Many people seem to think that the Bible is hard to understand. Sure, there are things that are difficult. That’s definitely true. Still, the issue of “understanding” is often related to our unwillingness to accept what is plainly before us rather than our intellectual knowledge. The reality is that we often don’t want to understand what it is that God is telling us when we read the scripture. These are matters of the heart, not the head.

While the Bible was written primarily in Greek and Hebrew, we don’t have to know those languages to understand the Bible. By God’s grace, His word has been protected, passed on, and translated for us so that we don’t have to be scholars to understand much of His Word or His will for us. Again, there are certainly things that are difficult, but what is amazing to me is how simple and straightforward much of God’s Word is. He does not hide Himself from us. Instead, He reveals Himself clearly and simply.

Some of the scripture verses we know best are pretty straight forward. And often they center around what are very simple words. One of the most obvious for me is Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I can’t read this and pretend it doesn’t apply to me. Why? Because “ALL” have sinned. No deep theology there. I’ve written about recognizing our sin, and its extent and consequences before in my posts “We Have Earned Our Wages”, and “Admitting My Sin.” Should you, or someone you know, think that the “ALL” somehow doesn’t apply to them, take a look.

Another simple, uncomplicated, favorite of mine, and probably the best-known verse in the Bible, is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God graciously responds to the “all have sinned” issue with love. The consequences, or the “wages” (see Rom 6:23), of our sin is death. But God, by His grace, gives us life.

And, again, within this well-known verse is another one of those simple words: “World.” It means what you think it means. The whole world. The earth and everyone in it. Which tells us that this gift that God gives, His Son, and the opportunity for eternal life, is available to everyone. It is completely inclusive. Completely fair. No one is left out. So simple and straightforward!

Indulge me with one more example of these straightforward words from God:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

and he will make your paths straight” (Pro 3:5-6)

Another pretty well-known passage. And, again, I think a pretty straight-forward message revolving around a pretty simple word. Paraphrased: If we trust God, if we submit to Him, He will make our path straight. In other words, He will move us toward the goal of being who God wants us to be. And believe me, being who God wants us to be is what is best for us. It is the way to peace, joy, and, ultimately, happiness and eternal life. And in the process God is glorified.

Seems simple, right? But there is that one simple word again: “All.” Yep, in order to achieve the life God wants for us, we have to trust Him. Not just trust Him a little but with “all your heart.” That’s big. When the word heart is used in the Bible it refers to the center of our thoughts, and our emotions, our will and decisions. It is who we are on the inside. And the Bible tells us to trust all of who we are to God.

And the Bible further clarifies this act of trust in God. Just in case it isn’t clear enough that submitting our hearts results in different actions, the proverb emphasizes submitting our “ways” to Him. Again, not just some of them, but “all your ways.” We trust and submit in everything we think and do. Not hard to understand but not always easy to do. Not an intellectual exercise but, rather, as I mentioned at the beginning, a matter of the heart, not the head.

While the verses I’ve mentioned aren’t unique in their simplicity, I didn’t choose them randomly. They represent a Biblical pattern. We recognize our sin, God offers forgiveness and eternal life, we respond in love with submission and devotion to Him. If boiled down, that is very much what the whole Bible is about. Put another way, God shows us we have separated ourselves from Him and need Him. He demonstrates His love to us. We are called to accept His love with the submission of our lives.

In my mind it’s not possible to read these verses without asking a simple question of myself: Am I all in? Yes, pun intended. Perhaps, you’re asking the same question. Am I trusting God with all my heart and submitting all my ways? Or, is my Christian walk one foot in one foot out, so to speak?

Of course, we make mistakes. Some days we misstep and slip up. But the direction of our life needs to be one of full dependence. One step at a time. One foot in front of the other, if I can continue with the metaphor. Letting God direct our paths to who He wants us to be.

Dave Foucar has a passion for teaching God’s word. His first book, “What Do I Say When Asked About Jesus?” is a conversational approach to helping people answer questions about Jesus. The book provides a layman’s perspective on personal evangelism and the basics of the Christian faith. Dave has been married for thirty-six years to the love of his life, Debbie. They have three daughters, two sons-in-law, and two granddaughters. To read more of David’s writing visit his Substack page.

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