What’s the Big Deal?

June 13, 2025

I have learned the hard way that there are differences between hearing and listening, between listening and understanding, between understanding and believing, and between believing and the application of what I have come to believe.

I have also learned the hard way when I came to believe anything, it had to be either by rote or by persuasion. By learning by rote I mean memorization. For example, multiplication tables repeated over and over until the answers would become automatic. I wouldn’t have to reason them out each time it was needed.

Other things I learned by rote, later needed quite a bit of radical review.

In that case, understanding and believing takes a bit more time and effort.

First of all, understanding takes some considerable time and effort in the consideration of what I understood from some source and what is meant by what that source has said.

Then, some of my brain cells have to be used to develop my persuasion to believe and change my viewpoint of what I understood was being said…

I know this seems that I am making what we usually take for granted into a complex pile of small puzzle pieces — and I understand that one might instead say “a pile of b.s.” However, I hope my reasons become clear and readers are somewhat open minded and patient…

Just the same, like everything else, as for believing the Bible and the Gospel of Jesus, After I was first persuaded of its truth, I had to exercise its application.

Before that, I had learned the Bible stories only by rote in Sunday School. As an adult, that all needed a radical review.

Does God really exist? …Well, it’s a long story, but, again, I had to learn the hard way, that , most definitely, yes. God exists.

Next, I needed the very first part of the application. The result was that I began to realize and to understand that I, and I alone, was responsible for the mess I had made out of my life — and it was quite a mess — both substantial and overpowering. The fact was that I needed rescue from my deteriorating situation. I was drowning.

Now, I suppose for many other people, your lives have not been as self-destructive or in such desperate straits as mine. So, the need for change is not so obvious or apparent.

What can I say about that?

You are persuaded that you have never hurt or harmed anyone ever — at least, not that you know of — or, at least, not on purpose.

Okay, I’ll give you that.

Still, on the other hand, have you ever helped someone who has been hurt or harmed?

In asking this, my point is that there is a self-centered aspect, but there is also a generous one. I am asking you to go beyond your rote beliefs about yourself, and move to a deeper study.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? — Micah 6:8, NASB.

Well, sure. Many people at least try to be just, and they love to be kind — loving their neighbor and all that kind of thing. At least, we are kind to those who are kind to us…

As I just admitted, maybe you can check off the first two requirements.

Micah, however, has that third thing that we are less apt to do: to walk humbly with your God.

Of course, Micah is talking to those who were already in God’s sheepfold — Believers in the existence of the Almighty God.

Micah was speaking in the Biblical context — not within your own concept of God, or no God, or no god at all, or whatever transcendent authority you might give credence to…

Also, I should point out the significance of “humbly with,” It is another important qualifier — specifically, the word “with.”

What I am meaning to say is that when we work with a friend, “with” is being “used as a function word to indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement” * with that friend. (* — MerriamWebster.com)

God is requiring your participation in the arrangement He has provided in the Gospel of Jesus. This Gospel is both transactional, requiring our corresponding action, as well as a gift.

Learn to do good; Seek justice, rebuke the oppressor, obtain justice for the orphan, plead for the widow’s case.

“Come now, and let us debate your case,” says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall become as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be like wool. — Isaiah 1:17–28, NASB.

In a nutshell, that is the transactional part.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. — John 3:16–17, NASB.

That is the action, a bridge built on God’s part — His outstretched hand — His generous act in this transaction… and it turns out to be a gift! It’s not like we have to do much except take the step to believe He exists and to accept His gracious offer!

“He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18, NASB.

That is the part that explains the requirement for our action in our response to the offer of a transaction — Or perhaps I should say, “the deal God is offering”

Yet, this next is the best part, the concluding result promised for our active participation in the offer.

“For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for your welfare and not for calamity, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11, NASB.

Finally, my wife and I have found this promise to be an active truth… in our active relationship… within God’s active faithfulness… on the transaction of the Gospel promise:

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. — John 6:35, NASB.

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost… — Revelation 22:17, NASB.

Anne Wilson — 3:16 (Official Audio) *

Broken Vessels (Amazing Grace) — Hillsong UNITED *

Don Moen — I Will Sing (Live)*

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