4月19日

標　　題： 認識神

經　　節： 你們查考聖經，因你們以為內中有永生；給我作見證的就是這經。然而，你們不肯到我這裡來得生命。（約翰福音五章39∼40節）

查經不會給你永生。你可以背誦整本聖經，及討論聖經學者的研討課題，卻從未經歷聖經的真理。人喜歡書過於書的原作者，實在令人不可思議。書不會當面質詢你的罪，但作者會。你能漠視書，卻很難拒絕那位想要與你溝通的作者。

耶穌時代的法利賽人以為神喜悅他們對聖經的知識，他們能夠引用又長又複雜的經文，且喜愛背誦經文，常一連好幾個小時地研究神的律法。然而，耶穌強烈譴責他們，因為他們雖知律法，卻不認識神。他們以自己的聖經知識為傲，卻拒絕邀請去認識神的兒子。

你能夠想像自己明知神對你此生所有的應許，卻埋頭做其他的事？你可能正要轉向追求那些替代品。那些替代品也不見得是壞事，它們可能包括在教會事奉、做好事，或者讀幾本屬靈書籍。沒有任何基督教活動，可以替代你與耶穌的關係。當使徒保羅把自己所做的每一件「好事」與認識耶穌比較，他把那些好事當作「廢物」（腓立比書三：8）。永遠不要為了有宗教活動就心滿意足，要以創建與耶穌基督個人心靈悸動的成長關係為至寶。

Knowing Christ

"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life." (John 5:39-40)

Bible study will not give you eternal life. You could memorize the entire Bible and be able to discuss minute issues of biblical scholarship and yet fail to experience the truths found in its pages. It is a subtle temptation to prefer the book to the Author. A book will not confront you about your sin, the Author will. Books can be ignored; it is much harder to avoid the Author when He is seeking a relationship with you.

The Pharisees in Jesus’ day thought God would be pleased with their knowledge of His Word. They could quote long, complicated passages of Scripture. They loved to recite and study God’s Law for hours on end. Yet Jesus condemned them because, although they knew the Scriptures, they did not know God. They were proud of their Bible knowledge, but they rejected the invitation to know God’s Son.

Can you imagine yourself knowing all that God has promised to do in your life but then turning to something else instead? You may be tempted to turn to substitutes. These substitutes aren’t necessarily bad things. They might include serving in the church, doing good deeds, or reading Christian books. No amount of Christian activity will ever replace your relationship with Jesus. The apostle Paul considered every “good” thing he had ever done to be “rubbish” when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:8). Never become satisfied with religious activity rather than a personal, vibrant, and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.