"There is a difference between having an opinion, that God is holy and gracious, and having a sense of the loveliness and beauty of that holiness and grace. There is a difference between having a rational judgment that honey is sweet, and having a sense of its sweetness...there is a difference between believing that a person is beautiful, and having a sense of his beauty. The former may be obtained by hearsay, but the latter only by seeing the countenance."
-Jonathan Edwards, from A Divine and Supernatural Light
Oh, Edwards. You're the man.
Essentially, this sermon expands on the awesome gift of spiritual illumination. That is precisely what I desire as I read Scripture and pray: the knowledge which pierces straight to my soul, brought by God's Spirit and not my own efforts. The glad consciousness of His "loveliness and beauty," the inexpressible joy which comes from that knowledge...a heartfelt conviction and not just an intellectual assent. As we all dive into another crazy week, may He bless each of us with that magnificent evidence of grace! May we know Him deeply and constantly, and may we never tire of His glorious presence.
Amen. Well said Mr. Edwards (and Rebekah). Thank you for sharing this and for sharing your heart. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDelete~Mrs. Baker