Posted on 10/27/2025 1:13:20 AM PDT by metmom
“‘You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men; but I know you, that you do not have the love of God in yourselves. I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, you will receive him’” (John 5:39–43).
Merely knowing the facts of Scripture, without hiding them in your heart and acting on them, will not bring the blessings of salvation. That was the problem of Jewish unbelievers. Jesus understood their searching of the Scriptures in a desperate and futile attempt to find the key to eternal life. But ironically, they failed to grasp that it is those very Scriptures “that testify about” Jesus.
The Bible cannot be properly understood apart from the Holy Spirit’s illumination or a transformed mind. The Jews’ zeal for the Scripture was commendable, but because they were unwilling to come to Jesus—the sole source of eternal life—their knowledge did not result in salvation. Clinging in their stubborn unbelief to a superficial system of self-righteousness by works, they became ignorant of “God’s righteousness and [sought] to establish their own” (Rom. 10:3). But self-righteousness cannot save anyone, since “all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment” (Isa. 64:6).
Please be sure you are not trusting in your own righteous works for salvation. Be sure you are clinging in utter dependence on the grace of God in Christ.
Ask Yourself
Have you ever allowed your knowledge of the Scriptures to blind you to its more excellent meaning, whether through pride or tradition or a dogmatic overconfidence in your own interpretations? How do you guard against these kinds of snares and deceptions?
Studying God’s Word ping
Perhaps another way to ask the question: do we focus more on the teachings that are in just one or two verses than on the teachings repeated often in Scripture, particularly the New Testament? Being saved by grace has dozens of Bible verses.
IMHO we should apply that logic to other themes. Loving others is stated more in Scripture than the few verses highlighted in Calvinism vs Arminians debates. Faith is stated way more times than the few verses pointed out in arguments of whether or not tongues is the initial evidence of Spirit baptism. Hope is called for in Scripture more often than hints in the Bible about the age of the Earth.
A few notes accumulated over the years:
The deity of Jesus Christ is paramount. The trinity is a great mystery, we cannot understand it by reason alone. We are saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Salvation is the first work of faith. Behold, mercy triumphs over judgment.
The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. Col. I: 15,16
No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. I Cor. 2:7,8
... the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Col. 1:26,27
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, the weak things to overpower the strong, the despised things and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are.
That which is seen is temporary, that which is unseen is eternal. Faith is the evidence of things not seen, the substance of things hoped for.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Tim. 2:15 KJV
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Heb. 11:6 BSB
We had a jewish scholar teadh at a church once and he brpught out the very jewish specific implications of the miracles 5hat Christ performee. We think of them as random acts, but they were so jewishly specific that no J3w could rightfully deny that he was the messiah. I wish i had kept the paperwork he handed out that day- it was r3ally eye opening, because as i said, u til that point, i thought the mirackes were just random acts meant to perhaps teach a lesson but never knew they had much much deeper meaning behind them. His miracles were well known bwfore his appearance, and when he showed up and created them, they fit perf3dtly with prophecy, and as stated, had deep jewish imp,ications tied into them.
That’s why so many non-Jesus movement Jews started following “the way” of Jesus. Note that they didn’t “convert” as Christianity is really just another 2nd temple Jewish sect alongside the Pharisees, Sadducees, Esssenes. etc
I wish more people would realize that one simple fact.
What?????? Dude, this post was meant to encourage, not elicit comments such as that. Let's keep it real here.
I’ve heard that before although not the specifics, but that Jesus’ miracles were not random but purposeful in a way that rejection of Him as Messiah had to be a deliberate choice.
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[[in a way that rejection of Him as Messiah had to be a deliberate choice.]]
Yep- which was why the crowd shouting for barabas was a shock- it was a deliberate rejection after the proof was given that Jesus was the Messiah
Huh?
For which of these do you stone me?
John 10:33
“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.”
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