"Knowledge puffs you up with pride, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1b, NIV).We need to be careful how we live. We may very well be the only Bible some people ever read. Knowledge – for the sake of knowledge – is worthless and can easily lead to pride and arrogance. But knowledge for the sake of love is priceless. In other words, no one really cares how much you know until they know how much you really care. Knowledge is powerful and should be used in love and love should always be controlled by knowledge. God gives us the ability to understand the Bible, and then wants us to use its truths to build each other up and meet the needs of others. A preacher once said, “Some Christians grow. Others just swell.” Arrogance and pride are the result of knowledge that is misused. Knowledge can be a weapon of destruction or a tool of construction. It all depends on how it is used. We can know doctrine and never know God. We can grow in Bible knowledge, but not grow in grace. We can attend church every time the doors are open but until we actually apply God’s truth to the way we live, something is lost in the way we translate the Good News of Jesus Christ. I heard the story of four Bible scholars who were arguing over the best translation of the Bible. One said he preferred the King James Version because of its beautiful, eloquent old English. Another said he preferred the American Standard Bible for its literalism and accurate translation from the original text. A third man preferred the newer translations because of their practical application. The fourth scholar listened thoughtfully, and then added, “Personally, I prefer my mother’s translation.” When the other men laughed, he explained, “My mother translates every page of the Bible into her daily life, and it is the most convincing translation I have ever seen.” I wonder. Do the people in my life better understand God because of the way I live? Is my life a living illustration of God’s love? Is the “Mary Southerland Translation” of the Bible authentic and real and pleasing to God? Lord, help me be Your Living Bible. Let’s Pray Father, I am amazed that You love me – no matter what I do or don’t do. Lord, I want others to look at my life and see You. Teach me Your ways. Give me Your strength and wisdom to live each day as a beautiful translation of Your unconditional love and grace. In Jesus’s name, Amen" from THE SHEPHERD GUIDE, 39
Posted on: Mon, 23 Sep 2013 04:55:27 +0000
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