"The More We See, the More We Don't See"

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1).



The nature of God transcends normal human thinking and expression. By definition, it is impossible to be "with" someone that you "are." The Lord Jesus Christ, however, was both with God in the beginning, and He was God. He also occupied both aspects in eternity past because God is everlastingly who and what He is. "From everlasting to everlasting, Thou art God... I am the Lord; I change not" (Psalm 90:2; Malachi 3:6).


This truth presents to us the understanding that concerning the most important reality of our lives, God, we cannot understand. We can know Him and comprehend His truth as the Holy Spirit illuminates our heart and mind, and we can do so well enough to live lives of consistent godliness. However, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that "The things of God knoweth no man," and "If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" (I Corinthians 2:11; 8:2). The brightest light of our being is that which acknowledges our ignorance of God. " Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth" (John 9:41).


Born again believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have a clear word to declare to our world, the very Word of God faithfully interpreted and uttered. When communicated through the Holy Spirit, it speaks propositional truth that can be grasped by the hearer, and which leaves him with no excuse if he rejects it. However, the God whom we preach is of such infinite greatness that knowing Him humbles us with the awareness that He is beyond our normal definition of "knowing." The more we see, the more we realize that we don't see, and the more we understand that illumination and blindness will forever exist together within the heart of those who somehow know that which cannot be known.


This is unwelcome truth to a race of beings infected with the lie believed by Adam that "ye shall be as gods" (Genesis 3:5). Even devoted believers are tempted to be proud of the knowledge that "puffeth up" (I Corinthians 8:1). We do better to emphasize the "knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know" truth that humbles. It matters not how far we've come in the knowledge of our ineffable Lord. The journey's just begun. We will always feel this way because we are seeking the Infinite as we join David's quest: "My soul followeth hard after Thee" (Psalm 63:8). Complete knowledge is therefore impossible, and even much knowledge is minuscule in the light of God's infinity. There is no more thrilling thought. And there is no more illuminating thought.



"His greatness is unsearchable."
(Psalm 145:3)