If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. John 7:17.

The only way personally to know with certainty the truth of God's Word requires our willingness to do His will. When confronted with the claims of Christ we must be willing to surrender to those claims. Then we experience the reality and the certainty of what the Bible teaches as truth. To have an enlightened mind, we must bring our whole life to the light. Not to do so means we will remain in darkness regardless of how much religious information we may have. "If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them" (John 13:17).

This text does not say, "Happy are ye if ye know them intellectually." Knowledge without deeds and practice is worth nothing. We need both. Do you want to know the truth? Then walk in it. What makes people turn from the truth is not lack of information, but lack of willingness to do God's will and to obey His Word.

We may memorize the books of the Bible, and still it may profit us nothing. We may gather knowledge about all the great men of the Bible. We may count the number of verses in every chapter, and it will get us nowhere. We must set our minds and hearts to obey God. We must bring an attitude of willingness to do God's will. With diligence and sincerity we must ask the question "Lord, what will you have me to do?" God is not giving us theological lectures in the Bible. He is giving Himself. He is revealing His will and purpose for our lives. He is inviting us to walk the narrow way with Him.

The Christian faith is a very practical thing. God speaks to us in His Word. We must come to hear God speak. It is open for our understanding, acceptance, and obedience. The Word of God changes our lives. Nothing is to shake our faith.

If we read the Bible as a mere form we shall find many other books more entertaining. If we read it simply for information we may find other books more instructive. But if we read it to know and to do God's will we will hear God's voice. Every page will he a lantern to our feet and a light to our path.