Reading Someone Else's Mail

Have you ever read a note that was not intended to go to you and found it really hard to understand what it was talking about? I know that around my office there will often be post-it notes that are not decipherable to anyone expect for me. I know what the content is and for what purpose it should be used.

In talking with some friends this morning, we discussed the fact that many people don't understand the Bible at all. Sure, none of us know every thing about it or can fully understand God, yet many are able to read and understand what it teaches.

The Word of God is "living and active" (Hebrews 4:12) and I am to "do [my] best to present [myself] to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth" (II Timothy 2:16).
But how exactly are we to handle God's Word if we do not understand it? How can we apply to our lives that which we do not comprehend?

II Corinthians 4:4 states that "The god of this age (Satan) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." The apostle Paul prays in Ephesians 1:18 that "the eyes of your heart may be enlightened" that we may understand who God is.

God inspired men to write His Word as a "huge post-it" to his children (John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God"). It is impossible for someone to understand the Scriptures if they are not a child of God! Sure you may be able to have some head knowledge about it and pick up some key points, but if the eyes of you heart are not opened to the truths of the gospel, it will all seem like foolishness.

So I want to encourage you with the following. Quit reading someone else's mail. Become part of the family of God and pray that He would reveal Himself to you and teach you His Word.

As always, I'd love to hear you from you.

PS. You may want to check out a great site called Way of the Master