A well-taught Christian is not necessarily one who has acquired an extensive knowledge of Scripture, though such knowledge may be a means to the end of becoming a well-taught Christian. The Bible is like a map, in that it shows us the way to be brought into, and to maintain, a walk with God. I may have an excellent acquaintance with the map of a certain country or continent, yet be a very poor explorer. In the same way, people may possess a great deal of Bible knowledge and be able to talk beautifully about the deeper things and the higher life, when all the while their experience may be shallow and their life dishonoring to God. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:1717If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (John 13:17)).
The teachings of our Lord in the Sermon on the Mount, for example, are not hints to those who want to enter the kingdom, that we may take or leave. Christ Himself acts on these principles. His Word must dwell in us, steadily controlling our lives. Then, and not until then, are we abiding in Him.
It is so important in reading the Bible to remember that we must aim at more than clear views of truth. I may perceive a great deal of inward significance in Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac, but in my life I have a Mount Moriah too. That is for me the really important matter. Similarly, I may understand the progression in Jacob’s experience, in that Bethel marked one stage and Peniel quite another, and that much lay between the two. But then I also must travel that same road.
The Word of God must be before us all the time, not to copy, but to reproduce the truth. We must not be encouraged merely to pile up Bible knowledge and to think that because we know a great deal, we are able to teach others who may have studied less.
Yes, that delusion is common, and not only among a few. But mere teaching does not nourish the soul; the truth must have full play in our lives. God will always be putting us into circumstances in which His Word will test us. The path that our Lord Jesus followed led to the cross, and the question all along will be, “Are we willing to take that road with Him?” It means death to self, daily. Are we willing to let Him live it out in us? There is no other way of bringing blessing to others.
Adapted from the book Pastor Hsi