Exploring Christian Faith: Knowing Your Answers and Growing Your Relationship
Why is it important to be a Christian who has deep knowledge about your faith? Is it necessary to know every detail to be saved? And what can we learn from the verses in the Bible that reflect on our understanding or lack thereof?
Faith in Essence
Faith is not about having all the answers; it is about embracing the knowledge that comes from believing the Holy Bible and trusting in Christ as your Personal Saviour, as you are saved through Him. The Holy Spirit binds you to divine grace, opening the door to eternity in heaven. As a born-again Christian, you do not need to know everything, but you should continue to seek answers, pray, and read the Holy Bible to grow in your understanding.
Ultimately, the way to be a Christian is to live your life in the way Jesus did: with justice, peace, reconciliation, and self-giving. While having extensive head-knowledge about your faith is commendable, it is not essential. All you need to know is 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbour as yourself.' Living this out is the essence of Christian faith.
A Personal Example
One of the best Christian women I knew was my mother. She was not a Bible scholar or someone who would quote scriptures extensively, but she was a true Christian in her actions. She loved her neighbour, embodying the teachings of Christ in her daily life. If being knowledgeable was a requirement for salvation, no one would be saved. This is why we study Scripture—because it helps us understand the way of the Lord and the path to righteousness.
Scripture and Understanding
Scripture often highlights our struggle with understanding. In Jeremiah 4:22, we read: 'My people are foolish, they have not known me; wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.' This speaks to the issue of understanding and obedience. Jeremiah 5:4 says, 'Therefore, I said, surely these are poor, they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD nor the judgment of their God.'
Similarly, in Jeremiah 5:21, we find: 'Hear now this, O foolish people and without understanding, which have eyes and see not, which have ears and hear not.' These verses speak to the importance of seeking spiritual insight and understanding the ways of God. Isaiah 1:3-4 adds to this theme with: 'O Lord, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou for thy name's sake' and 'Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel to anger, they are gone away backward.'
Putting Faith into Practice
Take the story of a 'Ruth' in a Christian relationship. If someone were to call their girlfriend 'Ruth,' it might sound a bit foreign and confusing. However, like in the Bible, the name 'Esther' could be a fitting title to someone in a Christian relationship, a 'night' where true understanding and love prevail. Just as the ox knows its owner and the ass its master's crib, so should Christians understand their relationship with the Lord. Isaiah 26:16 reflects on the importance of seeking God in times of trouble: 'LORD in trouble have they visited thee; they poured out a prayer when thy chastening was upon them.'
While delving into biblical knowledge is valuable, the ultimate goal is to have a loving, understanding, and faith-based relationship with God. Notably, the verses in Isaiah 1:3-4 serve as a stark reminder of the importance of being in tandem with God's paths: 'But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock (tree) is a doctrine of vanities. O the transgressions of Israel, the stubbornness of the wicked: I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from them.'
Conclusion
As Christians, our faith is not defined by our knowledge alone. Faith is deeper; it is a relationship with God built on love, mercy, and understanding. By seeking knowledge through the Holy Bible, prayer, and reflection, we can grow closer to God and ensure that our actions are in line with His teachings. Let us not forget that the emphasis is on living a life that reflects Christ and spreading His love to others.