Sep 18

The Pharisees knew the laws of God very well, and added many of their own to them. Because of their religious practices, they appeared to know God very well.

But Jesus constantly confronted them with their hypocrisy. For, although they knew the laws of God so well, they did not know the God of those laws at all. They had no personal relationship with God, just a knowledge of his laws. That way they were able to keep God at a distance, not allowing his Spirit to search their heart.

But there is a huge difference between knowing God solely through his laws and knowing him personally, because you have allowed him to know you personally.

The Pharisees boasted of their knowledge of God. This is important, no doubt about it.

"Let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me" (Jer. 9:24).

The problem comes when we think we know God simply because we know his requirements for knowing him. Knowing about God is not the same as knowing him. Even fulfilling his requirements for knowing him is not enough. Jesus once told a parable of a Pharisee who fulfilled all the requirements to the letter -- yet he did not know God. For knowing God is a matter of the heart and spirit, not the fleshly following of laws.

Scripture for today: Matthew 23
Thought for today: Knowing God is a matter of the heart and spirit as well as the mind.
Prayer for today: Help me, Lord, to know you, not just your laws.

SEP 18