Understanding the Bible

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly,

and gave the sense,

and caused them to understand the reading.”

(Nehemiah 8:8)

As people, we enjoy interacting with others.  I enjoy all the different ways of using words in communication, whether it’s humour, satire, one-liners, clichés, clever sayings - all sorts of ways of putting words together.  But when we share the Gospel, we must be able to take the Word of God and give the sense, and cause them to understand!

As Christians, we often speak to people who know nothing about the Bible or, what they know is wrong!  The above verse is so important!

The same is true when we are disciplining new Christians, are we CLEAR?  We may say things in a way that is interesting to us, and we may say things that we find clever, but is it clear to the unsaved and newly saved?  Or do they go away from us not having any idea what we have been talking about?  (It’s humbling that as a preacher and pastor there are times I am not making the Word of God clear!)

How can we help people understand the Bible?  1) Share the Bible/ God’s Word with them then 2) Tell them clearly what it means, then 3) Listen to what they say and what they do – do they understand?

As we enjoy the company of the people we live with and work with, as we enjoy conversation and humour - may we also be clear with God’s Word!  May we read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and give the sense, and cause others to understand the reading!

Run with patience,

Pastor