Seek the Truth

Ever wondered why religious groups and sects have diverse understandings of the Bible? Why would God allow such confusion? Isn’t He the God of order, as 1 Cor. 14:33 says?

"For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

Then why do religions differ in their views of God? The deity of Jesus? When should we worship (Sabbath)? of the doctrine of salvation? Most of us are aware of that fact, but we're just passive about it. Many, sadly, are just content with what they hear from their preachers, follow almost everything they say, and worst of all, stick to the traditions of men, which are ultimately wrong. Perhaps you open and read your Bible. Then you come across a verse that confuses you. What would you do? Logically, you consult an elder, a pastor, or anyone whom you think is well versed in the Bible. They said this and that, but the answers didn't make sense. Deep in your heart, you know something is amiss. But because your pastor said so and it's what the rest of your church believes in, you’re in it too. Are we that lazy to search for answers? Suppose one would ask you to go buy something in the middle of the night, wouldn’t you ask what that "something" is you're required to buy, where you could buy it from? If the store is still open, why would you buy it at such an importunate hour? The principle is the same when we study God's Word. We should all be Bereans.

Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 

Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 

True, we lack patience when it comes to studying the Bible. What then? Shall we just sit back and wait for the end of days, when all souls shall stand before God, everything will be revealed? But what if the doctrines you've been taught are wrong? Wouldn't it be too late for your soul? You won't be able to rationalize that you were blinded by your religion or by your pastor or by your teacher and therefore should be excused.

Brethren, don’t be fooled by the notion that you'll never come to a comprehension of what the Scriptures say just because the words are highfalutin' or the passage is too deep to understand. Remember, we received the Holy Ghost the day we were saved.

"Then Peter said unto them, repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38)

It is the Holy Spirit who guides and teaches us as we study our Bible.

"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 said unto you" (John 14:26)

Among the diverse spiritual gifts, we must desire the gift of wisdom and understanding, for through it we're able to know God's will.

"......that ye might be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and understanding. (Col. 1:11)

"That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. The eyes of your understanding being enlightened, that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believes, according to the working of his mighty power." (Ephesians 1:17-19)

Understanding the Bible isn't only reserved for preachers and teachers. It is for all Christians.

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein, for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and thou shalt have good success." (Joshua 1:8)

"Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read, no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate, for my mouth it hath commanded and his spirit it hath gathered them." (Isaiah 34:16)

And you won't be disappointed if you sincerely ask for it.

"Ask and it shall be opened unto you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

Be careful, though, with the motives of your heart. For if you don't have the same hunger and love for the truth that God does, you'll eventually fall away from it.(note: borrowed thought, rephrased)

"Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 3:4)

Do you purposely look for verses that you can use to justify your lust, like Ecclesiastes 2:24?

"There is nothing better for a man than that he should eat and drink, that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God."

Do you grumpily point fingers to other sects and denominations for verses against abominations like image worshiping overlooking the idol in your heart which is pride?

Eze 33:31  "And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness."

Do you dare strip verses out of their context and tailor them to support your opinions, which makes it appear that they came from God?

Rev 22:18  "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:"

Rev 22:19  "And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

Or worse, do you only strive to be Bible-educated because you are moved by envy or to undermine your fellow Christians?

 1Co 4:7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

Unfortunately, these exact things happen nowadays. And it's not a surprise, for Satan is behind it. He is a master in twisting and perverting the truth, as he did to our first parents and when he tempted our Lord Jesus.

However, the question remains unanswered.If God wants His people to be of one mind, faith and baptism, why did He allow confusing verses in the Scripture? The answers are twofold. When read in their entirety, Bible verses are not confusing, and you can obtain successive truths about God using a concordance. Second, God has a purpose to hide things in a partial way (read Matthew 13:10–15). If we're truly hungry and thirsty for righteousness, we'll be filled (Matthew 5:6), and if we're diligent seekers, we’ll find the truth (Hebrews 11:6). But if we're satisfied with the traditions of men and don't seek the truth sincerely, earnestly, and whole-heartedly, those confusing verses are our stumbling blocks.

(Note: rephrased, not my original thought)

We may not interpret it in its entirety, but it is our responsibility to study the Bible.

"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 )

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."( 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

(Note: One of my very first amateur thoughts aboutChristianity.
       Written in June,2010)