True Understanding

Tom Moore

The story is told of the explorer who some years ago had just returned to his country from the Amazon. The people at home were eager to learn all about the vast and mighty river and the country surrounding it.  How he wondered, could he ever describe it to them - how could he ever put into words the feelings that flooded into his heart when he saw the exotic flowers and heard the night sounds of the jungle.  How could he communicate to them the smells the filled the air and the sense of danger and excitement that would come whenever he and his fellows explorers encountered strange animals or paddled through treacherous rapids?

So the explorer did what all good explorers do - he said to the people, "go and find out for yourselves what it is like", and to help them he drew a map of the river pointing out the various features of its course and describing some of the dangers and some of the routes that could be used to avoid those dangers.

The people took the map and they framed and hung it on the wall of the local science museum so that everyone could look at it.  Some made copies of it. After a period of time many of those who made copies for themselves considered themselves experts on the river - and indeed they knew its every turn and bend, they knew how broad it was and how deep, where the rapids where and where the falls.  They knew the river and they instructed others in what it was like whenever those people indicated an interest in it.

I think that many people today are in the same situation. They may know the scriptures but they do not understand them. And they do not understand them because they have not been there - have not made them a real part of their lives through obedience. Mankind must not simply look at the scriptures and their meaning but have God's word living in them through obedience. All must experience what it means to believe on the Lord, to repent of our sins, to confess His name, to be immersed in water for the remission of sins and allow God to forgive. Everyone must live as the Scriptures instruct. Make the word of God a real part of your life. This is to really know and understand the scriptures.

 Think About It!