Lest they SEE, Lest they HEAR.
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There are principles to be followed if we need to understand the word of God. It is not as easy as we think but, the Lord will always provided a way for those who genuinely seek Him.
(1.) You have to believe the Bible is its own expositor. It does not need outside material to prove, or improve a point. Not even once.
In 2 Timothy 3:16,17 we read " 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works".
A-L-L scripture can make one perfect in A-L-L good works. This does not leave anything outside.
This will help in bringing sanity to any Bible study where different denominations have "Other authorities" outside the Bible.
(2.) You have to have faith in the word of God alone and no other.
In Romans 10:17 we read "10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."
One writer was correct by saying:-
(3.)You have to believe the word of God does not change. It lives forever and changes lives.
In 1 Peter 1:23 we read "1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."
(4.) You have to believe the Bible is THE authority. It is the only standard for measurement of any accepted beliefs, not the other way round.
Isaiah 8:20 says, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
The word of God is His seed. It is our only source of life and without it we can do nothing.
(5.)You have to believe in prayer and that God answers ALL PRAYERS.
In James 1:5,6 we read, "1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. "
(6.)You have to believe in Jesus as the ONLY SAVIOR of the world.
John 3:17-19 " 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
(7.)You have to believe we will be saved as individuals not as a church.
John 3:16 " 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
These principles will help us read our Bibles from the right perspective as we proceed with Jesus's method of teaching.
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The prophecy is found in Psalms 78:2 it reads, "78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:"
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Truth will only be revealed to those who hunger for Truth. God spoke in Isaiah 6:9,10 " And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.
6:10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed."
As you read again in Ezekiel 6:1,2 we hear the following, "12:1 The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,
12:2 Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they [are] a rebellious house.
In Mark 4;10-12 the Bible reads, " 4:10 And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.
4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all [these] things are done in parables:
4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and [their] sins should be forgiven them."
Luke 8:18 reads as follows, " 8:18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have".
The following verses in John 12:34-43 says, " 12:34 The people answered him, We have heard out of the law that Christ abideth for ever: and how sayest thou, The Son of man must be lifted up? who is this Son of man?
12:35 Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.
12:36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
12:37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
12:38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
12:39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
12:40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with [their] eyes, nor understand with [their] heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
12:41 These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.
12:42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess [him], lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
12:43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God".
When Paul was in prison he spoke to those who visited him. In Acts 28:20-28 we read, "28:20 For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see [you], and to speak with [you]: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.
28:21 And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judaea concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake any harm of thee.
28:22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is spoken against.
28:23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into [his] lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and [out of] the prophets, from morning till evening.
28:24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
28:25 And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers,
28:26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not perceive:
28:27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with [their] eyes, and hear with [their] ears, and understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
28:28 Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and [that] they will hear it".
Romans 11:7-12 we read, "11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:
11:10 Let their eyes be darkened that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
11:11 I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but [rather] through their fall salvation [is come] unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
11:12 Now if the fall of them [be] the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness?"
Now let us read the book of Matthew 13:13-17 "13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:
13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and [their] ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with [their] eyes and hear with [their] ears, and should understand with [their] heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
13:16 But blessed [are] your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous [men] have desired to see [those things] which ye see, and have not seen [them]; and to hear [those things] which ye hear, and have not heard [them]."
God does not force His Truth on anyone. Unfortuantely many people are dull of hearing, closed their eyes and their ears lest they get converted.
It does not end there. Many Christians accept their church doctrine as the ULTIMATE TRUTH. Anyone who talks contrary to their cherished beliefs is regarded as an enermy of the church.
This reminds me of the time when Jesus was with his disciples.
Mark 9:38-40, reads " 9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
Isaiah 8:20 says, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."
Let the Word of God (Christ) be the only Authority in your life.
AMEN.
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