“ And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us.” - 1 John 5-10
Knowing, Understanding, Believing
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Let’s talk about these three words today to wrap up what was launched with our “True Detective” post, and before we go back to our normal/expository articles….
First, Knowing.
It’s the starting point of discovery… First, we have to “Know” - that a thing or a concept —exists—- , before we can -then proceed to -know ( through personal experience or other channels ) —-more about its attributes.
Shape,color, size, taste, smell, sound … or ( for concepts )… what is being talked about, how is it defined, how does it relate to similar, opposing, parallel thoughts and ideas or other facts we may -know. Is it part of something larger, is it a component of a whole, are there things it is totally disjoint with … now that is getting into the territory of “modeling” knowledge, and it’s what AI /Algorithms are getting better and better at manipulating (e.g. pictures into art ).
From a Christian application perspective …. We can -know-, intellectually, that there is a Bible, there is a people ( Christians/Jews) , there is a political problem( Jerusalem ) , there is a spiritual problem ( Sin ), there is even a solution ( Messiah, Gospel ). Our knowledge can range from rudimentary to expert and all the shades in between ….. on these and other topics.
Next, Understanding.
If knowing answers a What, understanding seeks to know the Why and How and “What is it good for” … ( maybe , like the song goes … absolutely nothing! ) … How did a thing come to be, what is its purpose, is it harmful, can it be harnessed?
We used to worship the sun before we understood it was just a star. Now that we understand how the sun works, we have moved on, and don’t think about it too much, which is a pity.
The sun powers all life on this planet with the completely magical phenomenon of light across the vacuum and darkness of space.
We turn its energy into electricity, which again, is like light in another form , and is very similar to LIFE … when the power goes off, things are dead!
You live only while you are “plugged in” to the power source , that is, connected to life. Interesting isn’t it ? …. Funny how we have gotten to take such magic for granted !
The Bible says IN God is Light & Life, and there is no darkness in Him at all! ( “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.” - John 1:4-5,
We have walked through Understanding the books of the Law, the Parables, Paul, Revelation, and finally, the book of Proverbs. We read and interpreted them and really got an insight into the workings of our Creator. Again, as in knowledge, the level of understanding of what we tried to communicate , will definitely have varied from individual to individual, but we have tried our best to communicate as clearly , simply and logically as we can, the whys and wheretofores of some pretty knotty issues… by Gods Grace alone.
Believing & acting on the basis of those beliefs, should now naturally follow right? ?
No they don’t. You can know and understand the Gospel and the Words of Jesus , but that does not mean you believe them or practice them in daily life. If you do, your actions and character will demonstrate your understanding and faith more clearly than words …. because YOU are now fully ONBOARD and CONVINCED that THIS is indeed THE WAY!! … and your priorities will shift.
You will recognize the Word as the only solid ground amongst the shifting and fickle tide of public opinion and the prevailing culture. What is said is eternal. The promises are true and available today. This path leads to Life!!
If you DON’T BELIEVE IT …. you are probably right now going down the 6 lane highway of stock market & corporate ladder climbing, thrill and pleasure seeking, looking to die young and leave behind a good looking corpse….
Knowing AND EVEN understanding the gospel will not save you. Getting wet and having a priest say words over you won’t do that either…. you have to be…….
……. Born again !!!
It’s really like being born into a completely new world, and like Adam after the apple , our eyes should be goggle-eyed with our new world view and spiritual insight !
Now, with —-hindsight from our previous life- , we embrace a second childhood and grow up to know a Father that loves us. That delights in our individuality and wants us to express it in the best way we can … work,vocation, or volunteerism … only we can do what He has put in our hearts, and given us the capability to do.
Being Born again means walking through life with our eyes open — to the tactics of your enemy and to the needs of the people we love. It’s a mental and spiritual reawakening, of things that have long been dormant inside …( our conscience ) and a walking in a world where the assaults on a sensibility that is alive and sensitive …are daily and constant. ( Be ye wise as —serpents(!), and as —-harmless as doves [a picture of the Spirit!], put on the full armor of God.. )
Our minds are the battleground. Thoughts & ideas, perceptions, misconceptions, doubt, confusion, uncertainty, fear, anxiety, worry, stress, hate, anger, envy, jealousy….. these demons, and more, are constantly whispering in our head for us to do what pleases us. To devote our time and headspace to nursing resentments and grudges, brooding over real or perceived slights or insults….
Oh what fragile creatures of ego we are, and so easily led down the garden path by things that want to steal our joy….. and that is all they can do, if we let them. Long term these things will kill you or make you kill others!
Acting … is the ONE POWER that no one can take from you. Your choices and your actions are YOURS. And in this, if your choices are aligned with the WILL of God ….. well then that’s Game, Set & Match.
YOU CHOOSE where your brain and heart spends the day, and not the enemy. Is anyone happy? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone in trouble? Let him/her pray. Do you want to dwell in resentment and despair? You don’t have to… if you give it over to Him and trust that He’s got everything under control…. you can quiet all those voices by just singing the name of Jesus ?.
TRUE CHRISTIANS BELIEVE, & that is the victory that overcomes the world… FAITH. Comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God…. Yes, you have heard that so often we don’t even have to give a Bible reference…. But it’s TRUE!
Abraham was not praised for his works, but his faith that God would restore his son, and be faithful to His promise. And his faith is the foundation by which all who BELIEVE call him an ancestor.
While we all HAVE TO work and deal with these end times and the crises of faith… ( Christianity can not go back to status quo ante… even the Vatican has realized that… )… the secret is that You don’t even have to work very hard if God is with you.
Take it a day at a time and just chill !!!………..Knowing, understanding and BELIEVING that He is doing the looking out in front, fighting your battles FOR YOU, and letting you get stronger day to day. When you are hurt or wounded , He is there to bandage your wounds , comfort and restore you , so you can continue the fight and keep growing !
Hallelujah!