You search the Scriptures, for in them
you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But
you are not willing to come to Me that you may 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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