Daily Reflections, Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Today's Scripture: 1 Peter 2:2-5; 1 Thessalonians 3:10

We all know that Bible study is an essential part of the Christian life. Yet it is possible to know the Word of God inside and out and yet not really know the God of the Word. There are many biblically knowledgeable Christians who have yet to take their spiritual pursuits to the next level.

The Pharisees and other leading religious leaders in Jesus day were experts at the law. They knew every commandment, jot, and tittle. They knew when someone violated code B, subsection 8, paragraph 3. And yet they missed the most important aspect of the Old Testament. They missed the revelation of God to His people and the prophecies that pointed to the coming Messiah. Here God was on their turf and they took Him for a blasphemer and rabble-rouser.

But wait. Before you get too harsh with Jesus’ contemporaries, consider yourself for a moment. Are you Pharisaical in your doings? Do you tend to define people by what they do and don’t according to your standards? And most importantly, do you pride yourself on your Bible knowledge or do you humbly walk with God, allowing Him to shape your life?

These are tough questions, but remember, it’s not enough to know the Word of God. We must learn to know the God of the Word.

Today's Quote:  Some read the Bible to learn. Some read the Bible to hear from Heaven. —Andrew Murray