Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and my Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. Living in intimacy with the Father where the godhead makes an individual life their abode is the most peaceful and delightful experience anyone can have. Jesus was an example during His earthly ministry; He did not only teach what it means to live secure in God’s presence, but He lived the case. His peaceful and victorious living did not occur because the world embraced everything about Him, His birth was not with a silver spoon experience; people jeered at Him despite all the exploits He performed on earth, His motivation was still to do good, heal the sick, make a difference in lives, and was never to live like the Joneses. The rejection of society was never an obstacle to accomplishing His purpose on earth and making an impact.
What were His secrets?
Jesus showed us the example of victorious living and intimacy with God. He promised to leave His peace with us not as the world offers, but the peace of God, which is beyond understanding. The pursuit of every venture man makes is for ways to secure comfort, relaxation, and live happily ever after. Unfortunately, mankind’s search for these things alone has not afforded him peace. We can now relate when Jesus said, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world, and the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abides forever” (1John 2:15-17).
Does Jesus ask us not to embrace the beautiful things and wisdom God has placed on the earth?
No! The life Jesus teaches us to live is a life style that reflects firstly the love for the father, where every step we take reflects His will, and everything else takes shape within this principle. Then Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Let’s reflect a little on how Jesus showed this example: Before starting His ministry, Jesus was baptized, after which he went into seclusion to pray and fast for 40 days and forty nights. At the end of His fast, the devil tempted Jesus by offering him some bounties in exchange for Jesus pursuing His calling. Jesus, at the time of the temptation, was already charged with the Holy Ghost and power, and succeeded in shoving off the devil and His seductive attractions contrary to the will and work of God. As we read the book of the gospels, we can identify many instances Jesus retreated early in the morning, before, and after a long crusade, before the crucifixion and its trials to spend time with the father in prayer. His success proved the efficacy of these secrets to walking with God. ”For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;” (1Peter 2:21-23).Jesus overcame anything coming in between Him and the Father through constant communication with God in prayer, and was able to control the lust of the eyes and flesh. When we live disciplined to follow Jesus’ example in living the Father’s will through the Word and prayer, the Spirit of God in us controls our desires to love only the things God delights in; and we enjoy the secrets of intimacy in God. Living a prayerful life is an essential ‘for a victorious Christian living. Also, as we read and familiarize ourselves with the Word, we get to understand how to express more secrets in prayer.
Enjoy this song of prayer on YouTube through the link below.