If you’ve been a Christian long enough, (or even for a short while), you know how important it is to be in the presence of Jesus.
You’ve probably had people tell you to read the Bible, spend time in prayer, and make it your ambition to carry the presence of God.
The Bible talks about a lot of people who marinated themselves in the presence of God.
Enoch, whose walk with Almighty was so intimate, that he didn’t even die, he was just ‘taken away’.
Moses, who God claimed to speak to as a man spoke to a friend.
David, who loved to sit in the presence of God, which caused his heart to overflow with words and music that turned into the book of Psalms, and many more.
But there was also one other guy who happened to live in His presence…
He walked with God, spoke to God, day in and day out, was chosen by God, was called a friend by God, was given an important position by God.
He witnessed the miracles, heard the teachings every day and even performed miracles himself. He surrounded himself with all the right people, and did the work he was supposed to day after day.
He was filled with awe, and he was one of the people in the Bible who was closest to Almighty God Himself.
He had all of Jesus, the way we all want, or claim to want.
And yet…he betrayed Jesus.
Judas Iscariot, the man who stabbed Jesus in the back with something as intimate as a kiss, betrayed that intimacy, that friendship.
He had all of Jesus, and yet somehow, he had none.
Turns out that is a possibility. Turns out we can read the Bible everyday, claim to pray everyday, lead worship teams, perform miracles, do amazing things for God, surround yourself with all the right people, have a flourishing ministry, and yet, not be open to the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
Matthew 7:19
“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance”, John the Baptist said.
“Bear fruit”
Bear love
Bear joy
Bear peace
Bear patience
Bear kindness, goodness faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Because if you’re not exhibiting these as evidence, if you’re not abiding in Jesus in such a way that you begin to bear this fruit, you may claim to have all of Him, while in reality, having none of Him.
You and I were Judas Iscariots before Jesus rescued us. We have got to make sure that we’re not anymore.
