How many Christians say, “I wish I could understand my Bible better”?
In this passage, Jesus tells us how to do so.
First, have an open heart to what God says.
You see, Jesus teaches us as much as we can understand. (Mark 4:33)
But more than once, he says in this passage, “Let anyone who has ears to hear listen.” (9, 23)
The problem with many people is that they don’t truly welcome the word they do understand. (20)
Instead they argue with it. Or they simply ignore it.
And so Jesus says,
Pay attention to what you hear. By the measure you use, it will be measured to you–and more will be added to you.
For whoever has, more will be given to him, and whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. (Mark 4:24-25)
The key to understanding your Bible is not merely learning things you have never heard before. The key is putting into practice what you already do understand.
Again, the problem with most Christians is not that they don’t understand a lot of things the Bible says. The problem is that they don’t do anything about what they do understand. Or worse, they rebel against it.
If you put into practice what you do understand, Jesus says you will be given even more understanding.
If you don’t, however, you’ll end up like those people Jesus talked about, “seeing, but never perceiving, hearing but never understanding.” (12)
Do you truly wish to understood your Bible better? How much are you putting into practice what you do understand?
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 