Lesson 267: "Do You Understand?"
Jesus said; “you are in error because you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matt. 22:29). At this time Jesus was trying to explain the Resurrection to the Sadducees, who said there was no such thing and once again trying to trip Jesus up with their references to Moses’ teachings. However, I believe being in error because we do not understand the Scriptures can apply in any area of our lives. Like Timothy, most of us have known the Scripture from infancy, making us “wise for salvation” (2 Tim. 3:15). In other words we understood how to be saved but some stopped there and have not continued to learn to use the God-breathed Words for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). Remember that you are not the only one that the Word of God has reached and It did not originate with you (1 Cor. 14:36). Use the Word of God to gently instruct in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth (2 Tim. 2:25); ask God for wisdom to understand and share the gospel (James 1:5); do what the Word says (James 1:22); and above all do not think too highly of yourself than ought (Rom. 12:3) because we all still have a lot to learn about Jesus Christ, His Father in Heaven and the Holy Word which is at work in you who believe (1 Thess. 2:13).
Apostle Peter, in his usual blunt style of, made every effort to teach firmly enough that even after his death people would remember what he wrote. He testifies that he was a witness to the things he wrote, that he heard the voice that came from heaven (Jesus Christ). He backed all this with the words of the prophets, adding that we would do well to pay attention, understanding that both he and the prophets spoke from God (2 Pet. 1:15-21). Prophecy of the bible stands forever and it stays the way it was revealed by the Holy Spirit of God (Rev. 22:18-20). Most of the Apostles’ written books start out with; “a servant of God” meaning that they take no credit for the writing but acknowledge the power of the Holy Spirit whom they write strongly about that we might too understand His power. Even the Holy Spirit speaks from the authority of the Father (John 16:13) and takes what is the Father’s and the Son’s and make it known to us. Do not go beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6) because Jesus said; “they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. They honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me” (Matt. 15:8-9, Gal. 1:8, Pro. 3:5-6, Ps. 127:1).
We need to fully understand that Jesus Christ died for us while we were yet sinners (Rom. 5_6-9). His shed blood brought to the world forgiveness (Eph. 1:7) that we might live for righteousness (1 Pet. 2:24). Surely we must believe the Words He wrote are true and faultless is we understand what a price He paid for us. The Words were written about His miracles to help us believe and have everlasting life (John 20:30-31) but we must train our finite minds daily to understand the reasons for these miracles. He was not showing off; He was not testing the people; He was not testing God to see if His Father would allow Him to do these things; He was simply using the power of God to save us (Rom. 1:16). We must understand and accept this power and believe (John 8:24) otherwise we most assuredly, according to the Word of God, will be condemned (Mark 16:15-16, John 3:18, Rev. 20:15). Everyone who believes and is saved is commanded to obey these Words God inspired to be written (Matt. 7:21). We do this through our love for our Savior (John 14:15). He is the Author of perfection and eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb. 5:9). The ONLY ONE (Acts 4:12); no one else can save us. No one else can condemn us (2 Thess. 1:8-9 KJV). This condemnation is not a slap on the wrist but is as eternal for the un-believing as salvation is for the believer. “Just as man is destined to die once and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him” (Heb. 9:27-28).
We need to understand that Jesus Christ stands at the door and knocks (Rev. 3:20) and we need to understand that sin crouches at the door (Gen. 4:7).
There is a door and only one, and yet the sides are two.
Inside and outside; on which side are you?
“Blessed are those who wash their robes that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood (Rev. 22:14-15). What part of this do you not understand?