Let’s Study Present Truth (Pt. 3: Knowing & Understanding)

In last week’s blog post, we learned that those who specifically need to understand and become established in present truth are those who:

1. Know and understand Jesus & His righteousness
2. Honor and reverence Jesus & His righteousness

For parts 3 and 4 of our series, we’re gonna look into what these two spiritual characteristics mean.

Knowing & Understanding

To kick off this blog post, let’s take a look at what Jeremiah 9:24 can teach us about knowing and understanding Jesus and His righteousness.

Jeremiah 9:24 says:

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.

(Jeremiah 9:24)

What does it mean “to understand”?

To Understand…

Psalm 14:2 gives is a clear idea of what the word “understand” means.

The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God.

(Psalm 14:2)

The HNV Bible makes this even clearer:

The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, To see if there were any who did understand, Who did seek after God.

(Psalm 14:2 HNV)

Here we see that understanding God is Biblically associated with seeking God.

This makes me think Matthew 6:33–

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

(Matthew 6:33)

To Know…

Now, what does it mean to know God?

1 John 4:7-8 gives us the answer to that question:

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

(1 John 4:7-8)

Here we see that knowing God is Biblically synonymous with LOVING God and LOVING others as well!

Conclusion

So the essential characteristic of those who need present truth is that they understand and know Christ and His righteousness. Or, in other words, they SEEK and LOVE Christ and His righteousness.

This reminds me of how Song of Solomon puts it:

“I will rise now,”….. I will seek the one I love.”

(Song of Solomon 3:2)

Only those who have a heart that hungers for Christ and His righteousness out of genuine love for Him and have genuine love to seek Him are those who sincerely need present truth.

Stay tuned for part 4 of our series where we’ll explore the second characteristic of those who need present truth!

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

-Proverbs 8:17

Amen! Maranatha!