Five Biblical Truths Christians Must Learn & Understand

If we were to encapsulate in five points what the Lord wants us to learn from the Bible, what would they be? The answer to this could look different for many people, as the Lord speaks to His children individually and personally. But I can imagine there are countless truths we can learn from the Bible, and it may take a lifetime to know all of them.

Biblical truths are constant, just as God is constant and does not change. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

I have read the Bible from cover to cover a couple of times and through the New Testament a few more times than the Old Testament separately. I’m not saying I understand all of it—at least, not until I reach heaven. And every time I read and re-read the Scripture, it comes alive and reads me instead. Hebrews 4:12 is so true:

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Pondering this, there are five important truths the Lord has placed in my heart to take from His Word, and I’d like to share them with you.

Regardless of our denomination, the nuances in how we express our faith and beliefs, and the doctrine we adhere to, I am convinced that the Lord wants us to learn and understand:

1. Who God is

2. What God has done for us

3. Who we are in Christ

4. The power and authority He has bestowed on us

5. How to effectively use our power and authority to live a godly and victorious life among God’s people in a corrupt world

God does not expect, nor has He required us, to completely understand all the details of the Bible. That’s like forcing a finite mind to comprehend an infinite God. Jesus did not expect His disciples to get it while He was with them for three years. Eventually they did, after they received the Holy Spirit and had to rely on Him to understand what was going on in light of the Scripture.

Jesus replied to His disciples in John 13:7, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

Even the apostle Paul didn’t claim to know everything about God and the Word. He said to the Corinthians, “In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.”

1 Corinthians 13:12 (The Living Bible)

Having said all this, and despite realizing that we will never completely understand God and His Word while we are on earth, He wants us to study it daily and receive it with faith. The Holy Spirit will illuminate the Word in our hearts and remind us of it when we need it.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
20 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates,

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (NIV)

My son, keep my words
and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
write them on the tablet of your heart.

Proverbs 7:1-3 (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 (NIV)

But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
John 16:13 (NIV)

Understanding these five fundamental biblical truths will require discipline in every believer to study, learn, and apply the Word in their daily lives. It is essential to our spiritual growth to be students of the bible, to have a lifestyle and habit of daily seeking Him. If we seek Him, He will reveal Himself to us and give us knowledge and wisdom so we may gain a deeper understanding of who He is, who we are in Christ, and what His purpose is for our lives.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:5

The apostle Peter had this to say in 2 Peter chapters 1 and 3 to remind believers of what they were taught about Jesus and to encourage them to live godly lives. He said that God has given us everything we need to live godly lives, and that is through our knowledge of Him— Jesus is revealed to us in His Word and through the Holy Spirit.

3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
2 Peter 1:3-4

In the same way, the apostle Peter wrote 2 Peter 3:13, 17-18 to admonish the church that Jesus is coming back, and everything that we know on earth will be destroyed and therefore, we should strive to lead godly lives. Lastly, he wanted believers to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.

11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

17 Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Reflection:

How about you? What are the truths you have learned from the Bible? Do you have a top 5 list?

How do these truths affect how you live?

How do you apply these truths to your life?

In your daily reading and study, what does the Scripture teach you about the following?

· Who is God? How does He reveal Himself to me?

· Do I recognize what has God done for me?

· Do I know who I am in Christ?

· What is the power and authority that God has given me?

· How can I effectively use this power and authority to live a godly and victorious life among God’s people in a corrupt world?

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