Enter In (Luke 21:52 ESV)

 

Knowing the truth and then turning away from it or just becoming immune to it is a sad thing.  More so, because the truth sets us free (see John 3:32).

When you take a look at the lawyers, a.k.a. the scribes, of Bible times, see what Jesus had to say about them,

"Woe to you lawyers!  For you have taken away the key of knowledge.  You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering" (Luke 11:52 ESV).

How does that make you feel to read that?

The lawyers were the ones to write out all the law and other Scriptures for the Jews.  They would know all those Scriptures very well in their heads.  After copying them out time and again they'd likely have been able to recite great portions of God's word.  But it seems as it was just a mechanical exercise for them.  They'd not "entered in".  They did not take these words to heart.  They were not allowing them to seep into their whole being and allow them to govern their lives.

Even worse, they hindered others from so doing.

It is a heads up to me to be aware of this sort of thing in my own life.  Knowing the holy Scriptures from my youth up can tend to make me feel, "Oh, I know that already" and the Word of God just rolls off me like water off a duck's back.  I hadn't let it enter into my soul and spirit nor allowed the Holy Spirit to do His work in me.

When I do not act or behave in a Christlike manner it could well cause others to turn aside and not 'enter in'.  Woe be to me then, too!

Lord, help me to be what I should be in Your sight so that I do not cause havoc to others especially in the hindering them to come to You.  I ask in Your name Lord Jesus, amen.

                                                ~ ERC  August 2025 ~

Based on Luke 11:52 ESV
Sing, Awake My Soul, along with Hillsong.