When Knowing The Bible Isn’t Enough

I grew up going to church my whole life. Went to catechism, Sunday School, did devotions as a teen in the morning and at night, prayed, and journaled. I even went on to get a degree in Bible/Theology and Social Work at Reformed Bible College (now Kuyper College). I knew my Bible. I can probably still list all of the books of the Bible and some of my favorite passages.

I could sit here and say all that is great and is a good “Christian” thing to do, but until that knowledge goes somewhere else, it isn’t really worth much.

Unless that knowledge reaches my heart, it is empty. Until I apply Proverbs 3:5-6 to my heart, all of that knowledge is truly rubbish. Here’s what that passage says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Until I turn that knowledge into trust and give my heart to the Lord, that knowledge will turn up void. Now don’t get me wrong. It is important to know the very words of the Bible. For it’s in this priceless Book that we have the privilege of getting to know the character of God. His promises. His strength. His victory. And how WE can experience that victory as well. But simply knowing about those things isn’t going to get us to heaven. We know that Christ died for us, but do we REALLY believe it? Do we really have faith that it happened? Do we really live it out in our daily lives?

Simply knowing what the Bible says, just simply isn’t enough.

I had mentioned earlier that when I was recovering and even while in the hospital, I always had my Bible next to me. I struggled to make sense of many things at the time, so reading was all the more difficult because I couldn’t comprehend or remember what I read. Therefore, I did not read much. And if I did, I rarely remembered it anyways. BUT. Even just looking at my Bible, reminded me of what I did learn in Sunday School. What I learned going to church all my life. The times as a teenager when I was so devoted to doing devotions and praying. I went back to that child-like faith, and dug deep. I mean I had to DIG DEEP.

My faith was tested like it never had been tested before. Would I trust in God’s plan for me? Was He truly trustworthy? Did I truly believe in the promises set forth in the Bible? That the God of all comfort would comfort ME (2 Cor. 1:3)? That the Lord was watching over MY life (Psalm 121)? That the Bible was a light for the path I was currently on, even while lying in a hospital bed (Psalm 119:105)?

I am a Christian not for my knowledge. I will lose my memory I am sure someday! I am a Christian because Christ died for me and I believe that He has given me new life. A life of freedom, a life of grace, and a life filled with victory. A life that continues into eternity, where my permanent citizenship takes residence. In fact, it’s because of that victory and freedom, that I, all the MORE, want to dig into Scripture and learn more about THE Christ who rescued me from the depths of my depravity.

That is grace at it’s finest. Praise be to God!