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Good News For Good Hearts

Many today seem to be unconcerned with all of the confusion that prevails in the religious world.  Most folks think nothing of the division that exists among different denominations.  But the fact that so many different denominations teach and practice different things, while claiming to be following the word of God, is not evidence that we cannot understand the Bible alike.  Paul said he wrote so that “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 recorded it so that we also can understand that which is revealed.

Paul tells us that in order to find God’s approval we must “handle aright the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).  This passage clearly teaches us that truth can be discerned and understood.  But the fact that instruction must be given to make certain we handle the word of truth accurately indicates the possibility of misunderstanding and wrongly applying God’s word.

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).  This implies that such individuals misinterpret even that which should be easily 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 it is sown.  Only the heart that is “honest and good” receives the seed (Luke 8:15).  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 are so biased and prejudiced they cannot see the truth of God, there are also many honest people who have been deceived.  They simply have never heard the truth of God.  They are honestly mistaken.

The antidote to such deception is clear, plain and accurate preaching and teaching from the word of God.  No one likes to be told they are wrong, but the fact is, until one is convicted of his error no change or repentance can take place. Paul said, “I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).  Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth.  But in preaching the whole counsel of God we must not avoid all the unpleasant and challenging material that some call “negative preaching.”  As Racoon John Smith once told his audience, “I must remove the rocks, pull up the weeds and move out the stumps before I can plant the good seed of the kingdom, the word of God, in the hearts and lives of the people.”

Jesus was bold and unrelenting in His preaching.  Certainly no one acclaimed Him as a crowd-pleaser or compromiser.  But Jesus was also tender (John 11:35), considerate (John 19:27), meek and gentle (2 Cor. 10:1), and always, always compassionate (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32, etc.).  When honest and good hearts are confronted by the truth spoken in love (Eph. 4:15) they will not be offended by its negativity, but rather, thrilled by the “good news” that all the error and sin that has plagued their lives can be overcome in Christ.  “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation.”

                                                                                         -- Clark Dugger

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