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There are literally thousands of different religious groups all claiming to be church that is following the Christ.

Yet, each one teaches a different plan of salvation. Many have tried to justify this division and confusion
by saying we cannot see the Bible alike.

Let us think together and see if this idea is a valid one.

First, when God created us, He gave us an intellect with which we are to think, reason
and rationally come to logical conclusions based only on adequate evidences.

In creating us, God also gave us the ability to communicate with one another.

God, because of our need for salvation, communicated with us through His Word, the Bible.

It would be completely impossible for us to know what God had in mind to redeem us from our sins unless He revealed His will to us, which He did (I Corinthians 2:6-12).

Question: Would God give to man His Will concerning salvation if man could not understand it?

Certainly not!

Second, to say that something is impossible to understand is not the same as saying something is hard or difficult to understand.

There are concepts in our world that demands much study in order to comprehend; for example, algebra is difficult for me to understand, but not impossible.

Question: Can all people understand and come to the same conclusions about
algebra?

Certainly!

Peter wrote concerning the writing of the apostle Paul, saying that there
“…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” (II Peter 3:16).

If we are willing to honestly study from God’s Word, without any preconceived ideas or
notions, then we can understand and come to the same conclusions about God’s Word.

Paul said that this was necessary for unity to exist in the church at Corinth (I Corinthians 1:10).

In Ephesians 3:4-5, Paul wrote, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I
2 wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ).”

If we cannot see the Bible alike, the result is confusion.

Paul wrote, “For God is not the author of confusion…” (I Corinthians 14:33).

Paul said that we CAN understand God’s Word and we MUST understand it alike! When someone tells us we cannot all see the Bible alike, they are saying that God is not able to effectively communicate His Will to us.

This is simply an excuse employed by Satan to allow people to embrace teaching that is not in
harmony with God’s Word and feel safe with it (cf. II Corinthians 11:14-15; John 8:44). Tim Canup

“GOD LOVES YOU AND I LOVE YOU AND THAT’S THE WAY IT’S GONNA BE!” – MIKE

How many times when discussing the Scriptures with someone that differs with us do we hear them respond, Well, that s just your interpretation? This statement is made generally to imply that we simply cannot understand the Bible alike, that one interpretation is as good as another and that we are really dealing with opinion anyway. Many believe there to be no consequence to the many interpretations of the Bible as long as we believe in Jesus as the Son of God and accept Him as our personal Savior. Hence, the idea of unity through diversity is universally accepted in the denominational world as being perfectly acceptable to God.

But the apostle Paul said, Give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth no to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15.) This passage clearly shows God s approval dependent upon handling God s word properly. The fact that we are instructed to use the word of truth correctly indicates the possibility of misunderstanding and wrongly applying God s Word. But more than this, it necessarily implies the possibility of understanding God s word accurately and finding His favor.

Many today seem unconcerned with all the confusion and think nothing of the division that exists in the religious world. But the fact that so many different denominations teach and practice different things, while they all claim to be following the same Lord and use the same Bible is not evidence that we cannot understand the Bible alike. Paul wrote, whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ (Eph. 3:4). Paul s understanding was revealed by inspiration. It was not an interpretation, but a revelation. And he wrote so that we also might also understand that which was revealed.

I realize that some Scripture is easier to understand than others. There is such a thing as the milk and the meat of the gospel (see Heb. 5:11-14). Peter speaks of Paul s writings containing some things hard to be understood. But he points out further that the ignorant and unstedfast wrestle with these passages as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16). Even then individuals misinterpreted that which should have been understood. Why is this?

The problem lies not in the seed (the Word of God, Luke 8:11), but in the soil (the heart) into which the seed is sown. Only the honest and good heart receives the seed (Luke 8:15). Since it is the honest heart that understands and receives God s instruction, does this imply that most people are dishonest when dealing with Scripture? Not necessarily. While many cannot see the truth of God because of bias and prejudice, there are also many honest people that have simply been deceived. They either have never heard God s truth, or they are honestly mistaken.

But when honest individuals are confronted with God s truth they will not label it as your interpretation. Instead, they will carefully consider it and recognize it as being God s Word. They will understand it and apply it. They will receive and obey it.

Remember, we can understand the Bible alike. Jesus said, Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). VIA Timberland Drive church of Christ

“GOD LOVES YOU AND I LOVE YOU AND THAT’S THE WAY IT’S GONNA BE!” – MIKE