February 14
Bible Reading: John 7:14-24
John 7:17, “If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.”
It was some forty-three years ago. I was a submarine sailor, doing the things that submarine sailors do. I knew nothing of the Bible or about Jesus. But family members were praying for me, and I was becoming increasingly aware of my sin problem. I sensed that there was a God but assumed that I was beyond forgiving. I attended some churches, looking for answers, but not much of what was taught made any sense to me. Some shipmates started attending a church in Kailua, and they had met some nice girls there, so one Sunday I decided to join them. The pastor was preaching about the resurrection of Jesus and afterwords I conjured up the courage to ask him how he could know for sure that Jesus was real. He said something about how Jesus had changed his life, so I filed that at away in my mind. After the service, a fellow I didn’t know approached me and asked me if I’d ever trusted in Jesus for salvation. I mumbled some response that I can’t now recall, he then went on to clearly share the gospel with me. That caused me to do some thinking. Some days later, I knelt on an Oahu beach and prayed, expressing my faith in Jesus, and asking for Him to save me. Two things changed for me on that day. I sensed the joyous relief of my huge burden of guilt being lifted away. Secondly, I discovered from that day forward that I could make sense of the Scriptures. I devoured a pocket New Testament, reading book after book, and marveled over that which I was reading. But it wasn’t until this rebel sinner laid down his arms that Jesus unveiled the truth about Himself to me. That’s the way it works.
In the physical realm, intellectual curiosity and study is the key to gaining more knowledge. But if it’s insight into the truth about Jesus you want, that can only come through obedience. Intellectual darkness can be overcome through the pursuit of knowledge, but spiritual darkness can only be eradicated through aligning oneself to the will of God. And the first act of obedience for anyone, is to believe in Jesus (1 John 3:7, “And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ.”).
J. Vernon McGee put it this way: “We have an adage that says, ‘The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it.’ Jesus invites you; come and make a laboratory test. ‘If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.’ There must be an attitude of love for the Word of God. Someone has said that human knowledge must be known to be loved, but divine knowledge must be loved to be understood. Here we have the steps: knowledge, love, obedience. That is what He asks you to do… That is the wonder of the Word of God. Friend, if you are willing, God will make it real to you. The Holy Spirit will confirm it to you.”
J. Vernon McGee
“Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge.” — F.W. Robertson
HAPPY DAY
O happy day that fixed my choice
On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice,
And tell its raptures all abroad.
Refrain:
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray,
And live rejoicing every day;
Happy day, happy day,
When Jesus washed my sins away!
O happy bond, that seals my vows
To Him who merits all my love!
Let cheerful anthems fill His house,
While to that sacred shrine I move. [Refrain]
‘Tis done, the great transaction’s done;
I am my Lord’s and He is mine;
He drew me and I followed on,
Rejoiced to own the call divine. [Refrain]
Now rest, my long-divided heart,
Fixed on this blissful center, rest;
Here have I found a nobler part,
Here heavenly pleasures fill my breast. [Refrain]
High heaven that hears the solemn vow,
That vow renewed shall daily hear;
Till in life’s latest hour I bow,
And bless, in death, a bond so dear. [Refrain]
LookingtoJesus 