Knowing God through His Word — Part 3
To Find God in His Word
Introduction
Part three suggests a few things that help to find God’s Spirit and life in the Scriptures and to hear His loving voice speaking just to you. . . .
Three
The Pharisees who crucified Jesus knew God’s Word, but they didn’t know that Jesus Himself was the living Word made flesh before their eyes. Joseph Stalin knew God’s word too. He studied for the priesthood in the Russian Orthodox Church before he became a socialist revolutionary. Knowing God’s word didn’t lead Stalin to God or help him live a godly life, for he suppressed Christianity, destroyed churches, and persecuted and killed Christians. (http://www.politicaltheology.com/blog/stalins-biblical-rhetoric/ and also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Stalin)
It takes more than diligent study and head knowledge to get to know God through His Word. Without divine revelation, the word can be dead. Jesus taught us,
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” John 6:53-54a.
For those who seek to know God and His ways, here are a few helps to find God’s Spirit and life in the Scriptures, to hear His loving voice speaking just to you.Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to be your teacher, ask Him to reveal Christ to you as you read and to give you understanding But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. John 16:13.
1. Begin by asking the Holy Spirit to be your teacher, ask Him to reveal Christ to you as you read and to give you understanding, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he But the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance. John 14:26 Then acknowledge any doubts, questions and unbelief and by asking God’s help in searching out truth.
2. If your distance from God seems too vast to bridge, talk with Him about it. If shortcomings and wrongdoings stand between you and God, talk openly with Him about them.
3. If your heart has been wounded and is hardened by scars, try to forgive others and ask for forgiveness for yourself where it’s needed. God opens the ears of the tender hearted.
4. Continually seek humility and dependence upon the Holy Spirit as your teacher. Mental effort never unlocks mysteries of the spirit. Things of the spirit are discerned and understood only by the Spirit. The Word of God can never be fully understood by the human mind. Our educational system rewards mental effort. In the Kingdom of God, revelation is given and received.
5. Another way of saying 4. above is: be intentional about cultivating a teachable spirit. Most of us know many things from books, schooling, experiences and other people. Our prior knowledge, world views and value systems can close us off or blind us to God’s ways.
6. Check out commentaries, dictionaries and other Bible Study books. Ultimately you can never learn all God wants for you through these books or through the wisdom and experience of pastors, teachers or mentors. Others will help you along the way, but the Holy Spirit is your guide and teacher through study helps as well as through the Bible.
7. When full answers and resolution are delayed, quietly resolve to wait upon the Lord. Set your will to the spiritual discipline of sustained seeking. God’s word has many layers. It is riches are inexhaustible and God’s means and timing of revealing Biblical truth is custom tailored to fit each individual.
8. Continue to do your best to “do” God’s word. If God highlights verses on His mercy, strive to be merciful. If He brings your attention to scriptures on helping the poor, seek Him for wisdom in giving and follow through. Ask for God’s help to align your character and your life to agree with His ways.
Now to sum up, with your heart set to be teachable
and your mind set to be inquisitive,
by trusting in God as your teacher,
by setting off with a sense of adventure and curiosity,
by using your common sense and your reasoning mind,
by using all the Bible Study tools available,
you will be equipped to discover rich veins of pure ore and to and mine inexhaustible spiritual treasure from God’s Word.
When you sense the Holy Spirit highlight a passage or a word jumps out at you or comes alive, don’t rush away. Pause—let it sink in—choose to receive divine revelation; God’s words are life and His life is the light of men. You are engaged in conversation with God, building a relationship and getting to know Him.
