<<The word of God is always clear, and when some cannot understand it, it is not because God has not made it clear. >>
I disagree with this statement. The Word of God is in fact many times very hard to understand. Read the book of Daniel, the man was highly favored but was not able to understand what the Lord was saying. Read the book of Revelations, not one man alive today understands even half of what is going on. Many speculate but all fall short. When the apostle says to study the word to show yourselves approved he doesn't mean to just glance over it and nod your head with a stupid grin on your face. To study something takes much diligence, time, energy, and the willingness to learn. I know men who have been in the ministry for many years and still struggle over passages.
Jesus spoke in parables so that those who didn't put forth the effort to hear would wind up hearing only that which they wanted to. Which of course is always far from the truth.
I say this for the benefit of those who strive to know the truth. Because the truth will set them free, but it is not a simple feat, there is much warfare along the way.
-Chris |
