Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works?" Then will I profess unto them, "I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22-23)
"Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them." (Acts 20:30)
Jesus said, "I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not. If another shall come in his own name, Him ye will receive." (John 5:43)
If these verses of warning don't constitute an informed rationale for reading and thinking on the Word daily, then please, allow me to offer additional scriptures that will encourage us to think about God's grace and mercy, and His perfect sacrifice for us so that we might be saved.
First, so that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" (Ephesians 4:14)
Second, so that we will personally know our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ and follow His commandments. Third, for edification and seeking the truth. Fourth, we read so that we can obtain His knowledge and wisdom for when we are in the world.
It is in this context that I point to the following verses from John 14:5-31. I believe they will be inspiring as well as edifying to you and yours. When you are finished reading, spend some time thinking about the promises of our Saviour. Don't forget to stand in the offering plate.
"Thomas saith unto him, "Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?" Jesus saith unto him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him."
Philip saith unto Him -- [Jesus], "Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us."
Jesus saith unto him, "Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." How sayest thou then, "Show us the Father?" "Believest Thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of Myself: but the Father that dwelleth in Me, He doeth the works."
"Believe Me that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me: or else believe Me for the very works' sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
"And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever."
That is, "even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." Jesus said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
"Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye see Me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day, ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him."
Judas saith unto Him, not Iscariot, "Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest Thyself unto us, and not unto the world?"
Jesus answered and said unto Him, "If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto Him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth Me not keepeth not My sayings: and the Word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you."
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in My name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."
Peace I leave with you. My peace, I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Ye have heard how I said unto you, "I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved Me, ye would rejoice, because I said, 'I go unto the Father: for My Father is greater than I."
And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe. Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world comes, and hath nothing in Me. But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence."
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