Why is it difficult to understand this?
The things that are in the Holy Scriptures are not easy to understand. Why did God make it so difficult? How can we understand them? Let's see.
Because of the difficulty in understanding the profound things spoken by God through His prophets and apostles, some scribes and religious leaders have developed unorthodox theories about human salvation, even claiming that it is enough to believe in Jesus to be saved, as if this belief were something mystical, like what exists among non-Christian Gentiles, such as Catholicism.
Now, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within them, springing up to eternal life.” And he said that he spoke in parables for this reason:
That is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear or understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: "Hearing you will hear and not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive. For the heart of this people has grown dull, and with their ears they have barely a hearing, and before their eyes they have hardened themselves, so that they might not see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Matthew 13:13-15.
So the reason why those people did not understand and did not comprehend Jesus' parables was because of the hardness of their hearts. This is no different today. Or, after two thousand years, have we become better?
God's proposal written by Solomon is still valid today, see:
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, AS YOU SEEK IT LIKE SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT LIKE HIDDEN TREASURES, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.” Proverbs 2:1-5.
In the past two millennia, humanity has made a giant leap in scientific knowledge and inventions, as well as in academic means for understanding texts; but the hardness of heart to apply oneself to the knowledge of God does not allow for a perfect understanding of all that has been left for humanity to be freed from its superstitions and heresies in order to be saved. This is why few find the narrow gate and the narrow way, as Jesus said would happen.
Even among people who consider themselves Christians, the evangelical people, there is no correct understanding and behavior; on the contrary, they are a source of criticism and scandal for many.
Therefore, do as God commanded and highlighted in capital letters above, and you will understand what is the good, just, perfect, and pleasing will of God for you, so that you may be a new creature born of the spirit.
Belem-Pa, 10/25/2025
Oli Prestes
Missionary
oliprest
Because of the difficulty in understanding the profound things spoken by God through His prophets and apostles, some scribes and religious leaders have developed unorthodox theories about human salvation, even claiming that it is enough to believe in Jesus to be saved, as if this belief were something mystical, like what exists among non-Christian Gentiles, such as Catholicism.
Now, Jesus said, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from within them, springing up to eternal life.” And he said that he spoke in parables for this reason:
That is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear or understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: "Hearing you will hear and not understand, and seeing you will see and not perceive. For the heart of this people has grown dull, and with their ears they have barely a hearing, and before their eyes they have hardened themselves, so that they might not see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Matthew 13:13-15.
So the reason why those people did not understand and did not comprehend Jesus' parables was because of the hardness of their hearts. This is no different today. Or, after two thousand years, have we become better?
God's proposal written by Solomon is still valid today, see:
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, AS YOU SEEK IT LIKE SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT LIKE HIDDEN TREASURES, THEN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.” Proverbs 2:1-5.
In the past two millennia, humanity has made a giant leap in scientific knowledge and inventions, as well as in academic means for understanding texts; but the hardness of heart to apply oneself to the knowledge of God does not allow for a perfect understanding of all that has been left for humanity to be freed from its superstitions and heresies in order to be saved. This is why few find the narrow gate and the narrow way, as Jesus said would happen.
Even among people who consider themselves Christians, the evangelical people, there is no correct understanding and behavior; on the contrary, they are a source of criticism and scandal for many.
Therefore, do as God commanded and highlighted in capital letters above, and you will understand what is the good, just, perfect, and pleasing will of God for you, so that you may be a new creature born of the spirit.
Belem-Pa, 10/25/2025
Oli Prestes
Missionary
oliprest
oliprest
Enviado por oliprest em 25/10/2025
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