Thesis: To instill the fact in the hearers that the Bible “can” be understood, and to be aware of the obvious implications if this were not true.
Text: Eph 3:1-6
Eph 3:1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—
Eph 3:2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,
Eph 3:3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.
Eph 3:4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight (understanding) into the mystery of Christ,
Eph 3:5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by (in) the Spirit.
Eph 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Introduction,
Since that first Pentecost after the death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, God’s eternal purpose, the church, has been up and running. Since the 1st century the Christian Faith has been once and for all time delivered (Jude 3), God has made it a fully functioning, perfectly working, spiritual entity, both Jews and Gentiles are hearing the pure gospel of Christ, believing it, and obeying it; at which point He, God delivers them out of the power of darkness (sin thus Satan), and translates them into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col 1:13), He adds them to the church (Acts 2:47), into that one body (1 Cor 12:13);The fact that Gentiles also (along with the Jews), are now able to be equal heirs as “sons of God” through the gospel, through Jesus, is the specific mystery that has been revealed in our section of Scripture.
Our Lord did come to destroy the works of Satan (1 John 3:8), which is the grip he (Satan) had on mankind through sin, and Christ did accomplish this, in Christ we have been made free (John 8:32), free from the love of sin, free from the practice of sin, and free from the consequences of sin. But the devil is not taking this lying down.
He has sent and is still sending false teachers to confuse the average person of the truth of the gospel.
He, through evil individuals in the church took the word of God out of the hands of the common people for hundreds of years, in order that they may not hear, believe the truth, and obey it the way God wants them to (Rom 1:5; 16:26).
Throughout the last 200 years there has been an attack upon the Bible which asserts that it is not the product of God, but rather that of men, and there is little, if any truth from the Most High therein.
In more recent times Satan has brought about terrible Bible versions that actually add, subtract, and change the very words of the living God in support of certain doctrines of men.
This (the Bible) is main avenue that Satan has chose to combat the kingdom of God, and he couldn’t have chosen a better place to attack, for the “seed” that produces Christians is “the word of God” (Luke 8:11), and we can certainly conclude that without “seed” there is no possibility of a crop, thus if that seed can be taken away, or damaged, or not planted for some reason, there will be no Christians, for the Lord Himself said (Mt 15:13) . . .
Mat 15:13 . . .Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up.
Another avenue and very prevalent area of attack which Satan has put upon God’s word is to make the average person think that “it is incomprehensible,” “it can’t be understood,” that it’s likened to a bunch of “wise sayings” jumbled up and tossed together.
In the book “Faith of Our Fathers,” written by a man named Gibbons, on p. 73 it states thus "...the Scriptures ... are not of themselves clear and intelligible even in matters of the highest importance."
Many other religious people likewise claim that the average person cannot understand the Bible, even in matters essential to salvation.
11. There are several reasons why people “claim” the Bible cannot be understood . . .
1) They may have tried to study the Bible and found it difficult, so they gave up.
2) Some point to the “confusion and division” among those who claim to follow the Bible, so they conclude no one really understands it correctly.
3) Others want to “justify” the existence of these contradictory groups, so they say “no one can understand it and it does not matter.”
4) Yet even others believe truth is subjective; so whatever you believe, that is truth for you. There is no such thing as “a single proper understanding of the Scriptures.”
5) Some have been told repeatedly by religious leaders that “common people cannot understand the Bible, only trained leaders can understand,” so other individuals must accept the word of these "official" interpreters.
11. The purpose of this study is to show “by the Bible itself” that the average person “can” understand it, and in a manner so as to believe, obey, and inherit eternal life.
12. I do not claim that a full understanding of the Bible comes easily, nor that I can personally answer correctly every question one may ask.
13. But I do defend the fact that the Bible teaches that the honest seeker of truth can understand God’s word sufficient enough to be saved, the Lord Himself said (John 8:32) . . .
Joh 8:32 . . .you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
14. So we will look at this subject from 3 basic points . . .
1) God's Character Proves that the Bible Can Be Understood.
2) The Old Testament Demonstrates that the Bible Can Be Understood.
3) Why Then Do So Many People Not Understand the Bible?
I. GOD’S CHARACTER PROVES THAT THE BIBLE CAN BE UNDERSTOOD.
A. The Bible repeatedly claims to be God's word. (2 Sam 23:2; Jer 1:9; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 14:37; Ephesians 3:3-5; Galatians 1:8-12; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16,17)
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by (given by inspiration of) God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Pe 1:21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
1. If the Bible is God's word, if it came from Him, then it must harmonize with Him, with God's nature. I believe when we study the Bible we can clearly see and understand God's nature (Rom 11:22).
Rom 11:22 Note (Behold) then the kindness (goodness) and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
2. Thus it follows, we must also believe that we can understand the Bible in other matters, for to claim that we cannot understand the Bible is either to deny that it is God's word or to attack the character of God Himself.
a. The following aspects of God's character prove that we can understand the Bible.
B. “God's Wisdom and Power” demand that the Bible be understandable.
1. God revealed His word through inspired men for the “purpose” of making known His will to individuals, in 1 Tim 2:3-4 (turn there) it is written . . .
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
a. God does not want “some” to understand, while “others” are incapable.
b. He wants “all” to be saved and know the truth.
c. The Scriptures were revealed by God to teach and instruct us in righteousness and to make us complete in the sight of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17), they give us “all things”, all the instruction that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3)
d. The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for “everyone” who believes (Romans 1:16)
e. God manifested (made known, revealed) His word through the message which was entrusted to Paul according to God's command (Tit 1:1-3)
f. God wants “everyone” to know His will, and the inspired men revealed
His will so all nations “could” know it, believe it, and be obedient to it (see Romans 16:25-26).
Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen (establish) you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
Rom 16:26 but has now been disclosed (manifested) and through the (scriptures of the prophets) prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith—
2. The very words in the Bible were chosen by the all-wise, all-powerful God (1 Thess 2:13).
3. Inspired men received God's Spirit so they could know what God revealed and could speak the words which the Holy Spirit taught them. (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
4. Inspired men did not have to worry about how or what to speak, because it would be given them what to speak. It was not them speaking but the Spirit of the Father speaking in them (Matthew 10:19-20).
a. Therefore if God gave the message to inspired men so we can “know” God's will, then He must have intended to give an “understandable” message. If we cannot understand the message, then God has failed in His purpose.
b. But how can an all-wise, all-powerful God fail to do what He intends to do? To claim that the
Word cannot be understood is to deny that God is all-wise and all-powerful: for He tried to give a revelation that people could understand, but He lacked the wisdom or power to do so.
c. But if we believe that “God is all-powerful and all-wise,” then we must also believe that He cannot fail and that He did not fail. Therefore we can understand the message of the gospel sufficiently to be saved.
C. “God's Justice, Love and Grace” demand that the Bible be understandable.
1. “Justice” is the quality by which God treats individuals fairly, in accordance with whether they have or have not done His will.
2. “Love” is that quality by which God actively shows good will toward humanity, seeking our well being.
3. “Grace” is the quality by which God shows favor to individuals, that they might have the hope of eternal life, though they do not deserve it (Luke 17:10).
a. We have seen that God has revealed His will through inspired men so people “could know” what He expects of them, and know “how” to receive eternal life.
b. But if that message “cannot be understood,” how then is God a just, gracious, loving God?
4. God commands and requires people to understand His word.
a. Consider the following passages. If understanding is impossible, then how can God require these things of person and still be just, loving, and gracious? (turn to Eph 5:17)
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish (unwise), but understand what the will of the Lord is.
b. Does a just, loving, gracious God require what is impossible? (turn to 2 Tim 2:15)
2Ti 2:15 Do your best (give diligence) to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
c. How can one handle rightly a message he cannot understand?
d. Faith comes by hearing God's word (Rom 10:17),
Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (God).
d. “And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto God” (Heb 11:6),
e. But how can a message create faith in a heart that cannot understand the message?
It is written in Mk 7:14 (turn there). . .
Mar 7:14 And he called the people (multitudes) to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand:
e. Jesus' teachings were intended for the common people (the multitudes), and He “expected” and “commanded” them “all” (everyone) to “understand” His teachings.
f. In Matthew 13, Mark 4, and Luke 8 we learn that the seed of the kingdom is the word of
God (Luke 8:11), those whom the Lord considers to have “good and honest hearts” are those who “heard”, “understood” (Mt 13:23), “accepted” (Mk 4:20) and “held fast” the word (Luke 8:15), not those with a “P.H.D.”
g. Those that were not ultimately saved came to that state because of their own choosing, they didn’t want to understand, they didn’t want to endure the attacks of Satan, they loved riches, the world, more than God.
h. So if God requires and commands “all people” to understand, and we “must understand” to have His approval and to have faith. Yet how can God be just, loving, and gracious in these requirements, if in fact understanding is impossible?
5. God will judge people and reward them eternally according to their obedience to His word, Jesus said,
Joh 12:48 . . . the word that I spake, the same shall judge him in the last day.
a. Paul inspired of God, wrote . . .
Rom 2:16 . . . God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
b. In Rev 20:12 it is written . . .
Rev 20:12 . . . the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (of the Bible), according to their works.
c. Paul in preaching to the Athenians stated (Acts 17:30-31) . . .
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
d. In 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 it is written that “the Lord Jesus will come in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who “know not” God, and on those who “obey not” the gospel ... These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.”
6. Therefore all people will be judged according to Jesus' word, the gospel, the books of the Bible,
those who do not obey the gospel will be punished, and ignorance will be no excuse.
a. God revealed His word in order to give us knowledge of what we must obey.
b. But if we cannot understand the message, we have no choice but to be ignorant and disobey.
c. Then how can God be just and condemn people for disobeying or being ignorant of a message that is impossible to understand?
d. How can He say He really loves us and extends grace (favor) to save us, if we cannot understand the only means whereby we can be saved?
e. Therefore to say we cannot understand God's word is to deny the “justice, love, and grace of God.”
7. Yet if we believe in God's “justice, love, and grace,” then we must conclude that we can understand the Scriptures, at least to the point that we are not ignorant, can believe, obey, and be saved.
C. “God's Truthfulness and Faithfulness” demand that the Bible be understandable.
1. God always speaks truth (John 17:17) . . .
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth: thy word is truth.
a. And always keeps His promises (Tit 1:2) . . .
Tit 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Heb 6:18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us:
b. In the following passages He has stated or promised that His word is understandable.
c. In 2 Timothy 3:15-17 it states (turn there). . .
2Ti 3:15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with (known) the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out (inspired) by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
d. How could the Scriptures make us wise, complete and profit us in these things if we cannot understand them?
e. In Isaiah 55:11 it states (look there). . .
Isa 55:11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty (void), but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
f. But if we cannot understand it, then it does not prosper (succeed) nor does it accomplish that which He sent it for.
g. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 it is written . . .
1Co 14:33 for God is not a God of confusion, but of peace . . .
h. But if the Bible cannot be understood, then God would indeed be a God of confusion.
2. These passages are clear statements or promises that God gave a message that we “can” understand.
a. But if we cannot understand, then God did not speak the truth and did not keep His promises.
b. To deny that the Bible can be understood is to deny that God is truthful and faithful to His word.
c. But if we believe that God is “true and faithful,” then we must believe that we can understand the Bible, as the Lord stated in John 8:32 . . .
Joh 8:32 . . . you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
II. THE OLD TESTAMENT DEMONSTRATES THAT THE BIBLE CAN BE UNDERSTOOD
God gave the Old Testament to Israel using similar methods by which He gave the New Testament to us (miraculously, through chosen individuals, by His Spirit). Consider some lessons we can learn…
A. God gave the Old Testament for the purpose of revealing His will; then He promised that men could understand it, as seen in the Psalms (Ps 119:98-99; 104-105; 130) . . .
Psa 119:98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
Psa 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
Psa 119:104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Psa 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psa 119:130 The unfolding (entrance) of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.
God’s word states that it gives light, light refers to revealing truths hidden by darkness, the darkness of sin and error, of our various bias’, it imparts understanding to the simple, understandings of truths that make us wiser than the teachers of the things of this world (Ps 19:7-8, 11).
Psa 19:7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple;
Psa 19:8 the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes;
Psa 19:11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
2. How could the Law of God do any of these things if people could not understand it?
3. Even people in New Testament times were “capable” of understanding the Old Testament and were “expected” to do so.
a. In Acts 17:2-3 we learn that Paul's custom was to “reason from the (OT) Scriptures,” explaining and demonstrating from them that Jesus is the Christ.
Act 17:2 And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Act 17:3 explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ."
b. But how could this prove anything if the people could not understand the (OT) Scriptures?
4. Consider the account of the Bereans in Acts 17:11 . . .
Act 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness (readiness of the mind), examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
a. This verse teaches us that the Scriptures give the average individual a way to know whether or not they are being told the truth.
b. People are not expected to take a preacher’s word for what the Bible says. Rather, they should use God’s word to check out the preachers.
c. But how could the Bible accomplish this if the people cannot understand it?
5. In Matthew 22:29 (look there) - Jesus told the Sadducees . . .
Mat 22:29 But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong (err), because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.
a. Christ expected them to “know” the Scriptures, when they did not, they were in error,
and He held them accountable for that.
6. In Luke 16 (turn there) in the account of “Lazarus and the rich man in Hades” the rich man wanted Abraham to send someone from the dead to warn his 5 brothers about the fate that awaited the unfaithful to God in the next life, but he said (Luke 16:29). . .
Luk 16:29 . . . They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'
a. But how could they avoid that place of torments if they could not understand God’s word?
7. For every argument anyone could offer why we today cannot understand the New Testament,
that same argument would prove that people in the first century could not have understood the Old Testament.
a. Yet they “were” capable of understanding it and were “expected” to do so.
b. In like manner, we today also “can” understand God's word through which we can be saved (1 Pet 1:22-23; Ja 1:21).
1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
1Pe 1:23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
Jas 1:21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant (overflowing of) wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
c. Yet there is a certain type of attitude with which we are approach the word of God, not being doubting, but rather believing that it will do what God has promised it will do, and align ourselves with it (1 Thess 2:13) . . .
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you (that believe) believers.
III. WHY THEN, DO MANY PEOPLE NOT UNDERSTAND THE BIBLE?
A. Because of a “Lack of Study”.
1. Understanding requires “Diligent Study.”
a. We must "search the Scriptures daily" as did the Bereans in Acts 17:11, this takes much of one’s time, many do not want to sacrifice the time that God gives them for such.
Act 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
b. Also to handle the Bible properly we must exercise “diligence,” then we can be approved by God, otherwise, we need to be ashamed (2 Tim 2:15).
2Ti 2:15 Do your best (give diligence) to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
c. People can know the truth and be set free (John 8:32), and the Bible can be understood (Eph 3:4), but we must exercise diligence in our study (2 Tim 2:15).
2. Those who do not take the time to study, putting other things higher up on their priority lists will not likely understand in a way approved of God; but it is their own fault.
a. In Matthew 22:29 the Sadducees were in error about the resurrection because they did not know the Scriptures, but Jesus did not blame the Scriptures, He blamed the people, they could and should have studied enough to know the truth, the same is true for us (look at Heb 5:12-14 . . .)
Heb 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic (first) principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
Heb 5:13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
Heb 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment (senses) trained by constant practice (reason of use) to distinguish (discern) good from (and) evil.
d. This passage teaches us that to be able to discern good from evil, we must have our senses exercised by “constant practice”, “reason of use.”
e. These Hebrew Christians were not where they ought to have been concerning understanding (v12), but it was their own fault, because they didn’t exercise their senses enough by feeding on the word of God, it is written (1 Pet 2:2) . . .
1Pe 2:2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk (of the word), that by it you may grow up into salvation—
3. Therefore some people do not know the truth, not because it cannot be understood, but simply because they have never studied it or because they have not been diligent enough in their study.
B. Another reason that so many people do not understand the Bible today is because of “False Doctrines.”
1. Some people do not understand truth because their minds have been blinded by false teachings.
a. These false teachings may come from the media, preachers, family, friends, denominational creeds, or even their own erroneous conclusions, turn to 2 Cor 4:2-4 . . .
2Co 4:2 but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that (are) perish(ing):
2Co 4:4 in whom the god of this world (age) hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them. (ASV)
2. The god of this world (age; Satan) blinds the minds of some people so the light of the gospel does not shine on them, but how?
a. This sometimes happens because teachers handle the word of God deceitfully, they try to force doctrines in the Bible that are not found there, such as premillennialism, the health and wealth gospel, the my will be done gospel, the gospel that lines up with the world not eternity, and so forth.
3. Also we need to remember that following human doctrines makes our worship vain, empty, as it is written in (Mt 15:7) . . .
Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
a. These doctrines are often taught by spiritually blind leaders, who, if we follow blindly, we will be lost like they are, for the Lord stated in Mt 15:14 . . .
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit.
b. Remember that we should and need to check out all teachers/teachings as the Bereans did using God's word (Acts 17:11).
c. God is justified in condemning those who are deceived by false teachers because they have been told how to deal with teachers and have been warned about them, the Lord stated (Mt 7:15-16).
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 By their fruits you shall know them . . .
d. And one of their fruits would be their stance toward the Scriptures, do they believe them to be all inspired of God? It is simply not true that we need to take a preacher's word for truth, in fact we must not! (look at Gal 1:6-9).
Gal 1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—
Gal 1:7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort (pervert) the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
2. The Galatians Christians were turning away from Christ because of the influence of teachers who were perverting the gospel of Christ.
a. But they were not excused on the grounds that they could not understand.
b. Instead they were told that they should have compared that which they were being taught to the gospel they had previously received from inspired men like the apostle Paul.
c. Today the NT stands in the place of these inspired men, it is the very word, the commands of God (1 Cor 14:37; 1 Thess 2:13; 2 Pet 3:2), it gives us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), that includes the information to prove in our own minds whether something which is taught to us is from God, or man (Acts 17:11).
C. Another reason that so many people do not understand the Bible today is because of . . .
“Closed Hearts and Minds” as those described in Mt 13:13-15 (turn there) . . .
Mat 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Mat 13:14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: "'You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.
Mat 13:15 For (gar; because) this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
1. People often close their ears, eyes, and thus their hearts to the truth, but why?
a. They may be prejudiced - they may have believed a certain way for years, so they refuse to consider the evidence for other views.
b. Or they may be too proud to admit they are wrong, as a result, they reject the Truth that could set them free when they hear and believe it.
c. We must always have an open and seeking mind when it comes to God’s word, the Lord states (Mt 7:7-8; ISV) . . .
Mat 7:7 "Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you.
Mat 7:8 Because everyone who keeps asking will receive, and the person who keeps searching will find, and the person who keeps knocking will have the door opened. (ISV)
2. Also some people do not love truth enough, why? Because they have pleasure in unrighteousness, as described in 2 Thess 2:10b-12 (look there) . . .
2Th 2:10b . . . they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2Th 2:11 And for this cause God sendeth them a working of error (strong delusion), that they should believe a lie:
2Th 2:12 that they all might be judged (condemned) who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (ASV)
a. Those such as these will believe a lie and be self condemned, turn to John 8:43-47. . .
Joh 8:43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.
Joh 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Joh 8:45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me.
Joh 8:46 Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?
Joh 8:47 Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God." (ESV)
3. In this context these Jews did not understand Jesus' words, not because they couldn’t, but because they didn’t like what He had to say, instead they wanted to do the desires of the devil, which is anything opposed to God’s word on any given subject.
a. Some folks simply enjoy the things of this world, of which much is sin, and get so entangled in it, that they refuse to accept truth when they hear it, look at 2 Timothy 4:2-4 . . .
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables. (ASV)
4. Some people seek preachers and religious groups that say they are acceptable, even while they continue in their practices contrary to the word of God.
a. In this manner they turn aside from the truth and follow fables instead.
b. These individuals don’t understand God's word, not because it cannot be understood,
but because they simply do not like what it says!
c. If we are ever to accept the truth, we must "hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Matt. 5:6).
Mat 5:6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
d. We must honestly study what God's word says and then accept it as the Truth with meekness and "readiness of mind" which is able, it has the power, to save our souls (James 1:21; Acts 17:11).
Jam 1:21 Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (ASV)
Conclusion,
1. If God is “all-wise and all-powerful,” then we can understand His will.
2. If God is “just, loving, and gracious,” then we can understand His will.
3. If He is “truthful and faithful,” then we can understand His will.
4. His “promises and the examples” shown in Scripture reassure us that we can “know” how to be saved.
5. These things are written that you may believe, obey, and know that you have eternal life (John 20:30-31; 1 John 5:13), not that you may be deceived.
6. Never let us try to excuse ourselves from doing what God's word requires on the grounds that we cannot know what He wants.
7. If the Scriptures require you to know a thing to be saved, then you can know it, thus says the Lord
Joh 8:32 . . . you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
8. But you must study diligently (Acts 17:11; 2 Tim 2:15), and with an honest and open heart (Luke 8:11).
Don’t you know that God wants “all” to be saved? (1 Tim 4:2)
1Ti 2:4 who would have all men to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth.
How? “As it is written” of course . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
It must be implanted deeply within the good ground, that good and open heart (Ja 1:21)
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 8:37; John 20:31)
Joh 20:31 . . . these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name.
If we can’t understand what is written, how can we believe that Jesus is the Christ?
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) as Paul stated on mars hill . . .
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commands people that they should all everywhere repent:
Luk 13:3 I tell you, No: but, except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
Repentance is a determination to turn from self, and to turn to God, and God expects all mankind to do so or
else perish, therefore He certainly expects us to be able to know His will enough to align ourselves with it
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for) the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16).
And finally one is to live a faithful and holy life (Rev 2:10; 1 Pet 1:15), faithful to His understandable word,
holy, sanctified, separated, “from” the ways of the world and “to” the Way of God (John 14:6; Mt 7:14)
Being renewed day by day, putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of
spiritual growth, by studying, believing and applying God’s living, active and understandable word unto
eternal life, “which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Tit 1:2).