Luke 1:3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,

This is the only time in the KJV bible that these two words are put together, perfect understanding. Let me expand on the “all things” for a moment and remind ourselves that the “all things” comment refers to what Luke says in verse 1, “those things which are most surely believed among us”. It is not in all things but refers specifically about those things which were in common belief about the events surrounding the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Nothing else is in question as to what is contained in all things.

John 4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.

Here the Samaritan woman expresses her understanding of the coming Messiah’s ability to express all things, but is her understanding correct?

John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

Here Jesus expresses a perfect understanding of what the Father is doing in that moment with the purpose of glorifying the Father. All things are limited to an event or events as revealed.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Here all things is inclusive only of those things which Jesus said and wants repeated, not everything under the sun.

1 Corinthians 13:9-10 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

So then when perfection comes, that which we knew in part, we shall no longer know.

We know nothing as we should know it. (1 Corinthians 8:2)

Genesis 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

I always looked at Adam’s hiding from God as a matter of shame. It was always seen by me as a matter of being caught with my hand in the cookie jar. I knew better and I got caught. Then this morning I had the opportunity to look at it with fresh eyes.

Adam got a good look at himself and did not like what he saw.

Being exposed is all about how it makes you feel about yourself, not what others think about you. Adam had always been naked and it did not bother God. God’s original design did not include “the cover up”.

How I came to this new conclusion was found in a rather strong emotional reaction to the behaviors of others in Old Testament stories. My reaction said absolutely nothing about those characters, their behaviors, nor the outcome. It did however expose me to that mirror that does not lie.

It forced me to take a good long look at myself and why I should have such a strong emotional reaction to something that happened to someone else more than three thousand years ago. God allows us to be wrong in those moments to expose ourselves to ourselves.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

There was no righteousness in my judgment. I allowed my emotions to take the judgment seat in my mind. I deemed, I judged, I felt and in so doing put my judgment before God’s.

Where judgment takes the lead, condemnation soon follows.

If I cannot allow Christ in me to judge every moment in my life, I will start acting out the condemnation that will surely follow. That affects how I talk to people and how I respond to the actions of others.