In Luke 24:45 we read, “Then he [the Lord Jesus Christ] opened their minds, so they could understand the Scriptures.”

HOW DO WE UNDERSTAND A DIFFICULT PART OF THE WORD OF GOD?

“THE BOOK OF BOOKS”

A. The most important thing is to pray that the Holy Spirit will open our minds. Let us also remember that it says in Acts 16:14, “The Lord opened her heart [the heart of Lydia] to respond to Paul’s message.”

“Lord, open the hearts of the unbelievers!” I think that is the most important prayer of all times, especially for the present time.

B. We must read the context. We must read the surrounding passages. A teacher at Bible school said to us something like this: “By taking verses of the Bible out of context, we can make the Bible say anything.”

C. We must ask our brothers and sisters in Christ. What is the Holy Spirit teaching other members of the Body of Christ at the present time? The Holy Spirit is the author of the Scriptures.

D. We must consult Bible Dictionaries and Bible Commentaries. One of my Bible Dictionaries is in two pieces, but I can still use it with some difficulties. In Reference Works we find what the Holy Spirit has taught the Body of Christ in centuries gone by. Dr Lloyd-Jones’ exposition of Romans is a massive series of sermons. I have several volumes, not only of Romans, but also of Ephesians.

Just as the Lord opened the minds of the disciples in Luke 24:45 long ago, the Holy Spirit is opening our minds today when we study the Bible.

One ore flower

“THEN HE OPENED THEIR MINDS SO THEY COULD UNDERSTAND THE SCRIPTURES.” – Luke 24:45

HEART

“One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” – Acts 16:14

They wanted a summary, and they got it from the highest authority, the Lord Jesus Christ.

THE NORTHLAND AGE, Thursday, October 27, 2016

The Pharisees had more than 600 laws. They had also questions: Which laws are more important? Which laws are less important? Another question was also: What is the most important law?

An expert in he law, who should have actually known the answer, asked the Lord Jesus Christ the last question: WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LAW?

What does the Lord Jesus Christ do? His answer comes from the Bible; he is quoting from the Old Testament: Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

Deuteronomy 6:5 “AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR [MIND AND] HEART, AND WITH YOUR ENTIRE BEING, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT.” (The Amplified Bible)

Leviticus 19:18 “YOU SHALL NOT TAKE REVENGE OR BEAR ANY GRUDGE AGAINST THE SONS OF YOUR PEOPLE, BUT YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. I AM THE LORD.” (The Amplified Bible)

We keep all the others by fulfilling these two commands. These two commands summarize the Ten Commandments and the other Old Testament moral laws.

We find the Ten Commandments in the book of Exodus, chapter 20:1-17.

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”  That are the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:14.

When we forgive others, we acknowledge our common ground as sinners. All of us are in need of God’s forgiveness. In Romans 3:23 it says, “…, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, …”

“FORGIVEN”

On what is God’s forgiveness of sin based? It is based on our realizing what forgiveness means. Ephesians 4:32 teaches, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” It is not a direct result of our forgiving others.

What should we ask ourselves, whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin? We should ask ourselves, “Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?”

Psychologists are telling us also about the benefits of learning to forgive: better health, better sleep and better relationships are some of them.

In Matthew 6:15 the Lord Jesus Christ says, “But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father  will not forgive your sins.”

Thermometer

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out o my mouth.” – Revelation 3:15,16