When Scripture was first written, its Author knew the message He wanted to convey. Today, His words have the same intended meaning, and that meaning is usually quite plain. Jesus shows that people who respond to Him do so through knowing and understanding the truth. He says,
As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (Matthew 13:23).
You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
Likewise, the apostle John said, “We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding” (1 John 5:20). Paul said that his readers would be able to understand what he wrote (Ephesians 3:4). God empowered him to “bring to light for everyone” the Gospel, which in earlier times had been a mystery (Ephesians 3:5-9).
True, Paul did write about some difficult subjects (2 Peter 3:15-16). “Faith and works” is probably not one of those difficult subjects. People certainly struggle over questions of faith and works. But these struggles likely have more to do with historical roots, personal experiences, close friends and strong feelings than with the Bible’s clarity.
So, join us in trying to remove distorting lenses. Let’s try to read the Bible for what it says, not for what we think it ought to say. Let the Bible define what it means by its own words. Treat the Bible with respect, honesty, fairness, and—especially in this subject—balance. In Lesson Two, we will turn to Jesus to show us the meaning and value of balance.