Is the Bible Complicated?

By Paula Williamson, guest writer

I’ve been told the Bible is too complicated to understand. I can see why some would say that. I’ve been reading the Bible for over 50 years, and when I first began, I was sometimes confused. Even Jesus’ disciples asked Him what the greatest commandment was.

It Is Written

MATTHEW 22:37 -39 And Jesus replied to him, “‘ YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND .’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ The second is like it, ‘ YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’

The Love Lens

Jesus answered the disciples’ question with, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” He went on to say that doing so fulfilled the law and the prophets. When you look at scripture through the lens of God loving us, our loving God, and loving others as ourselves, it narrows down many questions. When you are uncertain and scripture seems complicated, pull out the love lens.

Prayer

Lord, Scripture says You are love, and if we don’t know love, we don’t know You. It also says in 2 Corinthians 13 to do all things in love, and the greatest thing we can do is to love. Help Your love flow through me today and always. Remind me to see through the lens of love.

Takeaway

Love of God, self, and others fulfills the law and the prophets.