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Can We All See the Bible Alike?
If a statement is made often enough, people will come to believe it even though it is not true. A good example is that which you hear so often in religion, “We can’t all see the Bible alike.” The Apostle Paul disagrees with this idea in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
If we can’t all see alike, why would Paul, the inspired apostle, tell us to do so?
We Do See Alike in Everyday Affairs
- We see alike on the point that each automobile must have a state license. Those who cannot see this are punished.
- We see that all must stop for a red light. What is your interpretation of a red light? Does it mean “stop” to one and “go” to another? It means “Stop” to all. One who will not see this endangers his life and the lives of others. He is required to pay a fine.
- We see the time of day exactly alike. Those who refuse to see, like all the rest of us, miss their appointments. If we should disagree on the time of day, we simply go to the recognized authority and correct BOTH our watches.
The objection may be made that we do not see alike on the kind of automobile to buy or the kind of clothes to wear. But there is NO LAW that tells us we must purchase a certain make of car or wear a certain type of clothing. Where there is a law that tells us what to do, we MUST, and we DO see alike in everyday matters. Where there is no law, we are at liberty to do as we please. BUT THE BIBLE IS GOD’S LAW – NOT MAN’S OPINION.
Can We All See the Bible Alike
James 1:25 tells us that we are under a perfect law of liberty. We must see the commands of this LAW alike. Can we do so?
- The Bible tells us there is only one God. Can we all see this? The heathen in Paul’s day did not think they could. Why? Simply because they would not accept what the Bible said. All who believe the Bible can see this alike.
- The Bible affirms that Jesus is the Son of God. Can we all see this? Some do not. Why? Do they not understand what the Bible says? Does it tell one man that Jesus IS the Son of God and another that He is NOT? Some simply will not believe the Bible.
- The Bible tells us there is but one body (1 Corinthians 12:20), and that body is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). American people are as hard to convince concerning the oneness of the church as Romans and Greeks were concerning the oneness of God. Yet Ephesians 4:6 says there is one God. Ephesians 4:4 says there is one body. Does the word “one” have two meanings? It means ONE in both passages.
- Jesus tells us to believe in Him, John 3:16. The Bible tells us to repent, Acts 17:30. Peter commanded men to be baptized, Acts 10:48. Some will not obey. Is it because they are uncertain whether God wants them to repent and be baptized? Do we have trouble seeing these commands, or do men simply refuse to believe and obey God?
Conclusion
Since the Apostle Paul commanded us to see the Bible alike (1 Corinthians 1:10), and since Jesus prayed that all should be one (John 17:20-21), and since God does not require of us that which is impossible, we CAN see the Bible alike!
