John 5:39-40 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Galatians 3:24-26 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Praise God for His sacred revelation of Truth. Praise God for His revelation of the origin of the universe and the promise of a new heaven and earth. Praise God for His practical instructions on marriage, family, the church, and so on and so forth. Above all things, praise God for the revelation of His Son, Jesus Christ – our God, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Good Shepherd, our Mediator and Great High Priest.
But let us never forget that the very purpose of the revelation of Jesus Christ in Scripture is that we might come to Him and truly know Him. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3) There is vast difference in knowing about Jesus academically and knowing Him personally. It is possible for a person to know Scripture, quote Scripture, and even debate the Scripture but not know Jesus Christ.
Jesus said that a genuine search of The Scriptures will bring a person to Him. The purpose of Scripture is to reveal Who Jesus Christ is, in order that we might come to know Him, behold Him and worship Him. Picture being in Israel 2,000 plus years ago, and Jesus is holding in His hands a copy of the Scriptures. He then speaks the words recorded above in John 5:39. What would be the correct response? Embracing Him of course. Would you bow before the Scripture with Jesus standing there? Would you worship Scripture with The very Revelation of Scripture standing right there? Would Jesus be impressed if you or I went up to Him and said, “The present indicative tense of these words that you spoke indicate that You are The Messiah.”?
The very breath of God has given us the Scriptures in order that we might come to know The Author and Finisher of our faith. Yes, cherish Scripture, for God magnifies His Word even above His Name (Psalm 138:2b). In glory, we will not be bowing before ink and paper. We will be bowing before The very One Whom Scripture writes about. Worship God, not the bible. Let all that you learn from Scripture bring you to a deeper knowledge of God.
You can stand in the middle of a room that is filled with every translation of Scripture. You may be able to explain languages and syntax. You may be able to quote volumes of Scripture. But the real question is this: Do you really know The Lord Jesus Christ? He gives eternal life. The fruit of The Spirit is not academic knowledge, but the overflow of a real relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ. Selah
Early in my life as a teen I was interested in both science and the Bible. As a result, when I discovered a book by science writer Isaac Asimov called “Asimov’s Guide to the Bible” it seemed to straddle both of my interests so I eagerly bought a copy. It was a long book over 1000 pages, but somehow I took time from my very busy life to read it. I found the book to be thorough, analytical, immersed in ancient history, and a “good read”.
MANY years later, I was reading an article about Asimov which surprised me. He was quoted saying that he was a hard core atheist. Not even an agnostic or a humanist but convinced that there was no God. Why would such a man spend the time and effort writing a scholarly book about something he did not believe? Asimov was a science fiction writer- maybe that was his angle here. I quickly gave up guessing reasons and figured that was his problem. Why should I waste my time?
Today’s devotional reminded me of Asimov and his book. Very scholarly, in depth, but ultimately not supportive of the truths the Bible shares. Highly academic but lacking the ultimate message of the Bible: truly knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Isaac Asimov probably could have quoted the Bible. Explained it with secular facts in historical context. I am sure he marketed his book extensively- bibliolatry for profit. Secular analysis without true knowledge of God. As your devotional points out ultimately it is not about Bible knowledge. It is about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. HE provides us the truth.
Biblical knowledge without knowing Jesus? Buyer beware.
Blessings,
JoseM