Oftentimes, we are quick to assert to knowledge read or listened to via testimonies of others or Scriptures we come across when studying the Bible. We affirm claims like “God is good” – “all the time”, “God is too faithful to fail”, “it is well with the righteous”. The question here is, “have these words you profess to believe in become your personal experience or testimony? When others are using certain Scriptures to give or render their testimony and you say that you claim it in Jesus name – the question here is are you ready walk with the laid down guidelines or principles that can deliver the testimony of the Word to you as life and not letter. The letter kills but the Spirit gives life – which comes via understanding.

Understanding does not jump on people, it comes via experience. Let us look at this Scripture together in John 2, after Jesus chose His disciples, the third day marked the beginning of the disciples’ experience and understanding of the One whom they have dedicated their life to. From this point in John 2, the disciples left the crowd who just read Scriptures, to the few who understand the Scriptures. They exited the class of those who had knowledge to a new class of understanding. The transited from better to life. With this transition, they were able to relate with the Scriptures and it now made sense to them. They can say “now I see” instead of the former “I know”.

Through wisdom is an house built; and by understanding it is established

Proverbs 24:3

Understanding the Word comes by walking in the Word via the Spirit. After the disciples were chosen, they did not gain understanding of Jesus (the Word) until they started a walk with Him. Every walk with the Word provides you with untold and incomparable understanding of God.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galillee, and manifested forth His glory; and his disciples believed on Him.

John 2:11

The disciples believed Jesus (the Word) when they saw the word at work. We do not believe God just by reading the Scriptures, our faith is built when we experience the Word – which can only be delivered when we walk with the word daily.

And his disciples remembered that it was written, the zeal of thine house has eaten me up

John 2:17

The position of understanding is the place of establishment. Just like in Proverbs 24:3; our life is built on wisdom but only established – solidified by our experiences with the Word of God which comes by understanding. The disciples’ witnessing of Christ was established by their understanding of Him. The walked with Him for three and half years of daily encounters of understanding and remembrance of Scriptures that they hitherto knew but now they understand them.

Friends, until we leave the place of knowledge and  seek understanding by walking with the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Holy Spirit) we will not have personal testimonies like Peter, John, Matthew, Luke, Thomas, Nathanael, Philip, Andrew, James, Barthlomew & Simon; who rose up as Apostles of the Lamb and testified of Him is complete understanding of their experiences and not an outburst of accumulated knowledge.

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard

Acts 4:20

Peter and John were bold to make this statement because of their personal testimony – their understanding that have established them as witnesses. What have you seen?  What have you heard? What have you come to understand about God and His word? These are what will guarantee your establishment in the Kingdom of God and the same will grant you access to your personal testimony.