John 8:

• How well do we know the “words” of Jesus? It seems that many rely on sound-bite, bumper sticker snippets of verses and verse-like sounding phrases and say “I know Jesus’words.” Unfortunately, this is the same approach that Satan takes with the Word of God. (see Mt. 4) Not only this, but many charlatan televangelists take the same approach to “knowing” the Word of God. Do we know better? Can we tell the difference? This is not an “I read once…” familiarity with God’s Word, but a consistent and prayerful engagement with it.
• There are still others who say “I love Jesus and that is enough.” Is it?! Loving a name is hardly the same as loving a person. When you say “Jesus”, do you mean things that are in opposition to his words and ways? Jesus says, “If God were your Father, you would love me.” (vs. 42) But what does this look like? Just a few verses earlier Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,” (vs. 31) Then, a few verses later Jesus says negatively, “Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (vs. 47)
• So, I return to where I started. How well do you know your Bible? Yes, we can love principles without loving a person. But the reverse is at least as detrimental; we can love a concept of a person that does not resemble what is true, what is real. It’s only when we love the true Jesus, proclaimed in the Bible, that “[we] will know the truth, and the truth will set [us] free.” (vs. 32)

Holy Spirit, don’t let me ever tire of seeking Jesus via the Word of God. Let speaking to You through the Bible be a greater priority than food.

VERSE 37 was key in helping me see the vital significance of the Bible.