An Understanding
Preached by Apostle Aje Pelser, 16th September 2018
Harvester Reformational Church, Cape Town
To begin with, these scriptural definitions for “understanding” will set the framework for our thinking. The understanding of faith establishes as wonderful world for us to live in:
Heb 11:3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.
Understanding G3539 noieō (noy-eh’-o)From G3563;
to exercise the mind (observe), that is, (figuratively) to comprehend, heed: – consider, perceive, think, understand.
Pro 24:3 Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established;
Pro 24:4 By knowledge the rooms are filled With all precious and pleasant riches.
Understanding in the Hebrew context:
H8394 tâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh (taw-boon’, teb-oo-naw’, to-boo-naw’)
The second and third forms being feminine; from H995;
intelligence; by implication an argument; by extension caprice: – discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
Definition of “established”: Settled, stability, unchangeableness, constancy, persistence, rock, pillar, foundation, to stand fast, to weather the storm, firm, anchored, deep rooted, irrevocable, irreversible, locate, house, lodge, become a habitation for God through the Spirit finally pitch camp. Strong’s H3559
Greek work for establish: stērizō Stayridzo – G4741
“to turn resolutely in a certain direction”
In order to have an understanding with someone, you have to have a special relationship. There are unspoken laws and references to a long history and a fondness that allows room to make mistakes. But there is also a responsibility to remain transparent so that the understanding can continue – that understanding is so precious that you willing to work through anything together to preserve it. Without Jesus we would never have had an understanding with the Father, the fact that Jesus came to earth when He was sent, opened up new levels of understanding so that our relationship with the Father can grow.
1Jn 5:20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
1st Level of Understanding: God is motivated by love.
Jesus was sent so we can have eternal life, not to condemn us.
Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Joh 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
The motivation of God is love for the world – some have a picture that God is out to prove us wrong – that understanding is based on old covenant thinking. He is out to give us salvation and He proved it by offering His Son for us on the cross. If you come to God with love in mind, you access a new level of life too. It also changes your reasons for doing things – your motivation is based more on more for love for God and humanity.
2nd Level of Understanding: Truth is a Person.
Jesus is the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him. Truth is a person. When you are caught in a lie, the Truth speaks within you to change. Knowing a person, your understanding is improved when you allow the truth to set you free and the fact that you are friends, releases love that will cover a multitude of sins. Protect the understanding you have with the one you love. This changes our motivation from covering ourselves when caught in sin, to allowing our understanding to lead us from within. We no longer desire to mess up the level of relationship and intimacy we have. This is where the Truth sets us free.
3rd Level of Understanding: Our position has changed.
Our understanding Jesus as Lord, places us in Him and therefore on His level with God as Sons and Dau
