"Knowledge of" versus "Relationship with"

Based on John 5:39-47

Jesus talks about those who "diligently study the Scriptures because (they) think by them (they) possess eternal life" (v. 39).  But, as my Bible's footnotes say, "Any interpretation of Scripture which does not lead to Christ is an incomplete interpretation."  Christ Jesus said, "These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life (vs. 39-40).  Said people are the type who, as I mentioned in an earlier blog entry, have a profession in Christ, rather than a profession of Christ--or Christ as a career.

Christ says, "I do not accept praise from men" (v. 41).  Now some may get confused at this--"Aren't we to give glory and praise to God?"  Yes.  "Then why does Christ say He doesn't accept such praise?"  Because, the praise He refers to is from those who live according to the flesh, rather than by the Spirit (Romans 8:5).  They stand before others in their own name desiring adulation by seemingly preaching the Word of God.  They gain pleasure from knowledge accumulated through study and the prominence they feel it gives (John 12:43).  Their hearts are self-righteous and the heart is what God weighs, not a man's words or intellect.  The sinful nature is one that cannot please God (Romans 8:8)--this is why Christ states, "I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts.  I have come in my Father's name, but you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name , you will accept him" (vs. 42-43).  Multitudes of teachers, preachers, and laymen stand upon their knowledge of Scripture, yet have no personal connection with Christ Jesus.  They are false Sheppard's. They teach the morality and ethics of Scripture rather than a relationship with Christ.  They have not entered the sheep pen by the gate and have climbed in by some other way--they are thieves and robbers.  Christ is our gate, He is the entrance to which Scripture leads (John10:1-18).  To preach only the "ethics and morality of," excluding Christ as the one and only Savior, is sinful.  If Jesus is our true Sheppard, then our ethics and morality will take care of themselves by way of the Holy Spirit.

The type of persons who fixate upon the Bible's words instead of developing a walk with Christ are deceiving scores of people.  They project a Christianity of knowledge only, compared to Christianity as a personal relationship with the Savior of all mankind, Jesus Christ.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Study and knowledge of Scripture is good, and necessary.  However, as Proverbs 9:10 states, " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."  In other words, reverential awe or wonder produced by the Lord's grandeur and authority is the beginning of what is right and true.  Knowledge of Jesus, or the Holy One (read Psalm 22:3-5), is real knowledge.  Scripture, all of Scripture, is meant to reveal Christ.  If the "study of" gives persons an air of superiority, then their praise before God falls flat.  "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God" (I Corinthians 8:1b-2). 

If the Scripture is to be believed as inerrant and inspired, then our hearts should listen and believe it's content.  The Bible is all about Christ--from cover to cover, from beginning to end.  Study Scripture, but study it to know Jesus--do not study to know more than the other fella, or to prove those who don't believe wrong.  God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) went through a great ordeal to save us.  The cross, death and resurrection should inspire us to love God, to seek Him out, to spend our lives desiring to know Him better.  Scriptures teach that Christ first loved us (John 15:9) and gave Himself for us (John 3:16).  Should this not stir our hearts to love Him rather than simply knowing of Him?