January 11, 2012 (Genesis 27-28; Psalm 4; Luke 11)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don’t enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering.” Luke 11:52 NLT
Observation: Jesus is coming down hard on the Pharisees and the experts in religion. He plainly tells them the truth. The truth they didn’t want to hear! He openly rebuked them for their incorrect interpretation of the scriptures and the addition of their own man made rules and regulations. They had removed the key to knowledge for the people by teaching things that were not of God. They twisted the plain and simple truth and turned it into a yoke of burden. They were not on the strait and narrow path that led to the Kingdom of God and they were preventing others from finding the path as well. Oh what sorrow awaits those who twist the scriptures for earthly gain.
Application: You would think we would learn from the lessons of old and not make the same mistakes. But history proves humans continue a repetitive cycle of sin against God. In spite of all the lessons in history available to learn from, we continue down the same road of destruction as the Pharisees and experts in religious law of old. Many have incorrectly interpreted the scriptures and are openly accepting sin that has been clearly defined as wrong in the eyes of God. Not only do we accept it, but we have learned how to encourage it in Jesus name. Oh what sorrow awaits those who remove the key of knowledge from the people. Those who do such things will not enter the Kingdom, and are preventing others as well.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for this day. Thank You for Your amazing grace and mercy that provide and protect me every day. Thank You for Your word that is truth. Help me understand it and apply it correctly. Help me interpret Your word the way You intended. Provide the key of knowledge to us. Open our eyes to see, our ears to hear, and our hearts to receive Your truth, in Jesus name, Amen!