Religious legalism and dogmatism are founded in man’s tendency to package opinions and ideas from what is perceived into a system of beliefs coined and asserted as truths. Reality is we all see and perceive with imperfect lenses, hence not everything is always as it appears. For this reason Paul wisely declared, “Now our knowledge is partial and incomplete, and even the gift of prophecy reveals only part of the whole picture” (1 Corinthians 13:9 NLT).
That’s why God exhorts us to know Him by pursuing a relationship with Him, not religious opinions about God; to pursue the person of Christ and knowledge of God. “But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me…” (Jeremiah 9:24).
RELEVANCE
We pursue friendships with people we know and trust. We won’t always understand or even agree with everything people say, but we appreciate their friendship for WHO they are. Likewise, we should pursue a personal relationship with God for WHO HE IS. The more we know Him, the more we will understand Him, receive His truth and follow His wisdom.
As we pursue God and the knowledge of God, our own opinions fade away. We become more open to His truth and more attuned to His voice; more sensitive to His inner beckoning and promptings, and as a result, are quicker to respond in obedience and faithfulness. As we get to God better, His ways (which are different and higher than ours) become less and less illogical to our natural mind, though illogical to the world! Furthermore, He has to nudge us less and less, and we seek to doubt and debate Him less and less. It’s all part of our progressive growth, which honors God.
REFLECT AND RELATE
Write down some things you don’t understand about God’s word, as well as things you perceive about God or His ways that seem somewhat illogical. Ask Him earnestly for clarity. As you pursue Him, He is faithful to reveal more truth and bring obscurity to clarity.
REFERENCES
Psalm 24:6; 27:8; 63:1; Proverbs 8:1-36; Isaiah 29:18; Hosea 6:1-3