MORE THAN KNOWING

Knowing about Jesus is not enough. Actions are required to release the knowledge we have of him. Otherwise we may just continue to pile knowledge upon knowledge until we become a biblical balloon. (Did I say balloon, or baboon?)

Even the key scripture verses that supposedly defend the Bible are easy to misread. For example, the well-known text in the Timothy letter tells us, “All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” Taken by itself as a single verse we have the four-fold plan for scripture: teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. It would be easy to say it is “inspired” for this reason, but it would be very misguided to do so. The four purposes of scripture are, “so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The scriptures prepare us to serve in good works, to be equipped to “do,” not to just learn and know. Nothing is learned until it is applied. It remains theory. Scripture theory and constant scripture learning can be the death of application and reality.

In Ephesians, Paul says, “apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are to equip God’s people to do the works of service,” not to just know things and study the scriptures or to receive some kind of religious title, but to know Jesus and to be activated and missional in serving Him in good works. It is always more than just knowing.

“You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they that testify of me. But you are not willing to come to me that you may have life.” Jesus