Today's Bible Study, Authored by Arthur
Cincotti. 01/15/2023
Listen to our Bible
Study Discussion at: Lord, Open Our Understanding! Podcast
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Lord, Open Our Understanding!
“And He opened their
understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Lk. 24:45
How often have you used the
phrase, “I believe that we have a misunderstanding”?
Understanding can be pared
into two types:
Understanding the way things are; how things work.
Understanding people, and their intent.
In both cases God is the
Author of true, accurate, and appropriate understanding.
Regarding the way things are,
Ex. 31:1-6 tells the account of how God called Bezalel, and “filled him with
the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner
of workmanship.” vs. 3
They may have acquired some
skills up to that point, but we must never forget Heb. 3:4, “For
every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.”
Prov. 4:7 says, “Wisdom is
the principal thing;
Therefore get
wisdom.
And
in all your getting, get understanding.”
When faced with situations,
tasks or problems that seem to defy solution, this is the time to turn and ask
the One who created all things. See Js.
1:5
I marvel at the ingenuity of
man. I sometimes marvel at my own abilities, but so much more over the talents
and abilities of others concerning that which I could never figure out apart
from the grace of God.
This ingenuity is an act of,
what is called, “common grace” weather the possessor of such admits it or not.
It comes from somewhere, and we know that the source of all good is God.
See Js. 1:17
More tedious, at times, is the
capacity to know, or understand. another person. This relies upon a confluence
of factors including language, cultural framework, past encounters, and depth
of relationship.
It is often life’s greatest
joy to truly understand another person in all their complexity. We are truly, “fearfully
and wonderfully made.”
Imagine trying to figure out
God. This is the effort of every false religion. Paul says, “O the depth of
the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His
judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Rom. 11:33
Apart from revelation, we fail terribly.
The Scriptures may lead the
natural man into some practical wisdom in order to navigate life. This was the
intent of the Law.
On the road to the village of
Emmaus, two men, who knew the Scriptures, were walking, and talking, and trying
to figure out what had just happened, when Jesus came along side and walked
with them. In this encounter they heard some of the greatest preaching ever
heard, but yet did not understand. They say, “Did not our heart burn within us
while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Lk. 24:32
Pr. James Finn observes this
pattern from this text:
“He took...He blessed...He broke…and He gave”
“Then their eyes were open and they knew Him” Lk. 24:30,31
Remember, the call to eternal
life, from Jn. 17:3 is to, “know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom
You have sent.”
In all our interaction with
God we should pray for revelation. Otherwise, we will be swept away by winds of
false doctrine.
Jn. 16:13 says, “The Spirit
of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth.”
Wait for the taking, the blessing, the breaking,
before giving!
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Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship
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