Nothing is as dead as knowledge without life experience.
What kind of teacher would you rather have? In some countries, there are English teachers with excellent knowledge of English grammar and vocabulary, but they speak English very poorly.
There are many Japanese who learnt English at school, but they can hardly speak English.
There are also some theologians who do not believe in God, and others who believe in God theoretically but they have no meaningful experience in prayer.
The Apostle Paul was one of the most prominent Bible experts among the Jews of his time. He was very religious, but he did not know God until he met Jesus in person.
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. Acts 9:3–5 NIV
There are some Christians who believe in Christian doctrines but they have no personal connection to God.
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. Mt 7:21 NRSV
How did the first Christians do the will of the Father?
There are many today who believe that the Christian religion can save them if they live a reasonably virtuous and Christian life, Jesus taught otherwise.
In the New Testament, Jesus demanded trust and personal devotion, and he never changed.
Many of the first believers after Jesus' ascension did not see Jesus, but they did see the apostles and other disciples being endowed with spiritual gifts and shining with God's glory at the first Pentecost.
In the New Testament, it was normal to experience God's presence.
In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, 1 Pet 1:6 NRSV
Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, 1 Pet 1:8 NRSV
The priest cannot save you. The pope cannot save you. Your pastor cannot save you.
The Ten Commandments cannot save you. Your virtue cannot save you.
If you agree with all the doctrines of your free church, Protestant church or Catholic Church, your agreement with correct theology cannot save you.
If you zealously crusade for biblical truth and morality, that will not save you. Progressive activism will not save you. Conservative culture war will not save you.
Do you know Jesus personally? What role does Jesus play in your daily life?
How often do you experience God's presence? His tangible love?
Do you experience the Holy Spirit as your companion and personal guide?
The apostle John described the Christian life as fellowship with God and other Christians.
We declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 Jn 1:3 NRSV
Jesus did not allow himself to be tortured for hours on the cross just to found a religion.
Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Rev 3:20 NRSV
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