Monday, April 27, 2015

April 28, 2015

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. 'Teacher,' he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?' 'What is written in the Law?' He replied. 'How do you read it?" 'He answered, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all you mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" 'You have answered correctly,' Jesus replied, 'Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jess, "And who is my brother?" Luke 10:25-29
If you were in a room with Jesus would you try to show Him up?
This guy did!
Why would anyone do that?
The Scripture says, "he stood up to test Jesus". In other words, this "expert in the law" was checking to see if Jesus really knew what He was talking about.

Well, that's a bit arrogant isn't it?
This "expert" knew the answer to the question he asked of Jesus, so it wasn't likely he was asking for information. Jesus knew that so He turned the question back on him to expose his arrogance.
You may have read this story before and found yourself annoyed with this "know it all" lawyer. But guess what, you've done the same thing! So have I!
How so?
You question Jesus every time you doubt or ignore or rationalize the clear Word of God and choose to do what you want to do instead. Just like the "expert" you knew what the right answer was so when you chose your will over God's will you were saying, "What I know is better than what you know!"
Ugh! That's ugly!
That is the very nature of sin! Sin is willfully disobeying the known will of God.
But it gets worse!
After this "expert" got exposed in his arrogance and impudence, rather than humbly apologize, he tried to justify himself! He doubled-down with another question even though he had no intention of answering this question either!
Oh, no!
Oh, yes! And you have done the same thing! So have I!
Whenever you willfully disobey God and then fail to repent you are trying to justify yourself!
Jesus is the only One who can justify us but only if we cease our efforts to justify ourselves and repent of all sin, disobedience and self-righteousness! 
That is one test He welcomes!
You will find the answer you are looking for!