Don’t Let Understanding Become a Barrier to Belief
There is one thing that occurs in the heart and mind of every Christian. That is, belief in Jesus Christ and his resurrection.
As it says in Romans 10:9-10,
“because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”
For those apart from Christ, trying to understand this event can be a hindrance to confession.
More than once, I have heard someone say they don’t believe the Bible because of “the way God is.” They say they could never put their trust in God because of his wrath. They don’t use the word wrath, but point out things they believe are wrong. And those things often point toward wrath.
Also, I have heard many people say they don’t believe God created the world. They base this claim on what they understand about science, or what others have told them about their views of how the Earth came into existence.
Considering those two thought patterns, Christians can see how understanding gets in the way of unbelievers. We look at 2 Corinthians 4:4 and see,
“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
And this relates to how faith comes before understanding. Ephesians 2:8 says,
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Through the Lord’s magnificent grace, faith is a gift. It is true that when some people receive the gift of faith, they have a greater understanding of God and Scripture than others. But it is not their increased understanding that causes faith to happen. Growth in faith comes only after we receive Jesus into our hearts.
But even the most knowledgeable person about Scripture has much more to learn when they receive faith, confess, and believe. That’s because a fuller view of Scripture is opened to their eyes. Understanding, thanks to Jesus living inside a person through the Holy Spirit, comes in a different light.
However, this is where some Christians can get tripped up. They have a greater understanding, but this does not give them license to become puffed up. The scourge of pride creates a disadvantage when trying to share the gospel.
And for unbelievers, there is an important point in this. They should not try to understand everything and then come to faith. They should seek first the kingdom of God. (Matthew 6:33).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
No Christian watched God create the heavens and the Earth. Nobody stood in the tomb and saw Jesus rise from the dead. Nobody knows everything about God and his ways. This is true for believers and unbelievers alike. However, all who believe will eventually know fully.
1 Corinthians 13 says,
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
There’s no reason to attempt to know fully here on Earth. Yes, Christians should love the Lord and seek to know more about him. This is part of loving the Lord with all of your heart, soul, and mind in Matthew 22-37-38. But verse 39 matters, too.
Matthew 22:37-39 says,
“And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love your unbelieving neighbors and share with them the truth that they don’t have to understand the entire Bible to come to faith in Jesus Christ.