As explained in the previous post, we read scripture in order to learn about Jesus Christ, who He is, what He has done for us, and how through Him we live obedient lives.
Other scriptures from Jesus Himself also testify that the Scripture is not for expounding obscure doctrines, not that the Truth about Jesus and His Work is not important, but that and discussion, any disagreement can easily be resolved, any doubt can be easily dissolved to the degree that we magnify Jesus and His love for us, demonstrated at the Cross.
The Pharisees were well-read in God's law, but they did not recognize the Messiah when they say Him:
"Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are
they which testify of me." (John 5: 39)
We all seek eternal life, but eternal life is Jesus Christ, who through His Holy Spirit indwells every believer. Jesus' indictment against the blind Pharisees goes deeper:
"And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
"I receive not honour
from men.
"But I know you, that ye
have not the love of God in you." (John 5: 40-42)
Just as we must have a growing understanding of God's love for us in order to forgive others, to walk in His love, to be kindhearted toward others, we must receive the revelation of God's love for us to understand the Scriptures. The Holy Spirit is intimately entwined in this truth:
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our
hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Romans 5: 5)
The Holy Spirit supplies the presence, the power, and the purpose of Jesus Christ in our lives:
"And I will pray the
Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for
ever;
"Even the Spirit
of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither
knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
"I will not leave you
comfortless: I will come to you." (John 14: 16-18)
Now, Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father, making intercession for us and justifying us before God the Father (Romans 8). Yet He also lives and dwells in us through the power of the Holy Spirit, and through Him we also sit at the right hand of the Father in Christ! Not only has the Holy Spirit ensured that we are not orphans, but through Him we receive Christ's power and preeminence on earth:
"Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of
his Spirit. " (1 John 4: 13)
and
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
Who we are is forever-linked and defined in Christ Jesus! Let us learn as much about Him as possible!