HOW CAN WE READ THE BIBLE UNDERSTANDINGLY ?
By John Ap G. Williams
THE writer, during a period of about eight years engaged in house to house "evangelical home missionary work," has heard this question repeatedly, from those whom he believes to be true, honest-hearted seekers after truth. And the reason why this question is asked is most reasonably explained by them thus:— “The members of the various Christian denominations quote the Scriptures to sustain some special doctrine (or teaching) practised in their church. This seems to imply another question: Does the Bible adjust itself to suit each of the numerous creeds found in the world?” They express this as ample reason for holding themselves aloof from any religious denomination. Is this justifiable? Are we dependent upon any religious creed for our soul’s salvation? All denominational creeds are man-made, and the Bible teaches that he who puts his trust in man is cursed (Jer. 17:5); that every one of us shall give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12); that every plant which our heavenly Father has not planted shall be rooted up (Matt. 15:13), meaning, of course, every unscriptural doctrine in all our denominational churches. We believe God’s Word has a clear and simple solution to the question heading this article when it comes from an earnest seeker after light, and we also believe there are some earnest souls who will read these words and lift up their hearts in gratitude to God for His promise found in Matt. 5:6. The first thing we need to consider is the character of God’s Word, then the character of the natural man. The first we find in 2 Tim. 3:15, and the second in Rom. 5:12. What relation do these characters bear towards each other? They are as far apart as light and darkness, as life and death, as heaven and destruction. Man in this condition has not the slightest idea of what a kind heavenly Father has in keeping for those who love Him. 1 Cor. 2:9. He is as a dead man, his mind is at variance with everything that is heaven-born, and he can not in this condition possibly subject himself to the ruling power of God. Rom. 8:6, 7. How can it be possible for such a man to read God’s Word understandingly? Paul again, in another place, states that the carnal man is sold under sin, and that the law (God’s Word) is spiritual. Rom. 7:14. What then must take place before this mind can comprehend the instruction found in the Bible? We have an instance on record of one of the most naturally intelligent men upon the earth in Christ’s time, who was, nevertheless, blind concerning the plan of salvation. We hear our question answered to him by the great Master Teacher thus: “Except a man be born again, he can not see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Here is a master of Israel (verse 10) just entering the great spiritual school with Jesus in the flesh for his teacher. What a great and exemplary object lesson for teachers and pupils for all time! This carnal or natural man is led by the Spirit of God to Jesus (John 6:44), who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (14:6), in order that he may become reconciled to our heavenly Father, become a new-born man, to act as a minister of the Gospel, in making known that same truth to others. 2 Cor. 5:17-20. What God did for Nicodemus He is desirous of doing for every other child of Adam, who, like him, realizes a poverty of spirit that he may receive the assurance of the kingdom of heaven. 1 Tim. 2:4; Matt. 5:3. We are instructed that the carnal-minded or natural man, before he passes through this experience, is mindful of the natural needs of his children, and if the natural animal instinct is capable of this, what must be the magnitude of the love of one for His children whose very name is love itself? How much more willing must He be to provide His trusting children with His Holy Spirit? Luke 11:11-13; 1 John 4:8. What is the Bible commonly called?—The Word of God. When we hear a man speak, what is the sound called?—The voice. When we read the Bible then, what do we hear?—The voice of God. To whom is He speaking?—To us (him, her, or those who read). How do we understand our heavenly Father’s voice?—By the Spirit, which He has given us so that we can commune with Him through His spiritual, written Word. What eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor hath entered into the heart of the natural man concerning the love of God, is now revealed to us by His Spirit, this Spirit searching all things, yea, the deep things of God. 1 Cor. 2:9, 10. There is no other way possible to read the Bible understandingly, because the spirit of man simply knows the things of a man, but the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God, and this Spirit is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, given the new-born man that he might know the things which are freely given him of God. This is not the wisdom gathered from the teachings of men, but which the Holy Spirit teacheth, comparing spiritual things with spiritual, and this comparison of spiritual things with spiritual can be nothing else but the comparison of scripture with scripture in the Bible. Verses 11-13. Reader, let us try this plan; it never fails.