10/10/2023
Are we studying and memorizing scripture, and reading Biblically based literature, with the thought that this will make us wise and righteous or give us some increased standing with God? Well my friends, only one thing will work to perfect us in the eyes of God, and that is having the faith and obedience of a child. I would rather do this one small thing perfectly than to pursue a thousand wise and scholarly things while missing the mark of holiness entirely.
“At that time Jesus declared, "I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;”
Matthew 11:25 ESV
Increasing our education in theological matters is a worthwhile pursuit, and being able to quote scripture is useful, but none of that, in and of itself, will get us a step closer to Heaven. There are many learned men and women destined for damnation because, although they have studied the Bible, they don’t understand how to obey it. It isn’t about our knowing, nor our ability to recite the tenets of faith that will save us, no, it is all about our feeling God’s heart with ours, and obeying His voice with the loving acceptance of a child.
In grade school there were rules that were set for us; raise your hand to speak, stay in your seat until dismissed, pay attention to the teacher. These are just examples, and if obeyed you were allowed to remain in class. If, however, you didn’t obey them then you found yourself standing in the hallway, or on your way to the principal’s office.
Our faith is much like this. If first we believe; then we do such things as accepting Jesus as our Lord, and hungrily listening, obeying, and dealing with our sinful nature, and we will be saved. It is only after believing in Jesus, and being redeemed by His blood, that we can pursue the further advancement of other skills such as memorizing Bible verses and studying the intricate nuances of the Word with any spiritual benefit. Only once we have been saved through believing can these other refinements to our faith serve any purpose beyond being academic exercises.
Jesus told us that things were hidden from the wise and knowledgeable, and revealed to little children. He said this because following Him and serving God are not about studying the academics, but are founded in believing in God, and Jesus Christ with all our heart... they are about loving our Heavenly Father without reservation, and to the point of absolute obedience.
Wise men and scholars have written much about what they think the Bible says, and about what certain passages of scripture might mean, but all of those words they write, and their many scholarly musings, are worthless until their hearts have been circumcised and the Word of God is revealed to them by the Spirit. They need to have the faith of children before the Holy Spirit can lead them further into maturity, and will give them understanding. Without this, then the Bible might as well be any other literary work, and these studious scholars will have never actually met Jesus... they will not know Him just as certain as they have never actually met or known Shakespeare.
Once I had mastered the basic rules of the classroom and followed them, not out of reluctant duty but because I had developed a love for what I was learning and wanted to remain in class to learn more, then the rest of my education was possible. Until I had loved and felt like I was a part of what was going on in the school I was doomed to the hallway. I wore out a spot on the floor just outside the door as I stood there day after day contemplating my disobedience. I had an assigned chair in the principal’s office, and the secretary knew me by first name and would simply nod her head at my seat when I walked in. I wasn’t there because I was dumb, or because my grades were bad... I was there because I had disobeyed.
Until we love Jesus Christ like a child, and follow God’s desire in perfect obedience, then all of the rest of our pursuit of salvation is just academic self-indulgence. God would rather that we do the few basic things of faith perfectly than to recite all of the more intricate things, and do them poorly, or not at all. You see, faith isn’t about the cold details, it is about the warm breathing love of God. Isn’t that why Jesus came to save us in the first place? Isn’t that why His blood ran down the rough wood of the cross and pooled on the ground at its foot? Isn’t that why a child can understand what is required of him, and easily grasp what to believe in order to receive salvation? Isn’t that the difference between wrestling with scripture with our minds, and simply trusting and obeying it with all our heart?
So who are we today? Are we scholars who Question and seek God with our minds, or trusting children who love the Lord unquestionably with all our heart?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for revealing your Word to me, but I thank you more for circumcising my heart and preparing me to receive it as a child. I thank you for forgiving me over and over again as I lean on you while perfecting the basic tenets of faith. I thank you for the simple trust and obedience of a child that you placed within me. Father, I love you even though I can’t possibly understand you completely. Forgive me Lord for all those times when I thought that by my own intellectual prowess I could win, or increase, my salvation… by even a thimble full. Your love is beyond my understanding. Your mercy cannot be improved upon by my study and determination. Your grace thrills the innocent boy that I guard selfishly within myself. The child in me grasps who you are and I ask that you restrain the adult within me as he attempts to take control of my relationship with you. Holy Father you love me for no apparent reason, and you love me simply because I am your child... teach me to obey as an innocent boy who grasps and hugs his father’s leg. Place your hand upon my head and say “Let’s try that again” until at last you are pleased with me and my sins are no more. Hear me Holy Father as I sing my simple songs of love to you because I know without a doubt that the lyrics are true when they say such things as “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”
Rich Forbes