Text: John 10:22-27
This Was Not a Sincere Request of Those Genuinely Seeking Truth
- The Jews asked Jesus to tell them plainly if He was the Christ (v. 24) — yet this request had already been granted (v. 25)
- Same thing happens today — on various subjects, man wants a plain answer; God has already told us in His word (1 Corinthians 2:10)
- Problem is not a lack of clarity, but a lack of faith
Man Blames God for Lack of Clarity
- If we don’t know/understand something, man often concludes that God was not clear enough — this makes Him the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)
- Many claim we cannot understand His word — yet Paul says we can (Ephesians 3:4)
- Is it that man believes God is incapable of leading us to understanding? — this would be strange, considering God made us in His image (Genesis 1:27)
- Is it that man believes God never intended for us to understand? — this wouldn’t make sense, since we’re commanded to obey (Ephesians 5:17)
Why People Don’t Understand
- Lack of faith in the fact that the word is truth (John 17:17) and/or that we can understand it (Ephesians 3:4)
- They are not of His sheep (John 10:25-26) — He sheep hear His voice (John 10:27)
- Bias in favor of people, traditions, and various preconceptions
- They really don’t want to understand (John 7:17) — understanding requires action (James 1:22)
Necessary Steps to Understanding
- Desire to hear (Matthew 11:15)
- Willingness to obey (John 7:17)
- Humility (James 1:21)
- Time & effort dedicated to study (2 Timothy 2:15)
- Recognition of what the word of God is (John 17:17; 2 Timothy 3:16)
