Yes,I absolutely agree with you, that, fame, family background, gender, education, and many others count at one time or the other. Not so when it comes to spiritual discipline. Here, what counts more than anything else is total humility!

A good example is that of Nicodemus, a man that came to Jesus at night. As the Bible states, Nicodemus was not just an ordinary person, but a man that was greatly adored! He came to Jesus with this feeling that he was somebody. His pride was so great that he was un-willing to be associated with this poor,un-schooled, un-famous man from Galilee, whose father was not a household name, but rather a poor un-known carpenter!

He even tried to apply philosophy of the highest order thus trying to impress upon the man of Galilee that he-Nicodemus was not as simple as the man of Galilee thought.

Jesus, who knows the end from the beginning, and sees in every single human being that which others can not see, knew that deep in his heart, Nicodemus was searching for the truth. Although at the end of their conversation, Nicodemus did not accept the plain truth, the word of God tells us that Nicodemus became not only one of the disciples, but suffered greatly for the sake of the truth.

There is no question that you and I have this feeling that we know it all. Since childhood, we have read the Bible and memorized passages that we can use in defense for that which we hold dear.

Like you, I have spent many years studying the Bible, such that there is every temptation to feel that I know it all. However, every time I approach the word of God, I do so with this child like attitude “Lord Jesus, what are you trying to teach me? or ‘speak Lord, I am listening!”

The Bereans’ attitude and approach has been my approach ever since I got to know about them. Writing about them, the Apostle Paul said “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true!” Acts 17:11

In view of the fact that we are living amidst the perils of the last days,there is need now more than ever before to search the scriptures so as to make sure that we are in tune with my friend and Savior-the man from Galilee. I am willing to go that route? Are you?

Just a thought!

C.Absalom N. Birai, pastor
Maranatha SDA church
P.O BOX 1296
Maple Grove, MN 55311
612-386-4608

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Date: Sat, 28 Jun 2008 04:11:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Absalom Birai
Subject: Re: Humility is the key here!