What am I supposed to do with that verse?
Many verses in our Bible are straightforward and easy to understand, but some verses are more difficult. What can you and I do with hard-to-understand verses?
- Don’t be afraid to study God’s Word. The good news of Jesus, scriptures that you and I need to understand so we can be saved, is evident for us today. These verses are clear to anyone who is convicted and wants to be saved (Acts 2.37-28), “… (they) said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ ” Also, we may not be able to fully explain God’s grace, but we can understand that it is the power by which we are saved (Eph 2.8-9), “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
- Don’t be frustrated if you are challenged. As you read a difficult passage, or when someone asks a sincere Bible question, find a good study aid to help you grow in God’s word. But there are some people determined to challenge or refute scripture. Remember this: God’s Word does not contradict itself. Study and prayer, and asking questions of mature Christians will resolve any frustrations that you find in the studying the Bible.
- Read, study and grow in God’s Word. The Creator of the universe shared with us His beautiful Word; He wants us to know Him. He wants us to be blessed by His Word, and He has a purpose for the Bible in our lives. (Heb 4.12) “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” And Paul told Timothy that God’s Word is intended to challenge us and to prepare us to serve Him better (2 Tim 3.16-17), “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Despite our busy schedules, no matter how many demands we have on our time each day, God will bless us when we spend time in His Word