Not knowledge but true understanding and wisdom in Christ

We are blind unless we are in Christ.

Reading scripture with the intent and purpose of drawing meaning and forming principles is not helpful, but only through the revelation and guidance of Christ the true infallible Word of God and our light do we gain understanding and wisdom through Scripture.

Jesus Himself said the Scriptures bear witness of Him. Life is not in the Scriptures themselves, but in Jesus. Trying to draw meaning will only make us more confused and driven into madness, for our nature can use knowledge as weapon to sin.

For example, is it reasonable to try to figure out what Jesus meant when he says when someone strikes you on the left cheek let them strike the right? is it even reasonable to form principles to live our lives by? By nature we will try to use our own understanding to live up to this standard. But in the end it will just be behavior modification. Like Jesus said, only the outside of the mug is cleaned but the inside is still dirty like white washed tombs. I believe that's why Paul says he makes no opportunity for the flesh, and he boasts in his weakness, for God's strength is made perfect in his weakness.

When are we weak? We are weak in Christ. This is a simple yet complex and profound thing. I cannot explain with words. You just have to go and relate with Christ through prayer. Listen to what he says, talk to him about everything with an open and abandoned heart.
When we are in Christ, our mind and heart are transformed by Scripture. We no longer try to draw meaning from scripture, but our way of thinking and living is transformed.

I don't know how to put this in a clear manner, but we need to go to Jesus. He is our way, our truth and our life. Don't just stop at scriptures.

The harvest is plentiful

But the workers are few.

As I was praying today I saw a field of golden wheat.
God is doing a mighty work of salvation in Asia.

50 years ago, a government leader in China said that Christianity belongs to the museum, God and Christianity can go to hell. At that time, it certainly seems so. But look at it today, grains of seeds that fell in the field have finally ripened.

There are millions upon millions of Asian people coming to Christ(being the predominant religion in 4 countries, and having 40-120 million Christians in China alone). Doctors, lawyers, businessmen, to lowly folks in rural villages. Their faith, hope and love are pure and innocent. With passionate hearts some of them will go to the west, bringing the good news of God's salvation back to Jerusalem.

God is fulfilling his promise in Isaiah 49. We can't just sit and waste our lives. Let's pray for people to reap the harvest.