when you come, bring the cloak that i left with carpus at troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. [2 timothy 4:13]
at the end of his life, paul asks timothy to bring him these parchments, which likely were the old testament scriptures. often times we treat scripture like it’s something to learn and then we have no need of it anymore. “i’ve read matthew chapter 6 before, so now i don’t need it again.” but the point of scripture is not to perfect yourself out of needing Jesus, it’s to point you to Jesus, and show you your need for him.
you search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, [john 5:39]
are you trying to perfect yourself out of needing Jesus? i know my wife really, really well. but that doesn’t make me think that i want to go on without her. it makes me want to be in her presence more. the goal is not to be a super hero, the goal is to recognize your need for God more. scripture, growth, sanctification – can cause us to long to be in the presence of God even more. so press in.
and he knows you. everything about you. and he says, i’ll die for that person. i long for that person to know me. i want to be with that person.
o LORD, you have searched me and known me!
you know when i sit down and when i rise up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.
you search out my path and my lying down
and are acquainted with all my ways.
even before a word is on my tongue,
behold, o LORD, you know it altogether.
you hem me in, behind and before,
and lay your hand upon me.
[psalm 139:1-5]
~ keith kozlowski