What is a Believer? / Topic: True Spiritual Life

Today’s Reading: Nahum 1; Nahum 2; Nahum 3; John 5

Scripture: John 5:36-40
36 "I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, 38 nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. 39 You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Observation: Jesus says that the works He does (his behavior or actions) testify that He comes from the Father. He goes on to tell the religious leaders of the day that they are not from God (see verse 37,38), nor do they know Him. This is extremely offensive to them because they consider themselves very holy and righteous. After all, they study the scriptures diligently (as even Jesus admits). But Jesus makes it clear that it takes more than a thorough knowledge of the scriptures to possess eternal life. True life happens when our actions line up with the truth of God's Word. Behavior is more important than correct doctrine or Biblical knowledge. Thinking that our knowledge of the Word is what saves us is delusional, lie-based thinking. It's when we allow the Word to affect our behavior that we experience communion with God and know the power of His life within us. There are many people who go to church regularly, tithe, and study the Word who are arrogant, judgmental, and unrepentant. Because they know the Word, they have an attitude of spiritual superiority toward others and go around arguing over true doctrine and "correcting" others while never humbling themselves before God and dealing with their own sinful tendencies. Avoid such people. Truly spiritual people have an evident humility. It's important that we study the Word, but knowing the Word isn't what saves us. Obeying the Word and having it mold our character and behavior is what produces life in us. Knowledge puffs up but love builds up.

Application: Let us be those who study the scriptures diligently for the purpose of aligning our actions with what God would do, not to have a weapon with which to judge others.

Prayer: Father, keep us from taking pride in our knowledge of Your Word. Help us to use it as a mirror to see where we need to change our behavior so that we are more like You. Show us where we have lie-based thinking so that we may rid ourselves of it. We want to honor You not only with our words but with our actions as well.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.