God's messages sometimes need explaining

After ordering at a local fast food restaurant recently, the counter person asked for a name to associate with my order. She asked me how to spell my name, and I responded with, “I-T”. She took on a puzzled look, as did the counter person to her left, while the one to her right immediately began laughing. After I explained the joke to her, I gave the real spelling The person to her left remained silent for a few more moments and then nodded his head with a chuckle indicating that he had finally gotten the joke.

Many people have a problem getting God’s word. That’s understandable because God said in his word (through an inspired writer) that it would be difficult, if not impossible for non-Christians to understand his message (1 Corinthians 1:18; 2:9-16; Acts 8:26-35 (mark this spot, the verses following also will be cited). That’s why Jesus told Christians to go into all the world preaching the gospel (Romans 10:11-17; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; your neighborhood and workplace are part of has have to be explained to most people – baptize. It literally means to dip, plunge, or immerse and has nothing to do with sprinkling. Biblically, when one confesses faith in Jesus they’re to be baptized in water becoming united with Jesus in his death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and it does not set aside the grace of God (Acts 8:36-39; 2:38-39; Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:11-13; Galatians 5:24; 2:20-21).

Back to understanding God’s word: People grow at different rates, but Christians are expected to feed on the word and grow as we’re able so we’ll be productive for God (1 Peter 2:2-3; 2 Peter 1:3-11; John 15:1-8). Nonetheless, some Christians avoid studying the Bible for themselves claiming that they cannot understand it, thereby, making themselves unprepared to explain it to others (Ephesians 3:4-5; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Peter 2:11-12; 3:15-16; our actions often speak louder than words, but when our actions cause interest, we’re to be prepared to make the explanation).

Being unprepared also leaves Christians open to being led astray by those who won’t tell them the whole counsel of God (1 Timothy 4:1-2; Acts 20:25-30). In some cases, they don’t want to hear the truth because it reveals their guilt, although God already knows about that (2 Timothy 4:3-4; Hebrews 4:12-13).

Last year, like many other people, I read through the Bible. I’ve done that several times in the past. This year, also as I’ve done many times in the past, I’m reading from a couple of daily devotionals. I set aside about 15 minutes at a specific time each day to learn and receive encouragement so I can maintain confidence in my salvation (Hebrews 3:12-14). Personal Bible study is a good habit to have and although it takes effort to form any habit, once developed, I gladly take effort to maintain the habit.

Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]