2 PETER 3:16
enlighten his mind with understanding (Ephesians 1:18; 3:4). Included are learning
disabilities, attention span deficits, fear of unknown, ignorance about word etymology,
insecurity about study skills and tools, bad health habits, oppression and resentment
and bigotry, fixation on the past, worldliness, and inertia (lesson #1). Nevertheless, the
preeminent Christ can pave the way to a new day, for willing souls! Colossians
1:13-18. The key word there is "willing" (see John 7:17).
the Bible say anything." They might as well call God a harlot. People usually would
not insult even their worst enemy, by saying, "You can prove anything by them." That
is saying that they are an unstable, two-faced, double-tongued liar! But the real
problem is those who twist the scripture, and do so to their own destruction. 2 Peter
3:16 says, 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. That word
"wrest" means twist, like you would to wring out a wet dish cloth. Scripture-twisting is
how people are destroyed of the devil (cp. Genesis 3:1-4ff).
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. Honest people know that they
must study to ascertain the meaning intended by God in His word. Jesus highlighted
the "honest and good" soul in Luke 8:15 (Parable of the Sower). He also contrasted
three other kinds of people who are not (Luke 8:11-14). The Bible, and how it is
written, has an uncanny ability to weed out those who admit their need and desire to
learn, from those who pretend they already know enough (see Matthew 13:13-17).
benefits:
1) Difficulties can add depth to our souls. By "digging into the mine" of scripture,
we can learn for our own self that God's message is intact.
2) Difficulties in translation reflect man's struggles not God's. God is immortal;
man is mortal (see lesson #15 on "Perfect").
3) In a *reliable translation, there are no doctrinal problems because of difficult
scriptures. [*I use KJV (1611), then for comparison resort to ASV (1901), NASB
(1960), or NKJV (1982); I do not really need, nor recommend any other, than these
four translations.] To true seekers, the truth will become clear (John 8:32).
4) In your dictionary, look up "paradox." In Holy Scripture, a paradox helps to hold
our attention. Paradoxes in scripture are found true, after they stir our mind to
penetrate. So in our culture today, "slim chance" and "fat chance" can mean the same
thing - after we think about the context. Then in Isaiah 9:6 and Luke 12:51, the Prince
of Peace, does not bring peace. Say what? ... Not to those who reject Him. It reads
like a paradox, but is simple when understood .
5) Divinity leads humanity, not vice versa. God does not say what man would say,
because He is not a man; He is God (1 Samuel 15:29; Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2).
6) Scripture writers were miraculously inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21).
Original manuscript writers had no mistakes. Bible translators, while they may have
been helped providentially, were not so inspired. Even though no original manuscripts
exist today, there are thousands of copies to be diligently compared, including some
dating back to the second century. Then when archaeological finds like the Dead Sea
Scrolls came along, it only confirmed the Bible as the most verified book of history.
(Matthew 7:7) know the Bible tells the truth (John 17:17).Those who will not seek,
whether due to selfishness, ignorance or vainglory - they are the ones who will say
anything about the Bible, church, God, Christ. They are the one who are likely to
believe almost anything. For example, instead of Genesis 1 & 2 creation in the
beginning, they will say, "inorganic matter to living amoeba to monkey to man" over
eons.
do they do? They project them upon God. They charge the Infallible Ruler of the
universe, with their own shortcomings. What a shame. But the good news is that a
Savior came to earth and paid the price so that souls can be redeemed; So that self can
overcome. Proverbs 14:6 says, A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but
knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.