And Knowledge They Achieve...

You probably are not an “Amazing Book” fan (the children’s cartoon that explores the Bible), but the title comes from one of its songs. The song speaks of how people use and read the Bible for different purposes. The lonely find comfort in it. The bored have a diversion. The believer is ushered into the presence of God. And the scholar achieves knowledge.
I am currently reading a book written by a Biblical scholar who is not a Christ-follower. Somehow the words of this Book, which have brought me alive and given me peace with God, seem to be only a fascinating academic exercise for him.
He is me without Christ.
What he learns stays in his head rather than taking root in his heart. What he reads remains on the paper – and changes nothing. What he discovers goes no deeper than the ink instead of infiltrating every aspect of his life.
The author has clearly made the Bible his life’s work but not his life’s book. He has found knowledge of facts and figures but not knowledge of the Truth. He benefits from the principles of wisdom in the pages of Scripture but not from the wisdom of the fear of God. He is stunted spiritually – and mature in cynicism – because even though these Words of Life are before him every day, he has rejected them. And as I realized this, I was distraught for him. For where else can he go (John 6:68)? And then my eyes turned inward. These Words of Life are before me every day, which ones have I rejected in my heart? In my mind? And in my life?
That author is indeed me…but for the grace of God.

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