When we speak about people not understanding the truth, does it not also apply to Christians as well?

In the conclusion of our question from last week, we spoke about daily search and application of the truth.  The Christian must allocate time on a regular basis to a search of God’s Word.  The issue cannot be dismissed on the basis of someone saying that they are a “daily Bible reader”.  It requires effort to not only read the words but to understand what we are reading (Acts 8:31).  My salvation is not dependent on reading a newspaper, some book, magazine or some television program.  My salvation is dependent on developing a love for God that would be defined as loving Him with all my heart, soul and mind.  One cannot come to such a depth of love by just reading what the Bible is saying.  One must apply it on a daily basis.

We cannot afford to reach the conclusion that we have arrived and do not need any more diligent effort to know God’s will.  I cannot understand why this takes place in the hearts of those, especially, who have spent their life in preaching.  If a person gets to a level of knowledge in which they need no more study then pride kicks in and the soul will be lost unless they change.  Do you need evidence of such a claim?  Why then do not preachers, more so than others, fail to attend gospel meetings, lectureships or other venues where God’s Word is taught?  Implied if not stated is the attitude no one can teach them anymore because they already know all that is in the Word of God.  I would say to such men, then need a return to Matthew 5:3 and a “poverty of spirit”.

Why has our beloved brotherhood been so divided here of late?  Here is a broad stroke with the brush.  It is not because men do not know the truth.  It is because men do not love and obey the truth.  If our feelings get hurt because someone spoke something unkind to us, it does not give us the right to tear up the body of Christ.  To each of us, with our injured feelings, “get over it and get going”.  We need desperately the unity as portrayed by the anointing oil that flowed over Aaron’s beard down to the bottom of his garment (Psalm 133:2).  We need to confess, forgive one another and get busy trusting God to give the increase when we teach and live the Word of God.  Our feelings when injured can be soothed when our lives are hid in Christ (Colossians 3:3).