Beginning to Understand Scripture - Part 3

             In my last two posts, we’ve talked about how to begin to understand Scripture.  We know that it is a process that begins in prayer, followed by study and meditation on God’s Word.  Ultimately, it requires getting to know God intimately.  This is much more than memorizing all the “facts” about God.  It is developing a personal relationship with Him.

            Don’t misunderstand.  On this side of heaven, you are not going to understand all Scripture, and you are not going to know everything there is to know about God.  Don’t let that discourage you.  Knowing God and understanding His Word is a growth process—one that will continue until our last breath.  Many refer to it as “sanctification”.  Though we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus, God desires us to be “holy as He is holy” (I Peter 1: 16).  That doesn’t happen overnight.  We are in a marathon race that requires training. The apostle, Paul, said it like this,

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  Run in such a way as to get the prize.  Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training.  They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (I Corinthians 9: 24, 25 NIV84, Emphasis added).

So, where do we start this training or growth process?  Fortunately, we don’t have to do it alone.  Paul tells us that God, who began the work in us at our salvation, will carry that work through to completion (Philippians 1: 6).  That doesn’t mean that we sit back and let God do all the heavy lifting.  Paul also says that obedience is necessary to continue the growth process (Philippians 2: 12 – 13).

Obedience and intimacy with God are tied together.  Jesus made it clear that our connection to Him is essential to bearing fruit and growing in our Christian walk (John 15: 1 – 8).  Some of the best-known fruits that Christ requires are what we call the “Fruit of the Spirit”—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5: 22, 23).  The good news is that it is the Holy Spirit living in us that will help us attain those fruits.

Growth in Christ is not a solo endeavor.  From the moment we begin the search, God is waiting to answer.  The prophet, Jeremiah, says that when we seek God with all our heart, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29: 13).  Jesus has already prayed that we be made holy as He is holy (John 17: 17 – 19).  The Holy Spirit is standing by to reveal all truth to us (John 16: 13 – 15).  The Divine Trinity is cheering us on!

Whether you are just beginning your journey or continuing it, pray that “the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better” (Ephesians 1: 17b NIV84).  Don’t wait!  Start today!

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