We have no shortage of knowledge at our fingertips, yet we have a vast shortage of open minds. Minds willing to humble themselves as they discuss and reason about God’s Word. Instead of being offended when something contradicts our current beliefs, why not turn to Scripture and let God’s complete words be the final answer?

“For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10 NIV)

Are you offended or curious when someone states something from God’s Word that you’ve been taught differently? Is it possible you have been taught only part of the answer? Do you take time to review the Scripture they provide to support their claim, or do you go to a preacher or friend for a response? Will you take time to examine the Scriptures daily to see whether their points are true, or will you cling to your feelings on the matter?

Why not let the inspired words of God do the talking so you can learn more fully? Why not study the whole truth more closely yourself and seek answers from God’s word to any discrepancies between what you believe and what God’s word tells us?

This is how we can unite with Scripture! Instead of forcing pieces of Scripture to fit our feelings and current understanding, take a closer look.

This is the example the Apostle Paul gave us; he went into the synagogues to reason.

While in Thessalonica, Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” And some of them were persuaded…” Acts 17:2-6

Paul reasoned from Scripture, yet not all were persuaded.

Later, in the town of Berea, Paul went into the synagogue to reason, and God’s word points out that those in this synagogue: “Now these Jews were more noble than those of Thessalonica; They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” Acts 17:11

Why were they considered more noble? Because of their open minds and eagerness to know the truth

By approaching God’s word with an open mind, we will indeed do our best to learn. So, let’s do so eagerly, examining Scripture to see if what we understand is so.

2nd Timothy 2:15 tells us: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us: ”For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,”

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” (James 4:10 NIV)

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV“)

Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 119:18, 119:105, 119:160; Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 18:13; John 17:17; Acts 17:2-4; Acts 17:11; Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 13:9-10; 1 Corinthians 14:33; Galatians 1:8-9; Ephesians 4:3-6, 4:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 5:21; 2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; James 1:21-25; James 4:6, 4:10; 2 Peter 1:19-21; 1 John 4:1.

God’s word is complete.

God First!