We Hear in Part - Dr. Leonard Hoffman / The Time Line New Testament Bible

 

We Hear in Part

In our journey through the Bible, one central theme we encounter is the concept of "Creation." This theme encompasses the narrative of how God brought the world into existence, as detailed in Genesis. Exploring this topic further would require an entire article of its own, but these are the key elements outlined in God's Word. In chapters one and two, we read that across six days, God formed the separation between light and darkness, sky and the seas, land, sun and moon, plant life, animals, and humans, illustrating His divine craftsmanship and care for His creation. There is more in Genesis; however, than just God wanting to create something. It is tucked away and written within the pages that describe the beginning of human life on earth. 

It's not good to be alone.

In Genesis, a profound revelation of God emerges from a simple statement. In Chapter 2, verse 18, God declares that it is not good for man to be alone, referring to the creation of man in His image. This suggests that God, in creating humanity, desired fellowship, not out of loneliness but out of a desire for intimate connection. While creating servants capable of His work might have been practical, the concept of personal fellowship with human beings free to choose Him or not reflects a deeper desire for love freely given in return.

God’s continuous communication.

From the Garden of Eden to the pages of Revelation, God the Father has consistently sought personal fellowship with mankind, communicating in ways understandable to humanity. In earlier times, communication with God seemed limited, and when people failed to respond and follow God’s ways, corrective measures often followed to steer them back toward fellowship with God. As relationships developed and understanding grew, God's methods of communication to man shifted from the Old Testament into the New Testament, always aiming to draw humanity closer to direct, intimate fellowship with God, akin to the communion seen in the Garden. 

It was bit by bit and in many ways that God in olden times spoke to our forefathers through the prophets, but in these latter days He has spoken to us through a Son, whom He has appointed lawful owner of everything, and through whom He had made the worlds.

Heb. 1:1-2 TLNT Bible

I no longer call you slaves, because the slave does not know what his master is doing; I now call you friends, because I have told you everything that I have learned from My Father.

John 15:15 TLNT Bible

Spiritual eyes and ears need to be opened.

One outcome of God communicating in ways comprehensible to us is that our understanding of Him is sometimes shaped by our perspectives and beliefs, rather than His complete holy nature. While God is perfect, our limitations and life's timing mean our interpretations may be flawed or incomplete. Even our most profound revelations of Jesus are constrained, not by God's secrecy, but by our finite ability to grasp the fullness of God's nature.

For now, we see a dim reflection in a looking glass, but then we shall see face-to-face, now what I know is imperfect, but then I shall know perfectly, as God knows me.

1 Cor. 13:12 TLNT Bible

How should we live our lives?

1.     Above all else stay humble. Realize that at our best and deepest understanding of life, there is still far more of God for us to receive and comprehend. Walk in the best and fullest understanding that we can walk in with confidence that He is guiding us and will continue with us every step of the way. This is a journey with several pitstops, turns, hills, and valleys so take time to stop, listen, and wait on the Lord to guide us.

2.     The Bible teaches us that one of the things the Holy Spirit does is to bring back to our remembrance words and teachings that Jesus has spoken. With that in mind, we must give the Holy Spirit the desires of our hearts and the talents that the Lord has already given us. Most of all, we must allow the Holy Spirit to have access to our time. One way to do this is to simply spend time reading the Bible. As you do ask the Holy Spirit to speak and reveal the Word of God into your heart, let Him explain to you what He truly wants and not what we think we need. 

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send to represent Me, will teach you everything Himself, and cause you to remember everything that I have told you.

John 14:26 TLNT Bible

3.     As you begin to grow further in this relationship with the Holy Spirit, He will show you areas of your life that must be changed. Making this adjustment, submitting to deeper personal convictions, and surrendering to His plans for your life will draw you closer to Him.  This process will also draw you closer to others who have the same “precious faith” as you do, and it will reveal to you those who are currently in your life who cannot go with you on this sacred destiny. As sad and harsh as this may sound, it is true! That does not mean they are not good enough or have failed in some way. It’s just that at every season in life there will be some who will go another direction and some who will decide to walk with you. It may be hard to let some people go but God will show you how to do it and what to do.  He cares for them just as much as He cares for you.  He is not removing a blessing from them; He is leading them into greater blessing just as He is you.

4.     Stay in close fellowship with people who are from your tribe, these are individuals who have the same passion to pursue the fullness of the Spirit and nature of God. Ones to whom God has connected you. Even if you don’t know why.

As touched on in the paragraph above, it is wise to be leery of those who seem spiritual but do not have an intimate relationship with the written Word.

Make sure there are some in your group who are deeper in their walk with the Lord so they can challenge you to keep reaching for more of the beauty and wonder of God. Without these close fellowships and meetings with one another, we are very limited in our growth in God.  Our ability to hear the Lord and more clearly understand God’s voice expands exponentially as their clarity helps us see beyond our limited view. Elders and more seasoned people are an absolute must in our lives if we truly want to grow in our relationship with God.