Be Careful

It has been a while since I have been able to blog. An accident in Colorado has left me with a problem of sitting down at my computer. The Lord is healing me in His time, and I praise Him that there are times like these for me when He allows something to 'slow' me down to almost a stop in order to listen to Him.
Last night in our Bible Study we were in John 5. As we worked our way through John 5 we came to a few verses that really have been on my heart for years. In John 5:39-42 Jesus says these words to the religious leaders "You diligentley study the Scriptures because you thinnk that by them you possess eternal life. These are the scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life. I do not accept praise from men, but I know you, I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts."
To me this is a careful warning, and a safeguard to each of us. It is also a reminder to us all that it does not matter how much scripture we know, but its how much scripture we show. We have all probably thought higher of ourselves at some point or another because we can quote, recite, or remember more of the scripture than others. I know men who can quote scripture from the front to the back of the Bible almost word for word, but don't live it. I know many who are seeking the Lord in the scriptures and apply themselves to commentaries, the Greek and the Hebrew, but never change. You see, we have probably all been there.
Recently I have been 'Un-Friended' by several people, and viewed their attacks on others, in whom this scripture is about. They are quick to call people Blasphemer's, False Teachers, Hypocrites, Liars and so forth, as they quote scripture after scripture in their defense of what they believe.
The Word says what it says. We can know all the scriptures, but "Not have the love of God in our hearts." What is the scripture for then? To shape and mold our hearts into people who love our God with all of our heart and to also love our neighbors as He loves us. There are many people who differ on election, predestination, and choice. Unfortunately the battle will probably go on until Christ returns (And then we will all know). Be careful my friends to not get caught up in your intelligence and forget the love of God and for our neighbors. Our lives should be seen by others as the scripture, and not religious people who merely quote the scripture. I will confess "I have been dogamtic and forceful in what I believe the scriptures say, but the older I get I realize that we all can listen, learn, live and love as He has loved us. This is the scriputre~