"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye speak the same thing, and that there be no division among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Cor.1:10).
Many will contend that it is impossible for people with different backgrounds, cultures, and education to "understand the Bible alike." But is it? Does God require something that is impossible? For believers, the answer is obvious.
There are three requirements in I Cor. 1:10. (1)"That ye all speak the same thing." While many claim that is impossible, Peter says, "If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet. 4:11). If we speak as God's word, we will have to speak the same thing. God didn't say one thing to you and something different to someone else. (2)"That there be no divisions among you." Christ prayed, "That they might all be one" (John 17:20-21). (3)"But that ye be perfectly joined together in the SAME mind and in the SAME judgment." When we are guided by the SAME truth, we will be united in the SAME mind and judgment.
Jesus said, "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). In order for us to be free, it is necessary that we "know the truth." It is not possible for two people to understand something differently. They either both understand alike or at least one does not understand at all. Both can be wrong but both cannot be right. If one cannot know, why did Jesus command to know the truth in order to be made free?
In Deut. 29:29 we read, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we MAY DO all the words of the law." Is it possible to do that which we do not understand? Note what Paul had to say about being able to understand. "How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery (as I wrote afore in few words whereby, when ye read, ye may UNDERSTAND my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)" (Eph. 3:3-4). Does that in any way imply that we understand differently? Of course not! Paul said he wrote where we can understand. If we understand what he wrote, it is not possible for us to "understand differently." If we cannot understand what he wrote, why did he say we could?
When men teach that men cannot understand the Bible alike, they are proving the opposite! They say that to bring about understanding on the part of their audience. What do they want men to believe? They want them to "understand alike" that men "cannot understand the Bible alike"!!!
One must have an honest and good heart in order for him to understand and believe the truth. In Luke 8:11-15 we read about the parable of the sower. Verse 11 says: "The seed is the word of God." It did not change as it was sown..."by the way side"(v12); "...on the rock"(v13); "...among thorns"(v14) or "...in an honest and good heart"(v15). The first three places the seed fell represents dishonest hearts. They were not good because they were not honest. The only seed to "bring forth fruit" was sown in the "honest and good heart."
Jesus said, "If any man willeth to do his will. he shall know of the teaching..." (John 7:17). Seeking the truth for mere academic reasons will not bring understanding. There must be the will to comply with what is learned before understanding is possible.
One must have a love of the truth. Paul said, "because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie: That they might be damned, who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (II Thes. 2:10-12).
God has not given us a Bible we cannot understand. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God" (II Tim. 2:15). "Wherefore be not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph.5:17). "Search the Scriptures, whether these things be so" (Acts 17:11).
"If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God" (I Pet 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
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