Last night, I began an online course with R.C. Sproul called Principles of Biblical Interpretation. I am truly grateful to God for a couple of friends who invited me to be a part of this. At first, I was intrigued. Then, in all honesty, a little reluctant. I mean, between Bible college, seminary and other courses since then, I've been over this type of material numerous times. My educational "pride" almost kept me out of the class. I am sure glad the Spirit pushed me on this. In completing lesson one last night and the subsequent assignments, God took a very simple and basic truth and hammered it into me again. It is the truth that Jesus affirmed in John 5:39,
"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me."
If I am not careful, I can easily fall into a trap of coming to the Word of God to learn something, to deepen my theology, to sharpen my defense of a doctrinal issue, to beef up my evangelistic efforts, to find a good insight for a Bible study or sermon, and other similar motives. What I can lose focus on in the midst of all of that is that it is in the Word of God that I should be encountering Jesus Himself. Growing to love Him more. Hearing what He has to say to me each and every day - for my growth, not for my ministry alone.
A basic, yet wonderful lesson that I need to be reminded of over and over again.
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