[2 Peter 3:15-16 KJV] “And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;”
“as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction“
I want to exhort you to always read the Bible in the context that God wants all men to walk in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. God is holy and expects us to be holy; you must always read the Bible in that context.
It is important to understand that certain parts of the Scriptures are more difficult to understand than others. Apostle Peter testifies that Apostle Paul has some kind of superior wisdom that makes him write things that are hard to understand.
These portions of the Scriptures poses a danger to two main classes of people:
- The unlearned and
- The unstable
These are the two key classes of people who find it hard to understand and interpret the Scriptures in context.
Anytime you meet anyone who is either unlearned or unstable, beware of their interpretation of the Scriptures. When people are unstable, they fall into the danger of wrestling portions of the Scriptures.
One of the key requirements of God’s servants or preachers is to rightly divide the word of truth, being a workman who needs not be ashamed. To be able to rightly divide the word of truth, you must first understand that the Bible contains:
- Instructions
- Promises
- Warnings
- Testimonies and
- Accounts or narrations
The Bible is the word of God and must be read in context. Whatever portion of the Bible you read may be categorized into any of these.
- The promises of God gives us hope and faith
- The testimonies of the Lord will keep us from covetousness (See Psalm 119:36)
- The warnings of the Lord will keep our souls from destruction
- The instructions of the Lord will make us wise and give us understanding
- The accounts or narrations of the Lord comforts and teaches us lessons to learn (See Roman 15:1-4)
God bless you so much. I do not doubt that God will guide your heart into the Scriptures.
Stay blessed
Simpe Bediako
