KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH

1 Samuel 4 describes superstitious people who trusted a box instead of God. The troops carried the ornate box containing their written agreement with God onto the battlefield for protection, but it didn't help at all! They were defeated because while they considered themselves to be God's chosen people, protected by an ironclad contract with God, they didn't make a practice of living by that agreement (which included the Ten Commandments). Everyone just did what seemed right to them.

Though we modern believers are under a new agreement, carrying the Book around without cracking it open to see what it says is ignorant and superstitious. Reading or hearing Jesus' teachings without setting our hearts to do accordingly is not enough. Under our grace agreement, we can't just wear our "faith" like a lucky charm - a cross around the neck or a Bible in the car. According to Luke (ch. 12:35-59), we are responsible to learn and know and practice and manage what we've been given.

. . . Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required . . . 

Luke 12:48 ESV

WHO TO FEAR

A friend was telling about a "funny" that showed Jesus on the cross, and three guys lined up next to him making the "M", "C", and "A" from the song we all know and love to hate. It is humorous in a sad way, and illustrates what happens when we view a scene out of context. What means everything to me might be completely irrelevant to someone who knows little to nothing about what happened at that cross. Is the cartoon blasphemy, or mere sacrilege? I don't know, but I'm not laughing! God's grace covers a lot of ignorance and error, but Jesus said it is healthy to have a certain fear:

I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.  But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! - Luke 12:4-5