Falling through the cracks?

Those Who Cannot Read, or Understand
Or Don’t Have The Resources to Study

I have been thinking a lot lately about those who cannot read or don’t have the ability to understand well; as this relates to all of the talk and writing about our need to study and use the bible and related resources to become “mature” in Christ or to be an “overcomer” Now all of the pious people out there put your religious brakes on and just hold on a minute, listen, and hear me out. I know you’re wanting to jump on this like leaves on the tree of knowledge. Don’t load your gospel gun just yet. I am just honestly seeking your thoughts and searching my own.
I love to study the bible more than anything I can think of doing. I have been seriously studying the bible for over 30 years. If you could see my study you would see the walls are lined with book shelves filled with books all about the bible in some way or other. Also I have other boxes stored away that are filled with more books. I have about 50 bibles of all shapes and sizes. Some marked up so bad you can hardly read them. I used to think that when a new version or study bible came out on the market; I had to have one immediately. I now mostly study on computer because you can do as much research on any topic in one hour that would have taken all day with the books; and still probably not come up with as much material. I now strongly rely on studying the original languages. I have three computer bible programs with capabilities that will blow your mind using hundreds of resources; dictionaries, commentaries, ect. ect. ect. giving Greek, Hebrew, definitions from many many resources with a single click, over 70 versions of the bible that you can easily compare side by side. And I love to sit and click, read, research, all day every day if I have the time and my body will allow me. I have said all that not to brag in any way about myself or my collection of books or computer resources; but to let you know I LOVE THE BIBLE AND THE STUDY OF IT; I BELIEVE IT IS THE WORD OF GOD, Don’t forget that.
Now taking into consideration the whole world, and not just our own limited sphere of life. There are literally millions maybe billions of people in the world that are not as blessed as we are here in the good ole USA; many have little education, many cannot read or do not have a bible or any resources to study. Many have never seen a bible or heard the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved – “Jesus” or is it Yeshua or Jehoshua, or Mashiah Jehovah, or Jesús I guess here in America it would be Jesus Christ; I don’t know about you but I cant even begin to pronounce His name in some languages.The point is I don’t think it matters to God what sounds come out of our mouths as much as what you are meaning in your heart. There are many people that, even if they had the resources and could read would have difficulty understanding what they read. Some have real problems comprehending what they read - even here in the USA.
Now here’s the deal; with all this needed study of the bible to become “overcomers” or mature in Christ; what are they to do? Are they excluded from being one of these full-grown Christians and only have a chance at being saved in this life, ( I know all will eventually be saved in the end of the ages; but I am speaking of here and now) or do they even have that chance in this life, considering some of the requirements that some would impose for that to take place? are they without hope because of their uncontrollable life circumstances? Seems to me that if the study of the bible is God’s only means of communicating the word to bring us to salvation & maturity; then He is missing a lot of folks out there. I personally believe that God has many ways to communicate with people. I don’t think God is bound between two leather covers or limited to paper and ink. God is a little bigger than that. We also know that when the bible itself speaks of "the word" many times is not talking about written words but "a person" - The Lord Jesus Christ! (John 1:1,14) Also many times "the word" is referring to a spoken word in the now or a present thought. I honestly do not know how God is dealing with this; but I know he is being fair, loving, and merciful. And with that conclusion I would say he is not ruling them out of the overcoming mature company because of circumstances beyond their control; knowing that God looks more at your heart than in your head. It is sad to say but there are some educated idiots out there teaching the bible too. (They can't help it they are blind and cannot see, I speak from experience) And there are some very uneducated people who have hearts of gold and faith to move mountains. I think this may be what Jesus was getting at when He said “many of the first would be last and the last first,” and “you must become as little children.” Don’t get me wrong I am not putting anybody under or over anybody, and I think there is a strong need for the study and teaching of the word; otherwise why would God appoint teachers? (1Cor. 12:28). I think that we need to play the hand we are dealt and not mess with anyone else’s cards. Also I think there are going to be some big surprises on the other side. Aint that just like God! Well that’s my take on it for now; I do not know yet what God may reveal at the next level. I will leave you with a few pertinent scriptures on the subject as I see it.

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NJB)
2 You yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, that everyone can read and understand; and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ, entrusted to our care, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on the tablets of human hearts.

2 John 12 (NJB)
12 There are several things I have to tell you, but I have thought it best not to trust them to paper and ink. I hope instead to visit you and talk to you in person, so that our joy may be complete

3 John 13 (NJB)
13 There were several things I had to tell you but I would rather not trust them to pen and ink.

2 Corinthians 3:6 (NJB)
6 He has given us the competence to be ministers of a new covenant, a covenant which is not of written letters, but of the Spirit; for the written letters kill, but the Spirit gives life.


John 5:39-40 (The Message)
39–40 “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.

Matthew 15:8 (NKJV)

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.

Galatians 3:9-13 (The Message)
9–10 So those now who live by faith are blessed along with Abraham, who lived by faith—this is no new doctrine! And that means that anyone who tries to live by his own effort, independent of God, is doomed to failure. Scripture backs this up: “Utterly cursed is every person who fails to carry out every detail written in the Book of the law.”
11–12 The obvious impossibility of carrying out such a moral program should make it plain that no one can sustain a relationship with God that way. The person who lives in right relationship with God does it by embracing what God arranges for him. Doing things for God is the opposite of entering into what God does for you. Habakkuk had it right: “The person who believes God, is set right by God—and that’s the real life.” Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping, a fact observed in Scripture: “The one who does these things [rule-keeping] continues to live by them.”
13–14 Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
7 ….The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”


Jeremiah 17:10 (The Living Bible)
10 Only the Lord knows! He searches all hearts and examines deepest motives


2 Timothy 2:15-16 (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

Romans 2:14-16 (GDNT)
14 The Gentiles do not have the Law; but whenever they do by instinct what the Law commands, they are their own law, even though they do not have the Law. 15 Their conduct shows that what the Law commands is written in their hearts. Their consciences also show that this is true, since their thoughts sometimes accuse them and sometimes defend them. 16 And so, according to the Good News I preach, this is how it will be on that Day when God through Jesus Christ will judge the secret thoughts of all.
Rev. Dennis D. Caldwell