“He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear withness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his ownname, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?“
It is possible to glory in the searching and seeking more than the actual living relationship with a living and holy God. To be caught up in the fact-finding and forget the pleasure of His presence. To pray and sing in the ‘acceptable’ forms without being spontaneous and reacting to His workings in our lives.
This reflects in a deeper sense, our beliefs. Whether we put our trust in the actual God or in the time, and resources spent in the search for God.
Out With The Old 