"I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding." -Psalm 119:32
Following Christ leads us to see things in a different way. We can never be the same once we’ve tasted and seen that the Lord is good. We will not look at things the way we once did. We will see all things through the lens of grace and God’s goodness. We will see more clearly the good and the bad.
This knowledge of good and evil is actually what Satan twisted and turned into a sinful act of rebellion in the garden. Satan tempted Eve with knowledge, and said that she would be “like God”, but what he was offering was a counterfeit gift. Knowledge that is given to us from God is what we should desire. Understanding Him in relationship is what we should seek.
Through a relationship with God:
We understand ourselves more fully.
Through this understanding we learn that:
- We are born with a sinful nature and a deep need for God. Our failure to achieve the divine standard for holiness becomes more clear as we delve into what God requires. One reading of the Sermon on the Mount should decimate any hint of self-righteousness we hold onto.
- We have a place in God’s plan. He uses us, not because we are amazing, but because He is amazing. We learn that God has gifted each of us in different ways and calls us to use whatever gifts we are given to edify the Body of Christ.
- Working in our power is futile but working in HIS power is what we need. Through the Holy Spirit we can do great things for Him because of His working through us.
- We are created by God and are a beautiful creation designed to bring glory to Him. We are designed to love and be loved by God and to be in relationship with Him.
We understand our God more fully.
Through this understanding we learn that:
- God shows His goodness and mercy as He grants us forgiveness if we ask and believe. God is patient with mankind as we fumble our way through our lives. When we vacillate between our relationship with God and our love for the world, He remains faithful. God gives to us without requiring perfection. He desires to make us holy and pours out His Spirit on us but our own righteousness is not required for salvation.
- God created all things for our enjoyment, because He loves us. And He will restore a relationship where we can fellowship with Him in perfection once again. What Adam and Eve forfeited in the garden will be revived and what we cannot imagine will come to fruition in eternity.
- God is a jealous God who wants us to be devoted to Him because He loves us. He desires our hearts and minds, not just our actions. But our actions are the outworking of the inward renewal.
We understand our past more fully.
Through this understanding we learn that:
- God is erasing the storyline of our lives and rewriting the history of our existence. The black and white photos that contain the images of what we have done are burning in the fire of God’s mercy. He is not ignoring the wrongs done, but rather wiping Christ’s blood all over the pages of our lives. In the parable of the prodigal son, the Father did not view the son’s past as having any bearing on who he was. He accepted Him because He came back. And He clothed the son with a beautiful robe and sandals. Taking back what was lost. In the same way God wants us to be clothed with His grace as He restores us.
- Our past wrongs and failures become a testimony that brings glory to God. The fact that we are not deserving of grace makes grace all the more powerful. Every believer has a story to tell. Some are more dramatic and climactic than others, but every one is evidence of God’s goodness.
We understand our future more fully.
Through this understanding we learn that:
- Sin may define our past, but our standing with God defines our future. The definition of you is different now than it was before if you are a new creation in Christ. God says “That one is mine! I payed the price to redeem my beautiful creation. I love this child of mine in every way!”.
- Death is not the end of us. It is a transition to eternal life with God if we know Him. Those who do not know Him have much to fear in the afterlife, but those who do will be rescued and redeemed for eternity in Christ. That reality is a bright one. Shining on our souls daily the light of hope. Removing all the darkness that clouds our understanding. We can be revived when we look at the glorious truths God has shown us.
In conclusion:
We should continue to grow in our new understanding that comes from God. By studying God’s Word we can learn more about the reality of life with Christ.
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