God Uses Humble Bible Students to do Great Things
When we allow the Bible to explain itself, God can use ordinary people to do great things.
Years ago, when I worked on the sort isle at UPS, our supervisors would occasionally bring in food to eat, while we worked at four in the morning. One such time, my supervisor, who was also a Protestant seminary student, offered me a slice of pizza with pepperoni. I asked him if there was any pizza with just cheese. He knew I was a Seventh-day Adventist and did not eat pork. Still he asked me, “What about the vision Peter had in Acts 10?” I replied, “You mean the one where Peter said,
God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28 KJV
My supervisor said, “You know your Bible!” He understood right away that the Bible left no mistake about what Peter’s vision meant. The Bible does not say Peter realized he should not call any animal unclean. Peter and the Word of God are clear. God showed Peter he should not call any man unclean.
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The Bible will explain itself if we let it. That is one reason why it is so easy to give Bible studies. You don’t have to be a brilliant philosopher. All you need to do is show people the Word of God, and let God’s Word explain itself.
Likewise when Jesus was asked why His disciples did not follow the traditional ceremonial washing of hands, many jump to conclusions when Jesus said,
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Matthew 15:11 KJV
Some claim Jesus was declaring unclean meats clean, but unclean meat is nowhere in the context of conversation. Once again you don’t need an ordained minister to figure out what Jesus as talking about. He tells us very plainly what He was talking about.
to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:20 KJV
Jesus tells us plainly He was talking about eating with unwashed hands. He was not referring to unclean foods. Once again the Bible clearly explains itself without any fancy human philosophy.
While the great people of the world may use witty human reasoning to impress their followers, Jesus did not use human wit and reasoning. Jesus stuck with the Scriptures and a plain “It is Written” or “What saith the Scriptures?” He let the Bible explain itself. Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (John 16:13), and that means that He will teach us the truth that is in the Bible so that we may share it with others. We have no need of human wit or philosophy. We just need to listen to what the Spirit says to us through the Scriptures.
Jesus Himself learned to know the will of God by studying the Bible under the guidance of His earthly mother and the Holy Spirit.
Every child may gain knowledge as Jesus did. As we try to become acquainted with our heavenly Father through His word, angels will draw near, our minds will be strengthened, our characters will be elevated and refined. We shall become more like our Saviour…. Communion with God through prayer develops the mental and moral faculties, and the spiritual powers strengthen as we cultivate thoughts upon spiritual things. –Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, Page 70.
God blessed my effort as an ordinary UPS worker when I convinced a seminary student of truth, by simply referring to Simple Scriptures. As you became acquainted with your Heavenly Father through studying His Word in a prayerful spirit, the Holy Spirit will also use you to help others know the truth about God and His love. Jesus promises,
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. John 15:5 NLT
We don’t need extraordinary programs or extraordinary wit. When we remain in Jesus through the Holy Spirit, prayer and Bible study, God will produce extraordinary fruit through ordinary folks like you and me.
