UNDERSTANDING

Some religions are based upon philosophical premises that are embraced emotionally, apart from intellectual substance. That is not the case with Christianity. Christianity is grounded in history, and there are historical facts and concepts that must be understood and endorsed, preliminary to accessing the blessings of the divine arrangement. One of the fundamental differences between the Mosaic system, and that of the religion established by Jesus, is this: the former incorporated the Hebrews into the covenant arrangement when they were born. Males were circumcised at eight days of age as a sign that they were under the covenant. But under the Christian economy, one first reaches a state of spiritual and moral responsibility; he then must be exposed to the facts of the gospel, understand and believe them, and, upon that basis, surrender to the truth (cf. Jer. 31:31-34; Mt. 13:14ff; Jn. 6:44-45; Acts 17:11; Eph. 1:18; 5:17). This is why it is so imperative that Christian teachers proclaim the truth accurately, clearly, and without compromise.