“Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” (John 5:39) What a verse! Jesus is saying that you believe reading the scriptures will lead you to eternal life yet, you don’t believe in the very one they are talking about. Some would have you think that only people of ancient times could make that mistake. Or, rather, we would like to think that.
It’s like getting the cart before the horse. It would make more sense to believe in the One the scriptures are about and then read the scriptures. What’s really disheartening is they believed that studying the scriptures led to eternal life. Just how many of today’s church-goers immerse themselves in Bible study and have no real encounter with Jesus? Going through the motions and hoping this this will be enough.
Sad to say but somehow, they believe the same as these earlier folks did. Reading further in the same text, verse 45, Jesus states that even Moses will accuse them of not believing. There’s a reference for that, Deuteronomy 18:18,19. Moses himself spoke of a Prophet (Jesus) being raised up to speak God’s Word. It goes on to say that those who will not hearken (listen) to his words will be called to account.
Really. Think about it. It’s easier to just study the Bible and live in this world. No real commitment there. Live like a good person and congratulate each other for being such a good guy, a good neighbor. Give each other all the accolades and just skip the praise God part. The only thing is eternal life goes with believing. John 3:16 says that “…whosoever believeth in him (Jesus, his only begotten Son) should not perish but have everlasting life.”
People are missing the boat. Just like in Noah’s day. People go about their daily lives thinking that they have everything covered. Pay the bills, check, go to work, check, take care of the family, check, go to church, check, read the Bible, check. Reach out to God, pray for salvation, implore God to make you a member of his family. Like John 5:47 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
It’s like getting the cart before the horse. It would make more sense to believe in the One the scriptures are about and then read the scriptures. What’s really disheartening is they believed that studying the scriptures led to eternal life. Just how many of today’s church-goers immerse themselves in Bible study and have no real encounter with Jesus? Going through the motions and hoping this this will be enough.
Sad to say but somehow, they believe the same as these earlier folks did. Reading further in the same text, verse 45, Jesus states that even Moses will accuse them of not believing. There’s a reference for that, Deuteronomy 18:18,19. Moses himself spoke of a Prophet (Jesus) being raised up to speak God’s Word. It goes on to say that those who will not hearken (listen) to his words will be called to account.
Really. Think about it. It’s easier to just study the Bible and live in this world. No real commitment there. Live like a good person and congratulate each other for being such a good guy, a good neighbor. Give each other all the accolades and just skip the praise God part. The only thing is eternal life goes with believing. John 3:16 says that “…whosoever believeth in him (Jesus, his only begotten Son) should not perish but have everlasting life.”
People are missing the boat. Just like in Noah’s day. People go about their daily lives thinking that they have everything covered. Pay the bills, check, go to work, check, take care of the family, check, go to church, check, read the Bible, check. Reach out to God, pray for salvation, implore God to make you a member of his family. Like John 5:47 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.”
