Perhaps a bit of a ‘duh’ but understanding is based in learnings. The next ‘duh’ is that this is never one and done, it is always a continuous discovery, thus in layers. You do appreciate that when it comes to the essential and eternal, you never learn and understand everything about (fill in the blank) all at once. We are always expanding our learning and building upon it. My simple example is math. In first grade you began with the basics: adding and subtracting. Then you add multiplying and dividing and by the time you graduate high school you’ve added a great deal to those first basic understandings. And, as you apply your learnings and understandings you grow.
This is true as you begin your walk as a Christian. You aren’t expected to know it all. Scripture tells us to:
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15, AMP)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, ESV)
“…that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…”
(Colossians 1:9-10, ESV)
And those are only 3 examples. But you don’t begin by ‘knowing it all’. That’s why fellowshipping is so important as is reading and studying the word and prayer. Our entire life is enriched by all that we do to become all that we can be and act on Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 4 (ESV). When you read this prayer you can see that YOU have a part.
“…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,… (v. 12) …joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”
(v. 16)
Just remember that this doesn’t occur overnight and certainly not without your involvement. You are the one that peals back the layers to grow, to see, to understand – line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:10, ESV).
