1.The Importance Of Knowing God's Ways - Zac Poonen
Understanding God's Ways
Summary
The central message is that human ways, including traditions and self-reliance, are insufficient compared to God's ways, as stated in Isaiah 55:8. The speaker warns against letting cultural traditions or natural abilities (like intelligence or music) hinder one's relationship with God, emphasizing that the flesh must be completely crucified. True understanding requires profound respect for God, characterized by waiting for Him when He is near.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why we need to understand God's waysThe ways we learn from parents, society, and even unbiblical Christian traditions are not God's ways, and these traditions act like chains hindering our spiritual progress.Isaiah 55:8
The deceitfulness of the fleshEven after being born again, believers still have a flesh with deceitful lusts that attempts to offer good human abilities to God, just like Saul offering the good sheep of Amalek.
Respecting God and not making Him waitSeeking the Lord requires profound respect and waiting on God immediately rather than making Him wait for our convenience, which reflects a lack of fear of God.
Forsaking unrighteous ways and thoughtsMany believers ask how close they can get to the world without losing salvation, revealing an unrighteous mindset that must be forsaken for God's compassion and pardon.
God's ways are infinitely higher than human waysThe difference between God's ways and man's ways is infinite, and financial unrighteousness or debt can prevent believers from walking in His power.
The Holy Spirit reveals the wonderful things God has preparedGod gives us His Holy Spirit so that we can know the deep thoughts of God rather than pursuing superficial earthly desires.
God hides these things from the clever and intelligentJesus thanked the Father for hiding spiritual truths from clever intellectuals and revealing them instead to little babies who humbly trust Him.Matthew 11:25
How God views earthly kingdoms versus how man views themWhile human beings view worldly empires as precious gold and silver, God views them as corrupt beasts driven by self-seeking animal nature.
Avoiding the Pharrisee trap of correct doctrine without God's waysEven with correct doctrines and a clean external life, a person can still be a Pharisee who rejects Christ if they fail to understand God's ways and thoughts.
