Many in the world today are under the impression that God’s word simply can’t be understood.
They use this misconception to justify their lack of study and to justify religious division. Often
we’ll hear phrases like “Your understanding and my understanding” or, “The Bible says one thing
to you but it says something else to me.” These beliefs, although popular and sincerely believed by
many, are just not true. Why view the Bible in this way? Men view no other book in this way.
What about the Math book? No one believes that it says one thing to you and has another meaning
for me. The same is true with English grammar books, Novels, Sports writings etc.. When God
revealed His word to man, He only had one message in mind. Let’s see what the Bible says about
this.
The apostle Paul commanded, “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will
of the Lord is.” (Eph. 5:17. Why would God command us to understand something that can’t be
understood? In Ephesians chapter three, Paul, while talking about the Gospel being revealed to
him, wrote in verse 4, “by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ.” Again, Paul said that it can be understood. In order to understand God’s
word, one must, (1) Be willing to do God’s will. If a person reads a portion of Scripture with
which he disagrees, or maybe it necessitates a change in his life that he is not willing to make, he
simply brushes it off by saying, “that’s not what it means, I can’t understand it.” Jesus said, “If
anyone wills to do His will, he shall know of the doctrine...” (Jn. 7:17). You must will to do
God’s will, not yours, before you can open up your heart to a proper understanding of His word.
(2) One must diligently study it. Without many hours of study one cannot come to a proper
understanding of much of God’s word. This is why Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself
approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth.” 2 Tim. 2:15. Peter tells us that some of the Scripture is “difficult” (not impossible) to
understand (2 Pet. 3:16). Therefore, it is going to take some time and effort to understand them.
But many are too busy to really study God’s word, this is why many don’t understand it. God’s
word can be understood!
What kind of God would God be if He revealed His will to us in His book, then made it
impossible for us to understand? A cruel, unfair, unjust God indeed! Are you ready to attribute
these characteristics to God? I’m not. But whenever you say that God’s word can’t be
understood, this is just what you’re doing. Again, folks don’t understand God’s word because they
aren’t willing to do His will, and they don’t spend enough time studying it! Open your hearts, have
a mind to submit to God’s will, study the word, and you will understand it!
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