Without the ability to communicate we would be in dire straits. Every facet of life is affected by communicating. But there is a reason communication is important. Without communication there can be no understanding.
I recently talked with my granddaughter on the phone. Talking with a
two year old is difficult at best but even more so when on the phone
long distance. I considered it quite an accomplishment to be able to
understand her words though they were not very clear. We could not have
communicated if I failed to understand her words.
The same is true with God's
word. God reveals to us His will and has written in such a way that is
understandable. This past week at the detention center a young man was
baptized, and another expressed a desire to be baptized. As one
understands the need for baptism, it will require growth to fully
understand the blessings of the new life and the walk that has been
undertaken by the new man.
When we talk about understanding
we are talking about something that effects each and every one of us.
When Jesus says, "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear" (Mt. 13:9), He
means for those who hear His words to understand them. Teachings that
are not understood cannot be properly applied, and therefore have no
spiritual value.
Solomon writes of one who is
happy when he gets understanding (Prov. 3:13). This understanding
Solomon speaks of is tied directly to God's teachings and the wisdom it
provides through understanding God's word. This theme is repeated often
throughout Proverbs, and also is recorded in New Testament Scripture.
Paul tells the Ephesian brethren
not to walk as other Gentiles do, for their understanding is darkened
by not doing what God wants them to do. For the Ephesians the
application is that to have their hearts blinded to God's truth so as
not to obey it, alienates them from God and the life He provides through
Jesus Christ. That same exhortation also applies to us.
Matters of the heart are focused
on a heart that understands God's word and does it. This application
is individual as well collective in view of the body of Christ.
Understanding can come only through study and a growth in knowledge.
God provides us with understanding (1 John 5:20) as we study and realize
true faithfulness is based on an understanding heart. Rodger
No comments:
Post a Comment