On Wednesday mornings for the past 10 years or so I have
been in a Bible study with several men.
This year we are working through Romans.
Two weeks ago we started on chapter 8 which is the first of four really
difficult chapters. This morning we were
wrestling through a review of what we have discussed in the last couple of weeks
and then dove headfirst into chapter 9.
Paul, as you know, deals with a number of topics in chapters 8 - 11 that
are at varying levels controversial.
Things like foreknowledge, predestination, election, eternal security,
and the role of God's choice in our salvation.
At the end of our time together, one of the men, said,
"You know, if what Paul is saying is right, and he continues to work at
evangelism like he does, my understanding of predestination is not the same as
his; I am going to have to think about this." (Not an exact quote but close.)
Wow. I do not think
he intended to, but in one sentence he clearly expressed the reason we have to
continually dig back into the Bible. It
is a fact that we do not comprehend the heart and mind of God fully. No matter how much study we do, how many
books we read, how many messages we listen to, our understanding of our Lord
will not apprehend His glory fully. What
my friend expressed is our need, my need, to continually dig into the Word to
have it reveal to me where my understanding of Him and His truth needs to be
adjusted. One of my long time mentors
put it this way, "The Christian life is a continual journey out of
idolatry into true worship." It is
a continual process. When we think we
have it all figured out, someone will make an observation that shakes our
understanding. That should drive us back
to the Word.
Terrific meditation, Mike, and something I increasingly try to keep in mind as I get older (and older). In fact, I would say that one of the great benefits of years going by is to realize how little I know about anything - especially God and His truth.
ReplyDeleteShould I be surprised? I don't think so. I should be surprised (and frightened) if I think I know most everything about anything in the Bible - and therefore become dogmatic and sure. That was one of the very problems with Job's "friends."
After all, God is infinite, therefore His truth is infinite. I'm personally thrilled that I have eternity with Him; I'll need it, and still never get to know all of Him.
Imagine! Some people think that eternity in heaven could get BORING!
Great response - especially since it was you I was quoting.
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