Knowing Christ

"You search the Scriptiures, 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 not memorize the entire Bible and be able to discuss minute issues of bliblical scholarship and yet failt o experience the truths found in its pages. It is a subtle temptaton 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 pleaased with their knowledge of His Word. They could quote long, complicated passages of Scriptures. They loved to recited 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 subsitutes. These subsitutes 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 replae 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 personal, vibrant and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

-Experiencing God Day-by-Day devotional by Henry & Richard Blackaby-

-Dated April 19th-