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Discussion Forum : Scriptures and Doctrine : MANIFEST PRESENCE

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Onesimus4God
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Joined: 2006/1/16
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 MANIFEST PRESENCE

Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

I've posted this text over and over and over again. There is just so much to ponder here. But the word that reached out to me just now, is the word "manifest". It is an extremely important, yet much overlooked word today. We just read on by it and hardly pay it any mind at all. But the promise to the obedient is phenomenal. Why is that?
Lets look at this word together. First the Strong's Concordance definition - G1718
ἐμφανίζω
emphanizō
em-fan-id'-zo
From G1717; to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words): - appear, declare (plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify.
Now as I understand this, HE is saying that the arrival of HIS presence within the "believer" is quite evident both to the believer and to those who know him/her, before and after repentance unto salvation.
We had a young woman from our congregation at the time who visited us. She was distraught with the worldliness of her husband. I asked her did she feel he was really born again. She said, "oh yes, he's just not manifesting it yet". In love I told her that if there was no change, no manifestation, there is no evidence of CHRIST within him. 🙁
Manifest - Manifest To make openly known; appear. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was MANIFEST in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1 Timothy 1:1 Genesis 3:16) KJV Bible Dictionary
So what is the promise to us from John 14:21 today? Will we see HIM in the flesh once genuine new birth occurs in our heart? Could be. But not likely until HE comes again. With that said, it should be quite obvious that the promise is to reveal HIMself within the heart of the truly repentant believer, in such a way that this presence is more than a claim of FAITH. It is an evident reality that brings about a DIVINE change in the entire persona of an individual life.

Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

If at HIS own DIVINE discretion, HE chooses to work within us, how can this be hidden for the present state of consciousness and evident to our minds, our hearts, and the natural senses of man?
How dare preachers and teachers claim that conversion is by faith only? A "decision for CHRIST" that does not result in EVIDENT change of heart, life action and desire, is as FAKE as a $3 bill.
Friend, when HE moves in and tabernacle's with us, there is unmistakable change and awareness that comes with HIS presence.
I was in a service one time, in a large congregation. An "invitation" was given at the conclusion. Probably 30 or more people went forward, as most of the congregation was searching for the exits. I am not sure why I was drawn to notice this one fellow. But from a distance he seemed to be completely overwhelmed and sobbing. He also seemed to go almost unnoticed by those "altar works" that were attempting to minister to the group. They seemed to have a protocol to administer, and that was their focus.
When we left after visiting with some friends, I went to the Men's Restroom. And there was this same fellow in there, trying to gather himself up and regain some resemblance of composure. He was still weeping and sobbing, mucous running from his nose. He had paper towels but was not making much progress. So I went up to him and tried to make him understand that his personal experience was validated in his being overcome by the MANIFEST PRESENCE of YESHUA WITHIN. I cautioned him to safeguard this gift he had just been given, as church people would likely try to invalidate this living reality within him. Since my family was waiting, I had to leave him there. But I will never forget those precious moments, quite parallel to my own experience.
So today, my mind again wanders. How can HE cleanse and move into the heart of man, and yet there is no natural awareness of any kind of change within? I cannot understand how anyone could attempt to teach such a thing........ yet they do. How sad. How deceptive. Pitiful. Pity the man who knows not the giver of life.


_________________
Lahry Sibley

 2022/9/18 11:14Profile





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