Day 37 - Knowledge, Tradition and Relationship

In Romans 10:2, 3 Paul writes this about the Israelites:  I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

The Israelites, especially the Pharisees, had great zeal for God but they were misguided.  Their tradition (their interpretation of God's word) was - apparently - more important to them than God's actual word.  Jesus says as much in Mark 7:13:  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition.

Imagine that.  We, you and I, can make God's word which, by the way, is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Heb 4:12), powerless.  

We can make the Word of the Creator of heaven and earth powerless.  We can do that (and we do do that) through our traditions and lack of knowledge.

This happens when we do not have a living and vital relationship with Him.

Jesus defined eternal life in John 17:3: this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It is only when we stand in a real relationship with Him that we get to know Him.  And it is when we know Him that His word becomes powerful in our lives.  But for this to happen we have to make a paradigm shift.

Have you done this yet?  Have you moved from tradition to relationship?  If not, this is your day.