There are keys to understanding God’s word, and thereby understanding Him. There are no “secret” keys that you have to pay someone to tell you. There is no hidden code to understanding God or the times we live in. God says His wisdom is accessible to all who ask, regardless of your “station” in life, financial or economic standing.
Jam 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
I share these keys freely with you, in hope that you will prayerfully read what I have written here, and strive to obtain the truth of God, and not settle for church, denominational, or human error.
The first Key to understanding God’s word to us, is that one must first and foremost, be a believer, and depend on His Holy Spirit for discernment. Are you a believer? Have you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? We are told in Acts 2:38, that the first thing that happened to believers after accepting Jesus Christ and repentance of sin, that all were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and were baptized in the Holy Ghost!
Second Key
The second key (and one which the majority of the people in my humble opinion fall short) is to know that the scripture, our Bible, is for the believer, not the unbeliever. The Bible is God’s Holy Spirit inspired instruction manual, on how to live as faithful believers. I guess the Bible can also be known as:
“Now that you are a believer in Christ, here is what to, and what not to do.”
This is why we do not find the different letters and books penned for, or addressed to non believers.
There are certainly passages that we use, to point out God’s plan of salvation to man through Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice (as the disciples did, pointing out Old Testament scripture that spoke of the coming Messiah, or to explain more clearly and in depth God’s plan of salvation to those who were already believers).
I must interject at this point; One of the tasks of His Holy Spirit, is to convict of sin.
When an unbeliever hears the word of God, about Jesus Christ’s dying for our sins, that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, etc., the Holy Spirit will convict the hearer of their sins and bear witness of the truth of Jesus Christ as Lord. John Wesley called this prevenient grace.
(http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/wesley/walk.stm#prevenient)
But, the majority of scripture is directed to and for the believer.
This is very important, because where many may think that certain verses are contrasting the believer and the nonbeliever, (we find this pattern of interpretation especially with the eternal security proponents) clarity will suddenly allow one to see that the issue was and is still, not the believer and the non-believer, but the faithful believer and the non-faithful believer.
Now, one can be a true believer and still depend on his or her natural mind to try and interpret scripture. This is why we have most of our false and bad doctrine.
To try and understand the bible with our natural minds, only means that our own particular insecurities, weaknesses and short comings would become the filter by which we interpret scripture. God cannot allow these faults, sins, hurts, etc., to become the analyzer of His Holy things.
Rom 8:7 because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can it be.
Please notice the duality of this verse applying to both believers and non believers. If a carnal mind, is not subject to God, then scripture could not possibly apply to a non believer until they come to God through the saving knowledge of Christ.
For those who believe that the above verse is still not speaking to “real” believers, you need to read all of chapter 8, including this one as well:
Rom 8:12-13 So, then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh, 13 for if you live according to flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the practices of the body, you will live.
Verse 13 says, “You are going to die”, future tense. An unbeliever is dead in their sins already, and have not received new life. Hence, we would not say “going to” to someone who is already in possession of said thing.
Read what Jesus warns the Church at
Rev 3:15-16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I would that you were cold, or hot.
16 so, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of My mouth.
We know that our Lord is addressing the Church at
Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
We see examples of people using their natural mind to interpret scripture when they say that Jesus was an angel, or that one or more of the first disciples were of a homosexual lifestyle, etc.
Promiscuity, adultery, abortions and divorce are justified and run rampant in our “mainstream” denominations. Practicing and openly gay clergy are being ordained. We justify praying to “saints” and think that our end result will be different than the Israelites, who were punished and destroyed for praying to and worshipping other gods as well!
Heb 2:1-3 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and if every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by those who heard Him;
We take verses like; “Eph 5:3-7 For let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness not be once named among you, as becomes saints, 4 neither baseness, foolish talking, jesting, which are not becoming, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For you know this, that no fornicator, or unclean person, or covetous one (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the
This was neither written to unbelievers nor would it matter to an unbeliever. An unbelieving fornicator doesn’t go to hell because they fornicate but because they do not believe in the only begotten Son of God.
However, the believing fornicator not only knows better, but by continual and unrepentant in their sin, not only is more accountable than the non believer, but also makes the blood of Christ of non affect in their lives. Understand this, once you become born again, you cannot become born again, again. One can be renewed, refilled and recommitted but not re-born again.
2Pe 2:20-22 For if they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the full knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and are again entangled, they have been overcome by these, their last things are worse than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have fully known the way of righteousness, than fully knowing it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 But the word of the true proverb has happened to them: The dog turning to his own vomit; and, The washed sow to wallowing in the mire.
You see, verse 20 says that they escaped the pollutions of the world, having FULL knowledge of the Lord and savior Jesus Christ! That does not mean (in spite of what I just read from well known commentators) that they had a partial knowledge, or that maybe they were not really believers on the inside just outwardly! What non believer does the bible ever describe as having “escaped the pollutions of the world”?
Lord help us! How we bend, pervert and twist scripture to justify our sinful ways! Forgive us Father.
1Co 6:9-10 Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the
Once again, the question must be asked: Would a person, who is a non believer, who does not fornicate, or none of the other sins mentioned in the above verses, make it into heaven?
Let’s put the question another way, shall we? Will a morally upstanding person, such as a Buddhist monk, who does not believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, make it into heaven?
No! Why not? Because it is, initially, the not accepting Christ that keeps one from heaven. Then why contrast “unrighteous” and the other sins mentioned? By definition, an unrighteous person is someone who does not accept Christ as Lord. We have already read in scripture that the unrighteous person is spiritually free (and incapable) of righteousness (Rom 6:20). So, the later part of 1 Cor 6:9-10 must be speaking about another type of person other than the non believing (unrighteous).
The Holy Spirit is speaking directly to the believer practicing sinful acts. That is why He says “Do not be deceived”! In other words, “Do not think that because you are a believer, you can do theses things and get away with it. The unrighteous will not make it into the
The Lord says in John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”, not if you love me, just confess with your mouth…. . Confession and believing is just the beginning of righteousness and holiness, not the journey or the end.
We have allowed sinful “ministers” and “leaders” of God, in need of justifying their love of sinful practices, to deceive us into believing that scriptures such as 1Cor 6:9 and 10 are speaking on the unbelieving world, and not to His people.
Rom 2:1 Therefore you are without excuse, O man, everyone who judges; for in that in which you judge another, you condemn yourself, for you who judge do the same things.
2 But know that the judgment of God is according to truth on those who practice such things. 3 And, O man, the one judging those who do such things, and practice them, do you think this, that you shall escape the judgment of God?
God is still addressing His people. God is warning His people to stay out of sin, or else judgment. God cannot instruct the non believer on how to live righteous lives. God expects, and insists on righteousness and faithfulness from His people! He is instructing His people today! Just as He warned and instructed the Israelites about their sinful practices (notice, they were still God’s people, who did not escape judgment for their sin) He is warning His New Testament people!
1Pe 4:17-18 For the time has come for the judgment to begin from the house of God. And if it first begins from us, what will be the end of those disobeying the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous one is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Both John the Baptist (Matthew 3:2) and Jesus (Matthew 4:17) proclaim the same message, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is near!”
This message wasn’t proclaimed to the non believing gentiles, but to God’s own people! God was instructing His own to repent of their sins, change their ways and give their hearts and ways back to God! And God is proclaiming that same message to His children this very day!
God’s people were also warned by John the Baptist, (Matt 3:8-10) and Jesus (Matt 7:15-23), that they had a responsibility to bear good fruit. A non believer does not bear responsibility for bearing good fruit, simply because they are incapable. We can only bear good fruit after the Holy Spirit is indwelling within us, and we let Him have his way in us. The first responsibility of a non believer is to believe on Christ as Lord and savior.
So, the point I am trying to bring out, is that even the initial message of repentance was to us, as God’s people, not as non believers.
GOD’S PROVISION TO GENTILE CONVERTS
Third key to understanding God’s word, is that God always allowed non Jewish people to become converts. In doing so, the promises, as well as the warnings were theirs as well.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons; 35 but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him. (MKJV)
This is the apostle Peter’s declaration after coming to a Roman Centurion’s home. (Please, read all of Acts 10.)
The NIV says it this way; “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.”
I appreciate the way the NIV reads in this instance, because the provision for gentile believers has always been there in the Old Testament. Peter was receiving confirmation from the Lord and then the Holy spirit. (Acts 10:44-47) Unfortunately, Peter had some hang ups that the Lord had to deal with him on, as we all do. He was even confronted by Paul about these same prejudices. (Please read Galatians 2:11-16)
Here are just a couple of New Testament scriptures and a few OT scriptures so that one may begin to understand God’s heart on this matter:
(As always, please read the entire chapter of Romans 2 and 4)
Rom 2:28-29 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that outwardly in flesh; 29 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart; in spirit and not in letter; whose praise is not from men, but from God.
Rom 4:12 and a father of circumcision to those not of the circumcision only, but also to those walking by the steps of the faith of our father Abraham during uncircumcision.
Gen 17:12 And a son of eight days shall be circumcised among you, every male child in your generations; he that is born in the house, or bought with silver of any stranger who is not of your seed.
Gen 17:27 And all the men of his house, that were born in the house, and bought with silver of the stranger, were circumcised with him.
Exo 12:48 And when a stranger shall stay with you, and desires to keep the Passover to Jehovah, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. And he shall be as one that is born in the land. And no uncircumcised person shall eat of it.
Lev 18:26 You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations, neither the native, nor any stranger that lives among you.
Lev 19:34 The stranger that dwells with you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself. For you were strangers in the
Num 9:14 And if a stranger shall live among you, and prepares the Passover to Jehovah, he shall do according to the ordinance of the Passover, and according to its ordinance. You shall have one ordinance, both for the stranger and for him that was born in the land.
Num 15:15-16 One ordinance for you of the congregation and also for the stranger that resides with you, an ordinance forever in your generations. As you are, so the stranger shall be before Jehovah. 16 One law and one way shall be for you and for the stranger that lives with you.
2Ch 6:32 And also to the stranger who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your great name's sake, and Your mighty hand, and Your stretched out arm, if they come and pray in this house; 33 then hear from Heaven, from Your dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calls to You for, so that all people of the earth may know Your name, and fear You, as Your people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name.
I believe the fourth and final key to understanding God’s word, is one must truly desire the truth of His word. The truth that will go against your “religion”, church and denominational “truth”.
Ask your self these questions:
1) Do you stand up for what your denomination or church says, or do you stand up for what the word of God says?
2) Do you accept church doctrine and interpretation of scripture, more than you accept bible interpretation (scripture interprets scripture) and Holy Spirit discernment?
3) Do you love the truth the world has to offer more than you love the truth of God and His word?
4) Do you yield to denominational and church pressure to see the scriptures in a particular way, or do you yield yourself to the Holy Spirit's discernment ?
Jesus loves us, and died to make us whole and bring us into His fullness, not the fullness of our selves, the world or our churches.
The understanding of God and His word is all of Him, and none of us. All we need do is surrender ourselves.
Surrender your fleshly desires, and He will give you His holy desires.
Surrender your earthly ways, that He may give you His heavenly ones.
Surrender your corrupt fruit, that He may give you incorruptible fruit that doesn’t perish.
Author’s Note
Writing this has truly been a labor of love under the leading and direction of the Holy Spirit. I have prayed, read, re-read, and re-written, constantly going over thoughts and scriptures. I needed to make sure that it is as close to what I perceive the Holy Spirit is showing me. That was my responsibility.
So, I ask your forgiveness if my words fall short in this task, and try to understand the Spirit of this study.
Your responsibility, is to allow the holy spirit to guide you into all truths. Let this article (or whatever it is you may want to call it) be a seed that the Holy Spirit will grow in the heart of your spirit. Then, pray about what it is the Lord is trying to reveal to you, and pass His wisdom and knowledge on….however He leads you to do it.
God Bless You.
Min. Eric