The Will Of The Lord

I do not know how many times it has been claimed that someone just cannot understand the Bible.  Often times, this is merely an excuse for a lack of study and work.  I readily admit that some parts of the Bible are a deeper study than others, but I absolutely reject the idea that we cannot understand God’s Word.  Peter wrote, “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Pet. 3:15-16).  Yes, some do “wrest” the scriptures, but that is of their own doing.

God did not give us the Bible so that we would be ignorant of His will, but rather that we would be able to understand and obey His Word.  This is extremely important for our souls because Jesus said, “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him:  the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).  That is right, the standard to which we will be held is the Word of God, the Bible.  Would God be just and loving to give us His Word, hold us accountable to It, and make It so that we could not understand it?  Absolutely not!  Instead, Paul wrote, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Eph. 5:17).  It is plainly stated that we can understand the will of the Lord.

It is obvious that first century Christians were able to understand what was written to them, and so can we.  To the church at Rome, Paul stated, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world:  but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2).  Likewise, to the Thessalonians Paul mentioned, “Furthermore then we beseech you brethren and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles, which know not God:  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter:  because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified” (1 Thess. 4:1-6).  Also, he wrote, “In every thing give thanks:  for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thess. 5:18).

Then there are the writings of Peter which state, “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake:  whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.  For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God” (1 Pet. 2:13-16).  Again, first century brethren were able to understand the will of God/God’s Word.

While on the earth, Jesus spoke about being able to understand the will of the Father.  He said, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.  And this is the Father’s will which he hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.  And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life:  and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:38-40).  Furthermore, it is written, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.  If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:16-17).  How can a man “do his will” if he is unable to understand it?

Friend, do not be deceived into believing that you cannot understand the will of God/God’s Word.  Instead, heed the instruction that Paul gave Timothy long ago.  “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).
~ Corey Barnette