The Bible: Religion or Relationship?

I love the Lord's interchanges with the religious rulers of His day, the Pharisees.  Jesus always cuts to the heart of every issue of life, every point of the Law that these religionists would bring up. Perhaps one of my favorites is the encounter described in the gospel of John, chapter 5.  In the midst of "discussion" about Jesus' claims of relationship with His Father, we find this surprising "jewel" tucked away in the discourse:

 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. John 5:39-40 ESV

Wow! I remember the first time I really got this!  I began to realize that even though we Christians have come to Christ for eternal life initially ("salvation"), we  can live our lives as if Bible reading and study, in and of themselves, are what gives us a greater experience of that "life." We can treat the Bible above the Lord Himself, if we are not careful.

But here's the truth:

All...yes, all...of the Scriptures points to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Father's All.  And we come to HIM to experience LIFE!

Paul said it well,

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ... Galatians 3:24 NASB

And even as believers, the Scriptures expound Christ to us so that we can know Him in ever increasing measure.  Along with Paul we can exclaim,

I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead! ...Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8-10 NLT

So as promised in yesterday's post, here are just a very few of the precious Scriptures that point to our Christ.  Our brother, Watchman Nee, has saturated his writings with the truths of Scripture concerning our glorious Lord Jesus Christ.

Take a few moments today and meditate on these gems (many of which are familiar) which are tucked away in the short excerpt of Christ, the Sum of All Spiritual Things.

Our Jesus is...

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power... Hebrews 1:2 ESV

For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. Colossians 2:9-10 ESV

And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV

If you are journaling, add your own Christ-centered favorites.  And if you care to, comment and add them in below...we would love to share them with you so that...

...in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18c ESV

 For a good read, visit High Calling, What Does it Mean that Jesus Came to Fulfill Scripture

 

Ancient Words

Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart,for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16

reading the Bible
reading the Bible

I love these words of Jeremiah.  God's Word is "so delicious," as my friend Penny would say.  I consume it as my daily manna.

My Love Language is "words."  So when God's Word is "highlighted" by the Holy Spirit to my heart, I feel loved.  That's when I experience Jesus' words to be true again and again:

My sheep [continue to] hear My voiceand I know them and they [continue to] follow me. John 10:27

Imagine my delight then this morning at worship, joining with orchestra, choir, and congregation to sing this most celebratory of songs.  Perhaps you would like to join in, thanking God for His loving gift of the Word.

ANCIENT WORDS

Holy words long preserved for our walk in this world, They resound with God's own heart. Oh let the ancient words impart

Words of Life, words of Hope Give us strength, help us cope In this world, where e'er we roam Ancient words will guide us Home.

CHORUS: Ancient words ever true Changing me and changing you, We have come with open hearts Oh let the ancient words impart

Holy words of our Faith Handed down to this age Came to us through sacrifice Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved For our walk in this world. They resound with God's own heart Oh let the ancient words impart.

CHORUS We have come with open hearts Oh let the ancient words impart

Bible
Bible

"We thank Thee, O our Speaking God, for Your amazing gift of communication to us Your children...through the Living Word, our Lord Christ and through Your written word, the Scriptures."