UNLOCKING A SEALED BOOK
Interpretation, Context, and Doctrine (rightly dividing the Word) are the core fundamentals for Bible study. If you apply these methods, you already know more Bible than 95% of Americans. Probably more than 85% of all pastors in America.These are the KEYS to UNLOCKING A SEALED BOOK.
1Co 2:14 says" But the NATURAL MAN receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are FOOLISHNESS unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." Ever try talking to unsaved people about Bible subjects? They just don't seem to get it, do they? Well, that's because they think it is "foolishness" as 1Co 2:14 says. I've had unsaved men and woman look me right in my face and laugh hysterically when trying to explain creation, or the trinity. Don't bother, it is "foolishness unto him". This is why I DO NOT advocate inviting unsaved people to church, unless there is a special, or some other event where the Gospel will be preached. Get them saved, then invite them to church. Church is for Christians! There is not one single church in the Bible that is a congregation of unbelievers.In Galatians, the unbelievers in the church were referred to as "LEAVEN", and a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump! Being "born again" is one key to unlocking the Bible.
1Pe 5:5 says" Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with HUMILITY: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the HUMBLE." God wants us to be humble. A humble man always seeks the truth. A humble man will hearken to criticism and not get angry. God cannot and will not work with the prideful man. Notice how He "RESISTETH THE PROUD". All through the Bible, God is constantly HUMBLING people, the hard way. A WISE OLD MAN ONCE SAID " IT IS BETTER TO EAT HUMBLE PIE ONE BITE AT A TIME, RATHER THAN ALL AT ONCE SHOVED IN YOUR FACE". There is a great deal of wisdom in that quote! God wants us to HUMBLE ourselves. 2Ch 7:14 says" If my people, which are called by my name, shall HUMBLE themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Did you see that the promise was conditional upon their HUMILITY. What a country America could be again if she would just HUMBLE herself. Humbling yourself is one key to unlocking the Bible.
1Ch 28:9 says" And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a WILLING mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." Finally, God wants you to be WILLING. I cant find one example in the Bible where God forced a man to do anything against his own WILL. You (saved or unsaved) have ALWAYS had a free WILL. If you are not WILLING to obey the scripture, then don't even pick the Book up! We would not have SALVATION if it were not for Jesus being WILLING to die on the cross. God is always looking for a WILLING man. Being willing is one key to unlocking the Bible.
I hope this answers some question you may have.
