Do Your Own Thinking

Not many of us think for ourselves when it comes to matters of religion. Many of us are what we are religiously because of the way our parents reared us and have never questioned whether we were right or wrong. We prefer to leave religious subjects and Bible issues to those supposedly trained and skilled in this field-the priest, theologians, pastors and preachers. Sometimes, we even get the idea that the Bible cannot be understood by common people. Some of the religious leaders even teach and encourage this view.

The Bible is not silent about the ability and responsibility of the average person to understand its message. "Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17). "As I wrote before in a few words, whereby when you read, you may understand…" (Eph. 3:3, 4). Surely God does not require something that is beyond one's ability.

The Jews of Berea were commended for being "…more noble than those in Thessalonica because they received the word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). What trait made them noble? It was their readiness to investigate, to study and search for themselves whether the new teaching was or was not in accordance with the written teachings of God. We have that same responsibility. Unfortunately, many today are more like the Thessalonians and do not possess the spiritual interest and nobility to test teachers and do their own studying of the Bible. The apostle Peter insisted that Christians should know what they believe, why they believe it and to be prepared to tell is to others (1 Pet. 3:15). The apostle John places the responsibility directly upon every Christian to follow the pattern of the Bereans and prove every teaching to be sure it is from God "because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 Jno. 4:1).

If we do not listen to God (as He speaks to us through the Bible) what excuse can we offer? He has given us a book that contains what he wants us to know, He has given us the necessary mental faculties to comprehend it, and He has made the substance of it (at least the essential message and important doctrines) simple and plain enough that all can understand it (Eph. 3:3, 4).

The church of Christ at Forum welcomes visitors and/or private home studies. See the link below for contact information: www.ForumCOC.org