In what ways can we strengthen our faith when facing challenging doctrines? Setting the Scene: The Hard Saying in Capernaum “On hearing it, many of His disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’” (John 6:60) Recognize the Source of Difficulty • Hard doctrines stretch finite minds trying to grasp infinite truth (Isaiah 55:8-9). • Difficulty does not equal error; it often signals depth we have not yet mined (Romans 11:33). Remember Who Is Speaking • “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life” (John 6:63). • Peter’s confession anchors us: “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68-69). • Trust the character of Christ when His words feel weighty; He is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Lean on the Whole Counsel of Scripture • Compare Scripture with Scripture (Acts 17:11). • “All Scripture is God-breathed” and therefore harmonious (2 Timothy 3:16). • Allow clear passages to illuminate difficult ones. Ask for the Spirit’s Illumination • “The natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God… because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). • Prayerfully depend on the Helper promised by Jesus (John 14:26). • Expect progressive understanding; revelation often unfolds over time. Hold Fast to What You Already Know • Anchor in settled truths: Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • Use what is clear to steady you while studying what is hard. Walk in Obedience First, Understanding Follows • “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Obedience positions the heart to receive deeper insight (John 7:17). Stay Close to the Body of Christ • Gather with believers who “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Benefit from the gifts of teachers and pastors (Ephesians 4:11-13). • Test insights together, guarding against private misinterpretation. Guard Against Grumbling • The murmuring in John 6 clouded spiritual perception. • “Do everything without complaining … so that you may be blameless” (Philippians 2:14-15). • Replace grumbling with gratitude for revealed truth. Look to the Ultimate Hard Saying: The Cross • The gospel itself once seemed foolish (1 Corinthians 1:18). • If God did not spare His own Son (Romans 8:32), He will also make sense of every lesser mystery in due time. Encouragement for Today • Hard doctrines are invitations deeper into Christ, not exits from faith. • Stand with Peter: “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). • Keep trusting, keep studying, keep following—He will strengthen your faith as you do. |
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