How can I really know what the Bible teaches?
Is your church “Bible based?” It is not uncommon to hear a person offer an enthusiastic invitation that goes something like: “Our church only teaches what the Bible teaches,” or, “Our pastor is terrific, he teaches straight from the Bible!”
This sounds good, and in so far as the Bible is taught under the direction and power of God’s Holy Spirit, it is. The sad fact is this sentiment is repeated by people from assemblies which disagree between one another on what the Bible specifically means on various matters. In many cases, serious matters.
More do agree on the fundamentals, but the details are like spices that season the soup, as it were, and these cause church organizations to essentially come in different flavors, but we know God is not divided, nor does He contradict Himself.
The differences are explained by people’s varying interpretation – the Holy Spirit will not give conflicting direction making some things OK for one group, but detestable for another. Always, always, always, the Word of God advocates unity of the spirit.
Today, Bible interpreters are usually well-meaning, and doing the best they can but the net result is conditions of “a house divided,” or “factions” such as the Apostle Paul sought to stamp out in his epistles. Near the end of his life, he warned that the Holy Spirit told him that in latter times doctrines inspired by demons would infiltrate churches. (1 Tim 4:1)
Error was recorded from the beginning, and it’s had two millennia to infiltrate while God remains working to reach those who will hear Him.
There are more teachers today than ever – and we’ve established many must be wrong – but there is one Teacher and He ever lives!
His inspired book also remains pure and true, but the difference between the ”spirit of the word” and the “letter of the word” is as separated as life is from death.
But God’s promise remains that those who want His will, and seek Him – and let Him refine them as they carry their cross – will come to know the Spirit of the truth that Jesus said would make us free (John 8:32).
John in his gospel said God gave the early Christians “an understanding.”
“And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” -John 1:5:20
Hallelujah! Eternal life is to know God. And, wouldn’t you like that true understanding that comes from God – or to deepen it, if you already do have His understanding?
A spiritual book; spiritually discerned
The Bible, or canon of the Old and New Testaments, is a spiritual work. Holy men of old (2 Pet. 1:21) were vessels used by God to write what was recorded as eternal truth. The Holy Spirit imbued His life into these words, and their correct understanding is hidden in plain sight.
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” -1 Cor. 2:14
The Word of God is thus a closed book unless the Spirit of God opens your eyes.
“He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 16:14-17
Revelation from the Spirit of God is needed!
We live in an information-rich society, and have heard many teachings, but the only thing you truly know (Greek: gnosco) is what God has shown you. Someone may have first told you something from the Bible, or you may have read it for yourself, but it only sticks – and you can only act on it in faith – if it is known by your spirit, not only your head!
Yes, anyone with reading comprehension can glean understanding, maybe quite a lot, but God does not speak to the mind of the “old man” – an old creation who is not in Christ.
And just as His Words were not intended for atheists and skeptics seeking to debunk them, they are not for anyone – even those who say they are in Christ – who is not in the right state of spirit and mind.
The good news is they are bread of life for those who love Him!
Conditions must be met
First, one must be a Christian, born again (Jn. 3:1-16; 1 Pet. 1:3, 23). Christians are those – and only those – who have repented to God, received Jesus as Lord, and have been given the Holy Spirit to reside in their physical bodies.
“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.” -Romans 8:9
Secondly, one must have the right heart and undivided loyalty.
“If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.” -John 7:17
Here Jesus was being confronted by religious leaders and critics and in one simple sentence illustrated an eternal principle for anyone who wants to know the authentic spirit of the truth, not just dead letter.
“If anyone wills to do His will …” Jesus said, speaking of the Father’s will, then “will he know concerning the doctrine …” – or teachings – whether they are legitimate, given by God, not misconstrued or twisted.
Who can ‘rightly divide’ the Word?
God looks at your heart, and intentions, and willingness to obey His commandments, and keep this covenant.
Ultimately, too, we must come to know and discern the Lord Jesus’ voice!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this illustration, but they did not understand the things which He spoke to them. -John 10 1:6
The above passage shows everything this article has asserted, if you can see it.
1) You must enter God’s family, His “sheepfold,” by the Door, that is Jesus Christ.
2) Jesus’ sheep can discern the Master’s voice, and they follow Him.
3) Jesus’ sheep do not follow a “stranger” – this is not a human voice, but a demon, an evil spirit, who would try to mimic the Master, but Jesus’ sheep know better.
4) The hearers at the time Jesus spoke this to them did not comprehend what He was saying because He spoke spiritual truth that is spiritually discerned. This was before Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
This Christian life is from start to finish of the Spirit. It is by faith. Only the true God – not a “stranger” or spiritual impostor – can lead you into its fullness.
To those who already know these things and do them, you are blessed! For anyone else, He is waiting for you – and all of us must take care to continue by repentance and faith as we go.
If you are lukewarm or divided in your loyalty, you can thank God for grace – it is surely there, and God is longsuffering and kind.
However, it is otherwise abominable for someone to use “liberty as a cloak for vice,” (1 Pet. 2:16) or be half-hearted and not wholly concerned with finding out the will of the Lord and doing it.
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” -Ephesians 5:15-17
Seeking holiness and purity of spirit is NOT an option!
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord … -Hebrews 12:14
Our reason for having been given life is ultimately to please God. Yes, summed to its essence, this is why we live, especially if we are in Christ.
“Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.” -2 Cor. 5:9
God had an eternal purpose in mind (Eph. 3:11) to create a spotless virgin bride for Himself. He did not give an excellent gospel for mediocrity and schismatic conditions to ensue!
As the Lord leads, each individual must repent, and seek the truth of His Word, for this is how God and His will come to be more fully known.
From the heart, pray to God. Ask Him to reveal and lead you according to His will. He is meek and lowly in heart, and says “learn of Me.” Then believe and know that if you ask anything according to His will, He hears you! That is faith.
Faith says, it is finished!
