Scripture – “Not until halfway through the festival did Jesus go up to the temple courts and begin to teach. The Jews there were amazed and asked, “How did this man get such learning without having been taught?” Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.”
John 7:14-17 NIV
Observation – Jesus is teaching in the temple courts and the Jews were amazed at his teaching and asked how he obtained this knowledge without having been taught. Jesus responded that his teaching was not his own but it came from God who sent him. He went on to say that if anyone chose to do the will of God they would find out whether Jesus’ teaching came from God or if he was speaking on his own.
Application – This is true 2,000 years later. If we read the Bible and obey the commands God gives us we will discover that the words of Jesus support and validate what God has told us. Unfortunately what people do is rely on their own wisdom. They will choose a verse or two from the Old Testament, compare it to what Jesus says in the New Testament and declare that there is a contradiction. They do this without regard to the context and with the wrong motive in their heart, they are not seeking truth or wisdom but seeking a way to justify their position. If you choose to do God’s will you will find out whether Jesus’ teaching comes from God or whether he speaks on his own.
Prayer – Lord, I pray that people would approach your teaching with an open mind so that they can hear the truth and that your truth would set them free.
What are you doing? Do it better 