You Can Understand the Bible

Some people have the idea that the Bible cannot be understood. Perhaps they have been told this by “clergy” who say they are the ones who can understand and guide all others. It may be some say they cannot understand the Bible because they have begun by reading difficult parts, such as Revelation or the Old Testament prophets. Regardless of the reason, the fact is you can understand the Bible.

Paul wrote, “How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Eph. 3:3-4). We can read and understand God’s will. This is not to say we will understand all of God’s will the first time we sit down to read. The Bible takes into account that we must grow in knowledge (2 Pet. 3:18; Eph. 4:12-16; Heb. 5:11-14). As with any pursuit in life, it takes time and effort to have an expansive knowledge of God’s word. Yet, it is possible.

Are there difficult portions of the Bible? Yes. Peter wrote, “As also in all his [Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures” (2 Pet. 3:16). The book of Revelation is a challenging part of the Bible, one which is greatly misunderstood and misapplied. However, something difficult is not impossible–it can be understood.

If we cannot understand the Bible, then it is God’s fault, because He made both men and the Bible. Thankfully, we have the assurance of Christ when He said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (Jn. 8:32). The simple truth of salvation is that you must believe Jesus is the Son of God, confess such before men, repent of your sins and be baptized to have your sins washed away by the blood of Christ (Jn. 8:24; Lk. 12:8-9; Acts 3:19; 2:38; 22:16). “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).

Steven F. Deaton

Bible Lectureship

(March 17-20, 2024)

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