Whether a baby is learning to swallow food, sit up or walk, or a preschooler is learning to identify different colors and letters, learning is a process that takes time. Each skill has to be practiced. The progression goes forward when one skill has been mastered. Rushing it only leads to frustration and the wise parent/ teacher takes into consideration where the little one is and when they are ready to move forward. A preschooler just learning her numbers would never be expected to do algebra.
For new and old believers in JESUS the same principle is true. Every morning as I read the Bible I ask GOD to highlight something me that HE wants me to see. Sometimes it’s something I had never seen before- although I have read through the Bible multiple times. Whatever HE highlights it is HIM talking to me explaining to me what I need to see. Either HE teaches me something new, convicts me of something, expands my understanding, points out a verse to use in a lesson, or shows me something HE wants me to do.
I love it that JESUS was made like us in all ways (Hebrews 2:17), even to being tempted in all points like us (but without sin) so we know that HE understands us thoroughly and can sympathize with our weaknesses and know exactly what help we need to get through (Hebrews 4:15-16, 7:25).
Since that is true, the LORD knows where we are at in knowing HIM and what HE wants of us (our spiritual growth in becoming like JESUS Romans 8:29). HE never expects more than we can handle with HIM! (Philippians 2:13, 4:13). That being true we cannot compare ourselves with others for each of us are different in gifting, jobs, and our level of maturity.
The ALMIGHTY gave us HIS word and teachers, so we can learn the whole counsel of GOD and partake of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:1-4). By Bible study and prayer we get to understand what GOD wants us to do. But we need to read the whole Bible; both the Old and New testaments.
Things we find in the last book of the Bible will help us understand the 1st book of the Bible. One example is that in Genesis, the 1st book of the Bible we read about a serpent but it is in the last book of the Bible- in Revelation 20:2 where we are told who that serpent is.
You cannot just take one portion of the Bible by itself and claim that is all GOD is or wants. The Word of GOD is like a zig saw puzzle with many, many pieces. Each piece may tell a part of the story but the whole picture is only seen when the pieces of the puzzle are put together.
That is why Paul earnestly sought to teach all the counsel of GOD (Acts 20:27). That is why I give references to what I share with you and why they come from all over the Bible. But look up those verses and check if what I am saying is true for we live in a day when many false teachers and deceivers twist Scripture to get you to do or think what they want.
Praise the LORD, when we accepted JESUS as our Savior by believing that HE died for our sins, was raised to life again and called on HIM to save us (Romans 10:9-10, 13) we were born into GOD’s family (John 1:13-14) and GOD our heavenly FATHER gave us the HOLY SPIRIT to live within us to teach us, lead us in the way we should go and empower us to do what GOD wants us to do (John 7:38-39, 14:26, 16:13, Acts 1:8). The HOLY SPIRIT helps us understand the Bible (1 Corinthians 2:10-13) and will let us know when something is not right. In that way the HOLY SPIRIT warns us about false teaching, so it is important to pay attention to those little checks of uneasiness HE gives us and check out what is being said by searching the scriptures to see if what is being said is true (Acts 17:11).
Hugs
Sharon
wakemyear 