<\/p>\n
\u201cI still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now\u201d (John 16:12).<\/p>\n
LEARNING WHAT WE NEED TO KNOW IS A GRADUAL PROCESS. At the present time, none of us can say that we\u2019ve received all of the truth the Lord has to impart. That is why serious study of the Scriptures should be a part of our daily activity. Each day, we need to be adding a little to our storehouse of knowledge.<\/p>\n
But coming to a full understanding of God\u2019s will involves more than study. Many things we come across in our study do not \u201csink in\u201d because we\u2019re not yet ready to hear them. Perhaps we\u2019ve not experienced the things in life that would allow us to see the real significance of what the Lord is saying. Perhaps we don\u2019t have the desire for obedience that would let us recognize the truth of particular passages. Or perhaps our study habits are not mature enough for us to penetrate the meaning of certain texts. There may be many reasons, but the bottom line is that we don\u2019t always hear what God\u2019s word is saying to us.<\/p>\n
To His apostles, Jesus said, \u201cI still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.\u201d These things would be made available to them later on, when they were more ready to receive them. This illustrates the fact that God is patient with those who are trying to learn. If we honestly want to do His will, He will see that we have the time and opportunity to learn. He will not ask us to understand more than we\u2019re able to receive at the present time.<\/p>\n
But therein lies the problem. Often, it is not our lack of ability<\/em> but our lack of willingness<\/em> to hear. As the Jewish proverb puts it, \u201cThe truth is not always what we want to hear.\u201d And even when the problem is a lack of ability, that lack of ability may be the result of neglect<\/em> on our part. If we\u2019ve not made growth in obedience a priority, it should come as no surprise that our understanding is immature and undeveloped. And if this is the case, we need to repent. We need to set ourselves the goal of greater obedience.<\/p>\n Lord, give me the strength to bear the full impact of the truth as it applies to me. Help me, for the sake of Your glory, to be willing to hear whatever I need to hear. Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cWe are the vessels, the containers, so that the first work after the new birth is to cultivate the habit of receptivity\u201d (Norman Grubb).<\/p>\n Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n