July 27th

Vision Testing

Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. Mark 8:11-13

Do you know what the biggest threat to your relationship with Jesus is? I'll give you a clue. It is not sin, and it is not the world. Oh, and it's not the devil, either. Have you guessed yet?

The biggest threat to your relationship with Jesus is religion.

Religion was the Pharisees' problem. Religion is what lied to them, making them think they already had what Jesus came to give. Religion limited them to a form of godliness that was devoid of God's presence in their lives.

Religion is what convinced them they were right and everyone else, including Jesus, was wrong. This critical mindset caused them to argue with Jesus, and ultimately, it left them trusting their own works to make them right with God. They had a long list of credentials and, comparing them with what they thought they knew of Jesus, they were not impressed. They wanted a sign from heaven to prove that they should listen to Him.

His response was essentially to say, Who do you think you are? Does God need to prove Himself to you? Do you have so much understanding that you think you can judge God? He refused to indulge the Pharisees' arrogance. If they thought they were good enough without God then He would let them have it their way. He left, without answering a single argument or challenge.

How about your relationship with God; do you still have room to grow? Are you still looking to Jesus for answers, not to arguments, but for the problems you face in life? Or have you become so well trained in what you think God wants that you don't need Him anymore?

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and our ears open to hear what He wants to say to us. We just might learn something.

Prayer Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your presence in my life! I choose to keep learning from You all of my life. Please help me to hear what you want to teach me.

Amen