You
diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess
eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me,
yet you refuse to come to me to have life. John 5:39-40
Bible study will not give you
eternal life. You could memorize the entire Bible and be able to discuss minute
issues of biblical scholarship and yet fail to experience the truths found in
its pages. It is a subtle temptation to prefer the book to the Author. A book
will not confront you about your sin, the Author will. Books can be ignored; it
is much harder to avoid the Author when He is seeking a relationship with you.
The Pharisees in Jesus’ day thought God would be pleased with their knowledge
of His Word. They could quote long, complicated passages of Scripture. They
loved to recite and study God’s Law for hours on end. Yet Jesus condemned them
because, although they knew the Scriptures, they did not know God. They were
proud of their Bible knowledge, but they rejected the invitation to know God’s
Son.
Can you imagine yourself knowing
all that God has promised to do in your life but then turning to something else
instead? You may be tempted to turn to substitutes. These substitutes aren’t
necessarily bad things. They might include serving in the church, doing good
deeds, or reading Christian books. No amount of Christian activity will ever
replace your relationship with Jesus. The apostle Paul considered every “good”
thing he had ever done to be “rubbish” when compared to the surpassing value of
knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Never become satisfied with religious activity
rather than a personal, vibrant, and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
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