayer closet. Guard your fellowship with Jesus. You need it if you intend to know your Savior as he wants to be known.

FEATURED INTERVIEW SEGMENT: ERIC NEVINS

Our guest in this episode has a story to tell. In this midst of that story, you’ll learn how he began connecting with God in a fresh way. You’ll hear how the Word of God became central in that transformation. And you’ll learn about Lectio Divina.

Eric Nevins hosts the podcast Halfway There, where he features Christians who are on the journey. Real people with down-to-earth stories of their walks with Christ. I wanted to talk with Eric about his story and how he has experienced fresh faith. And we talked about performance. One thing I discovered about Eric—there was one book – outside the Bible-- that turned both of our lives around. Listen to my conversation with Eric Nevins.

LINKS AND RESOURCES:

Take the Spiritual Self-Assessment

Join FRESH FAITH 24/7

Explore Eric Nevins' website and his podcast Halfway There.

With, by Skye Jethani

Hearing God, Dallas Willard