The Bible Won't Cooperate With A Loophole

You ever notice how many people say they want the truth, but really they just want permission?

That's what Jesus runs into in John chapter 7. He shows up at the temple, uninvited by the religious system, and starts teaching. The scholars are stunned. "How knoweth this man letters, having never learned?" (John 7:15). They're not questioning His knowledge. They're questioning His credentials. Where's your degree? Who ordained you?

Jesus doesn't answer with a resume. He answers with a test. "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God" (John 7:17). Not "if any man is smart enough." Not "if any man studied long enough." If any man is willing.

The issue was never your intelligence. It's your willingness.

People come to the Bible looking for a loophole, hoping it won't mess up their plans, wanting permission for something they've already decided to do. Scripture won't cooperate with that. It'll leave you confused, and worse, it'll leave you easy prey for the next smooth talker who'll tell you exactly what you want to hear.

Submitting before you get the answer means giving up control. That's why the skeptic won't run the test. He doesn't want the answer. He wants an alibi. Pilate had truth standing in front of him and walked out before he even got a response.

So ask your own heart. When you open the Bible, are you looking for truth, or are you looking for permission?

If you want the full message, listen below.

Pastor Fortunato
Founding Pastor & Preacher of the Word.
Pilgrim Baptist Church — Cookeville, Tennessee

https://pilgrimbaptist.church/
https://www.sermonaudio.com/solo/pilgrimbaptist/