Communication is sometimes a very difficult task. It is not uncommon for us to misunderstand someone as well as be misunderstood by someone else. We spend our lives communicating with people on a daily basis, and yet we still do not master the art of communication.

For example, take note of some of the following real headlines written by professional writers (communicators).

Police Begin Campaign To Run Down Jaywalkers

Eye Drops Off Shelf

Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim

Miners Refuse To Work After Death

Two Sisters Reunited After 18 Years In Checkout Counter

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridge

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Killed

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks

Local High School Dropouts Cut In Half

The above headlines bring a smile to my face and remind me how poorly we sometimes communicate.

Not long ago, I read of a man who was visiting England, and who was invited to play in a game of Cricket. Since he never played, he asked for a summary of the rules. Here is what he was told:

Oh, it's quite a simple game, actually. You have two sides, one out in the field and one in. Each man that's on the side that's in goes out and when he's out he comes in and the next man goes in until he's out. When they are all out, the side that's out comes in and the side that's been in goes out and tries to get those coming in out. Sometimes, you get men still in and not out. When both sides have been in and out including the not outs, that's the end of the game. Ready to play?

Whew! Did you get all of that? Neither did I. Some things really sound hard to understand, don't they? But you know something, it's not that way with the Bible (John 7:17; 8:32; Ephesians 5:17). Oh yes, there are some difficult sections that demand more than a casual reading, but the Bible was written to be understood. When we read the Bible about what we should do to be saved, or how we should live, the message is simple and plain.

When you really stop and think about it, the problem with many people today is not that they cannot understand the Bible, it's that they choose not to obey it.

Like Paul, forgetting things which are behind and pressing forward

Like David, lifting up my eyes to the hills from which my help comes

Like Abraham, trusting my God implicitly

Like Enoch, walking in daily fellowship with my heavenly Father

Like Moses, suffering rather than enjoying the pleasure of sin for a time

Like Job, being patient and faithful in all circumstances

Like Joseph, turning my back on all evil advances

Like Gideon, advancing even when my friends are few

Like Andrew, striving to lead my brother to Christ

 
adapted, The West Side Vision, Russellville, AR