CHOOSING GOD PART II
This week, we talk about the final pillar, the way of understanding. The good news is that this is not something unattainable, a metaphorical promise self-diagnosed and defined, but rather the reliable, structured, consistent denominator seen throughout the world. There are things that we will not understand about scripture. Sometimes, God will have you go through a process to learn the answer. That process is contingent upon your pursuit of understanding. Look at Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.”
Our understanding is reliant upon His good grace and our pursuit. We need to take courage in what we are taught by the Lord, and what His word says, 2 Timothy 2:1-2, “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” To understand God’s word, we must be in His word. We must know His word, so that His understanding will flow through us.
Take the apostles, for example. Their understanding came after spending time with the word. Now, when you read John 14 through17, we can clearly see that God will not leave us as orphans and has not left us as orphans. The believer is Spirit-filled and is a newborn creation in Christ; this is paramount to having understanding, Proverbs 26:7, “Like the legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.” Those who are not saved cannot understand. They have no ears to hear, they have no eyes to see, they have no mind to understand the things that are of God. The parables were designed for them, but the revelation of God’s word was designed for you and I who are saved. This is why, when you listen to a pastor, a podcaster, or whatever… you must know if they are saved and have the Holy Spirit. Too many Christians today are led astray based on the colorful words of wolves in sheep's clothing, the blind leading the blind. There are many who claim to know the way, and yet, our Lord and Savior said that narrow is the way. Is this a contradiction? No, but rather the cold, hard truth that many today who claim to be Bible experts are not saved. Thus, they do not have understanding. You, as a born-again believer, must pursue understanding; a relationship with the Lord is that way. Everything is contingent upon that. A brand new believer who knows nothing about the word of God is more adept at understanding than the spiritually dead Bible professor in seminary.
In conclusion, understanding comes from the Lord, and in His wonderful design, the formula for understanding comes through a healthy relationship with Him and living your life as He saw fit. You see, to attain understanding, one must only acknowledge the need for it and study God’s word; He will do the rest.
Next week, we will go a little deeper to understand the spirit of truth and how it works across all these pillars.
Hold until relieved, our Blessed Hope is coming,
Jl