A Day-by-day devotional

April 11, 2023

Knowing nothing

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 20-22

Scripture of the Day: Colossians 2:2-3

It is true that the more we study God’s Word, the more we get to know Him. His being, however, is way more vast than the whole universe and beyond put together. Hence, we can never really know everything about Him. He reveals Himself to us only as He sees necessary. He made Himself known to us, yet He remains a mystery.

There’s a famous story, for instance, while the theologian Augustine was walking at shore. His mind was filled with thoughts about the Trinity. He saw a boy who admitted to trying to fill up a hole he dug with all of the water from the ocean. He told the boy how that is impossible. The boy in turn replied to him, “It is far more impossible for you to understand the mystery of the triune God.“

In light of Scripture, interpretation is best based also on Scripture. Although there are helpful extra biblical texts, with our limited human mind, we could only but interpret it according to our understanding. It is true that we all have the same Holy Spirit living in us. He guides us in our knowledge and understanding of the truths about God, the universe and all matters pertaining to Him. Nonetheless, since we are mere humans, no interpretation can claim total infallibility.

In two different worship services, at different parts of the world, with two different pastors preaching on the same topic on the very same Sunday, for instance, hermeneutics and theology could vary. The exegesis of one would not always be the same as the other. Nonetheless, unless the bible explicitly states something in toto, and what they are saying is directly opposing anything stated word for word in the bible, the interpretation cannot be considered heretical. Not unless something is stated clearly in the bible, or completely supported by the bible, without the extension of human elucidation, could we claim a statement to be absolute. Only the Scripture itself is God‘s Word. It and only it is God-breathed. Any interpretation, explanation, calculation, of anything that it does not explicitly state, would always be a matter of interpretation, subject to the interpreter’s perspective. And such, will still always be just human.

If you then, have questions about God’s Word and you feel unsettled in your spirit and confused in your mind, fear not! The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. Nonetheless, we should not aim and aspire to know everything about God. We cannot. He is far too great for our feeble and limited minds to understand.

Reflection: Have you got questions about your faith that keeps troubling you? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance. However, feel comforted that your simple faith is enough. You do not have to know everything now. For when we see Him face to face, it is only then that we can truly know. As the Greek philosopher Socrates has put it, “All I know is that I know nothing.“ And that, is actually okay.

Prayer: Dear God, your Word is truth and I believe it. I want to get to know you better each and everyday. However, if there are things I cannot truly understand, help me know Jesus, that knowing you would always be more than enough. If I know you, I know the Father, and I have the Holy Spirit. Amen.