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“Understanding the Bible”
It is not uncommon to find those who have misconceptions about the content and message found in the Bible. There are many who seem to believe that the Bible cannot be understood by anyone, or believe that it’s message is too complex and confusing to derive from the text. If this is true, then the Bible would be rendered useless to mankind, and souls would be lost not out of ignorance, but rather out of inability to know the truth. However, by what we know about God and about what He has left for us in the Bible, we can be sure that His intent is not to confuse or perplex us, but rather to reveal truth to those seeking after it!
God Desires That We Be Saved
If what the Bible reveals about God is true, then we can understand that God is is certainly a loving God (John 3:16), who desires that we understand His will (1 Tim. 2:3-4), and wants all people to come to Him and be saved (2 Pet. 3:9). So, we have to ask, if God truly desires men to be come to understand the truth about Him, and if He truly wants all men to come to repentance, and if He truly loves us, then why would He conceal His important truths in a hard-to-read and hard-to-understand book?
God’s Will May Be Understood
Jesus spoke to crowds with words of clarity and familiarity, and His message was received gladly (Mark 12:37), because it was understandable and needed. Likewise, Paul’s message was understandable to his audience (Eph. 3:3-4). We can be sure that what we have recorded in the gospels and epistles are the true and simple words of Christ and His apostles; first-century audiences found great truths in these words, and so must we!
The Need For Study
Let us never think, however, that a clear understanding of scripture will come without any effort (or even hard work at times)! An understandable gospel is not a license for laziness, carelessness, or neglect – but rather God reveals to those who seek after truth! Paul has made it clear that we must study (2 Tim. 2:15) to understand, and Jesus has made it clear that we must seek to find! Peter even acknowledged that Paul wrote some things that were hard to understand (2 Pet. 3:15-16). At some times the truth will be easy for us to see, at other times we may have to think and study and reflect. May we approach both situations prayerfully with a will of determination, as well as an understanding that God wants us to learn about Him and will aid us in seeking after Him!
A Unique Book
With the Bible, the Lord has done something that is quite unique and quite difficult: He has created a book with a message, content, and charge that is both timeless and applicable to every generation, every race, and every social class – try to find another book that does that! The Bible will never be outdated, nor will it ever lose its power. God has, through His Son Jesus, solved once-and-for-all the greatest problem for mankind: sin will never stop bringing death, but the gospel will never stop saving those who are dead in sin! Until the Lord comes again to claim His faithful, may we spend our time studying, learning, and working to become the people God would have us to be!
