The Centrality of Understanding

As exalted as the Son of God is, and as glorious as the New Covenant is, if they are not comprehended to some degree, they will bring no benefit to the individual. The Kingdom of God is one of understanding, comprehension, and persuasion. Its effectiveness is realized in the experience of Divine fellowship, or spiritual cognizance. Here is a Kingdom that consists of "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Rom 14:17). All of these are realized within the circumference of circumspection. They involve the heart, soul, mind, and strength--the whole person. Though unseen, this is not a mystical kingdom, or one not obvious to the intellect. Although a considerable amount of Christianity, both historic and contemporary, has been associated with the mysterious and incomprehensible, the Word of God does not support such a view. With no desire to be offensive, I must say that such a cerebration is more related to the occult than to the truth of God. Allow me to elaborate on this point briefly.

The Role of Faith

Faith is the means through which the things of God are apprehended. It is the primary activity of those in Christ. Faith is a gift from God (Phil 1:29; Rom 12:3; 2 Pet 1:1; Rom 10:17). Its obtainment brings clarity to the understanding; i.e., "By faith we understand . . . " (Heb 11:3). Faith is related to persuasion and conviction, involving the intellect, and the emotion and will as well. In "the kingdom of Christ and God" (Eph 5:5), power is found in realization, participation, and comprehension (2 Cor 13:5, NIV; 2 Pet 1:4; Eph 3:18). Knowledge, understanding, and discernment are the means through which Divine fellowship is realized (1 Cor 1:5; Eph 1:17,18; Col 1:9; 1 John 5:20; Heb 5:14). Those lacking these attributes are consistently represented as being in danger. Often such a condition is equated with being lost and alienated from God (Rom 1:31; Eph 4:18; 1 Thess 4:5; 2 Thess 1:8).

The Word and Understanding

The Word of God is addressed to the understanding, and is the means through which spiritual life is maintained (Matt 4:4). The Scriptures are provided for our "learning" (Rom 15:4). They "make known" the redemptive mystery of God, kept secret from the foundation of the world (Rom 16:26). The promises of God are there (Rom 1:2), and they make us "wise unto salvation" (2 Tim 3:15). All of these are consistently represrnted as primary in spiritual life.

God Has Extended Himself

God has extended Himself to become comprehensible to us. That is why the Law was given. It is involved in the Son of God coming into the world. He sent prophets and Apostles to clarify Himself and His purpose to mankind. "The knowledge of God" thus becomes the means through which salvation in all of its aspects is realized. Jesus comes to "give us an understanding, that we might know Him" (1 John 5:20). Seeing this, Paul abandoned all competing pursuits in order that he might "know Him" (Phil 3:10). The "knowledge of God" is the means by which we "have escaped the pollutions of the world" (2 Pet 2:20). God has provided "all things that pertain to life and godliness." However, they are appropriated "through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" 2 Pet 1:3). "Grace and peace" are "multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Pet 1:2). Apostolic efforts were directed toward us "increasing in the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10).

The Knowledge of God

I want you to see that a religion of ignorance is not from God. One that is based upon the emotion and shrouded by mystery is false and debilitating. If men are not being brought to the peek of their potential as the "offspring of God" they are not living within the circumference of Divine influence. Jesus, the Divine pattern for us all, "increased in . . . wisdom, and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52). That is the Divine pattern for us all. If corresponding increase is not found in us, we have missed the blessing, and our religion is in vain. Our spiritual advance includes growth in the "knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 3:18).

-- MONDAY: New Series, THE WORD BECAME FLESH --