Mark 12:24 “And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God?”
One night a young man who had a bit too much to drink tried to get home by cutting through the fairgrounds near our home. As I say in my living room, I heard a faint cry, “Help… Help…” Upon investigation, I found this young man hanging upside down from the fence that surrounded the property.
He had tired of finding a way out and tried to climb over the fence. The leg of his pants caught on the barbed wire that circled the top, and he fell over, leaving him to hang upside down.
The police were called, and a neighbor fetched a ladder to extract him from the barbed wire. The irony of the whole situation was that there was an open gate just fifty yards from where he tried to exit.
Have you found yourself in an impossible situation only to discover that the answer was much more straightforward than you had seen?
Reading this passage today reminded me of that man and those who struggle in the Christian life, trying to do what God commanded in their flesh only to find that relinquishing our control to God, we see the victory.
Often, we cannot see a way around, through, under, or away from a problem. The frustration of trying exacerbates the situation, and we become despondent. If we aren’t careful, frustration gives way to anger, anger to depression, and depression to bitterness.
When it involves the work of God in our lives, there is nothing God will not command us that He will also enable us to do – if we trust Him and do it His way.
Many of those who claim to be saved today could not give you a Bible reason why, and the devil likes it that way.
Ephesians chapter 6 talks of the Christian’s armor. There are five components that defensive and one for offense.
The Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word, is the only weapon to be used offensively, and the devil knows it. He has been cut by it often and knows he has no way to overcome it. Jesus used that same sword when He was tempted in the desert.
Matthew 4:3-4 “And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
For many, accepting salvation when presented to us was like receiving a fire insurance policy against Hell for all eternity. For some, that is the extent of their biblical knowledge.
They went their way, undiscipled, unchurched, and ignorant of the manifold blessings that accompany salvation.
Hebrews 6:9-10 “But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”
Some may say that not knowing is keeping us from harm. The Bible tells us differently.
Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”
Simply stated, “What you don’t know can kill you.”
If we apply that principle, then knowing the Word of God and becoming a student, we can begin to find the real treasure that exists in its pages. Blessings, promises, statutes, commands, warnings, curses, instructions, and much more are all there for us.
Paul told Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The Bible is to be read, studied, meditated on, and memorized. It is used to shine light upon our lives, give instruction in the roles and responsibilities of life, and prepare us for Heaven.
There is not a subject, situation, or circumstances that God does not give us wisdom and clarity to handle. But, we must be seekers of truth. We cannot remain satisfied knowing more than a few or more than most.
The life of every child of God is filled with learning experiences that continually reveal God, His love, and His character to us. I have known Him for over thirty years. Every year has been filled with revelations of who He is, what He can do, and what He can do through me if I but yield to Him.
The Christian life is interactive and interdependent. We must be wholly and totally dependent upon God but actively doing what He called and commanded us to do.
In the end, remaining ignorant of God will hurt us eternally. Take up your Bible today and pray, “Father, would you reveal more of who you are to me today?” I truly believe He will answer that prayer.
Daily Manna 