Head Knowledge III

What is the purpose of the Bible? It is filled with stories, facts, history, poetry. When you read it, digest it, learn it; what should be the result? The result for some is doctrine or religious systems or creeds. The result for others is simply to learn the rules of a rule book. It is a list of the do’s and don’t’s that make one pleasing to God if you could keep them all. Let me suggest that these are the lesser pursuits, and that those who are rewarded by God are those who find HIM as a result. "...he rewards those who sincerely seek HIM." (Heb. 11:6 NLT Emphasis mine). While God through out history had revealed His will for man through many different means, it was the incarnation of Jesus that showed us the nature and heart of God in the flesh. As we noted in yesterdays post, God’s intent and purpose for His chosen ones was for them to become like His Son. "Can you think of a greater gift than to be like Jesus? Christ felt no guilt; God wants to banish yours. Jesus had no bad habits; God wants to remove yours. Jesus had no fear of death; God wants you to be fearless. Jesus had kindness for the diseased and mercy for the rebellious and courage for the challenges. God wants you to have the same... He wants you to be just like Jesus." Max Lucado. When we read the scripture we are encountering God. Its message draws us to Him. The closer we get the more evident our need for Him becomes. Eventually our hearts and lives are turned over to Him. The result? "But whenever someone turns to the lord, the veil is taken away. For the lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." II Cor. 3:16-18 NLT. Stop and read those verses again—please! I believe that these verses are among some of the most powerful in all of Scripture. When we read, digest, and learn the scripture, it brings freedom to become like Jesus. How different that understanding is from the one I grew up with. We can encounter the Bible as a book of knowledge to be learned, and come away with knowledge. We can encounter the Bible as a book that reveals the heart of God, and come away with a new heart.