Jesus said in John 7:17, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.” The first “will” in this verse conveys the idea of desire; thus, Jesus is affirming if a man desires or wills to do God’s will, then he will know what God’s will is.
There are many today who say that the Bible cannot be understood. They point to the great variety of conflicting ideas people have about certain Bible subjects to try to prove their point. Though, many very educated people differ in their views of certain scriptures, Jesus’ words still ring true. A person who has a desire and determination to do what is right will be able to know what is right. The problem of conflict is not with the Bible, but with the hearts of those who interpret the Bible.
In Jesus’ explanation of the parable of the sower, He describes the good ground in Luke 8:15: “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.” Jesus points out those who hear God’s word and keep it have honest and good hearts. Honesty is essential for arriving at the true meaning of God’s word. Sadly, it is sometimes the case that people dismiss the Bible as confusing because they do not want to do what it says. They are looking in the Bible for something that will justify how they live rather than looking for how they should live. Their motives are not pure and honest; therefore, they do not properly interpret God’s word. R. L. Whiteside wrote on page 72 of his commentary on Romans, “When a person studies the Scriptures for any other purpose than to know God and to be able to do his will, there is no telling what sort of absurd conclusions he may arrive at.”
You can understand the Bible. Paul expected those in Ephesus to whom he wrote to be able to understand, “How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)” (Ephesians 3:3-4). The Bible is revelation from God to us; the very definition of the word revelation means that understanding is being imparted. God in His power and understanding can produce a book that the humans he created can understand. He has and it can be understood today even centuries later.
Daniel could read the book of Jeremiah years after it was written and understand that the captivity would last 70 years (Dan. 9:2). Centuries after God gave the law through Moses, Ezra could seek out its meaning, practice it in his life, and impart his understanding to others (Ezra 7:10). Nehemiah 8:2 describes the work of Ezra: “So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly of men and women and all who could hear with understanding on the first day of the seventh month.” Jesus expected men in the first century to understand what Daniel had to say concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)” (Matthew 24:15). God expects us to read and understand His will, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).
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