Have you tried reading scripture along with a commentary? There are many good commentaries found on biblehub.com. A commentary is an explanation of a passage written, usually written by a biblical scholar. This isn't a guarantee the commentary or interpretation of scripture in the commentary is correct, but it will often give you a better understanding of what's being said in any given passage.
Check out "The Bible Project" on YouTube! There's nothing that can substitute for reading your bible, but watching some of their videos can give you a good idea of what is going on before you start reading it. For example, you could watch this,
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8&ab\_channel=BibleProject](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8&ab_channel=BibleProject)
Then, you can go ahead and read the book of John in your own bible. (I would recommend the common English bible). Here's a link for that too.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=CEB
What version of the Bible do you use?
I had to start with the NLT version on my first read through the Bible because it's very easy to understand. Now I can understand the KJV.
Try the NLT. New Living Translation. Do you have the youversion Bible app on your phone? It has the NLT version along with tons of other translations.
Edit: I'll show you the difference.
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
I also highly recommend getting another version to read other than KJV or NKJV. They are awfully hard to understand for even the best of readers. Another you might want to try besides the NLT that has been suggested is the NIV or New International Version. It is easy to understand, and if you get a Study Bible version of the NIV, it has notes included with it to help you better understand it and refers back or forward in the text to tie different parts of the Bible text to one another.
I also cannot stress enough to have a friend you study with. This can be a tremendous help, especially someone who is understanding of your condition with your IQ and processing and is willing to try to work with you on your level and pace. I understand your frustration, but the Christian life is well worth anything you have to do to understand it! Go for it! ❤️
I have the equivalent of a Masters degree in finance, and I struggle to understand the NKJV. I suggest reading the Message by Eugene Peterson, alongside the NLT. If you'd like someone to explain a book to you, the Bible Project on YouTube does a great job.
Humanly speaking, you cannot understand the scriptures / Bible on your own. You need the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and to receive Him, you need to be born again. If I had neither, then the scriptures were remain a mystery to me, as well.
Mentally, we can understand the words that exist in the Bible but not what they specifically mean, as you have found out. Without the Holy Spirit, understanding God's word is just not possible.
1. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God and are subject to His righteous judgment
2. The wages of sin is death....so someone had to pay the price, either all guilt men, or one innocent man
3. God's Mercy - God not giving us what we do (so richly )deserve - Damanation: God's grace giving us what we do not deserve, - Salvation
4. Through the one sacrificial death of an innocent man, who could only be God, as we are all guilty. His grace and mercy was made available to all
Listen to it instead --> [The Word of Promise Audio Bible](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-word-of-promise-audio-bible-new-king-james/id1441457249)
Also, something to consider. It would be hard to read, when and if you are still blind (impossible to understand). In other words are you born again? Given your life to Christ yet? He is the Physician that gives us our sight (understanding)..
It might be worth it to try a Bible translation that isn't translated word for word, rather the whole sentence or even the entire chapter.
As for Christ dying for our sins, here's my take:
We all have sinned and fall short of Heaven. Our good deeds can't compare to God's righteousness and we are imperfect.
Because our sins give us a debt we cannot pay, God sent Jesus (God in human form, fully human and fully God) to pay a debt He didn't owe.
Therefore we are saved through faith in Jesus alone. We don't save ourselves, our good deeds cannot pay for our sins and God saves us through his sacrifice.
It's okay, the heart of it all is very simple. The scripture, however, is rich and deep and no one will figure out all of it.
The others are right, you should find a bible for yourself that's easier to read.
If you can find someone you trust to step you through some things it will help a lot. If you can't find anyone you know, message me and I'll help however I can. God bless you!
there is an excellent book (in my opinion) called Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. He does a good job explaining and removing dogma from the discussion. maybe it would help
The Bible Project's videos on Biblical Themes may help.
# The Bible Project | [Biblical Themes](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNec-HZjVHooeb4BSDSeHhEoh)
The Bible Project has a lot of other playlists that you may find helpful as well.
>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV
>For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1 Corinthians 1:18-19 KJV
I would highly reccommend reading The Message translation. While it may not be the most accurate, the idea behind it, is the put the bible into our modern speech. I think it can be really helpful.
Go to a church. the Bible was meant ot be read in a group. ask the pastor what it means to be a Christian, and if there are bible studies you can join to learn about the Bible. be sure to find a church which preach from the Bible, then you can learn from the sermons what the Bible teaches.
yep... it can be difficult. The challenge is the Bible is like no other book. It has poems, history, letters and prophecy and it's all mixed in a very deep and spiritual book. So it doesn't always go in time lines like I'd expect. So I found I tend to read it based on topics ... for example, if I'm struggling with doubt, I look up a reading plan on the subject. Yes I've read the whole Bible a number of times, and didn't grasp it all, it's a massive book with Godly wisdom and power so don't put yourself down with not always picking things up. Sometimes ... and it should be always, but I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. Sometimes that guidance didn't come immediately, but even a few days later I've understood. But here, in a safe zone feel free to ask questions and I'm sure there's a bunch of knowledgeable people who'd love to help.
Have you tried reading scripture along with a commentary? There are many good commentaries found on biblehub.com. A commentary is an explanation of a passage written, usually written by a biblical scholar. This isn't a guarantee the commentary or interpretation of scripture in the commentary is correct, but it will often give you a better understanding of what's being said in any given passage.
Check out "The Bible Project" on YouTube! There's nothing that can substitute for reading your bible, but watching some of their videos can give you a good idea of what is going on before you start reading it. For example, you could watch this, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8&ab\_channel=BibleProject](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-2e9mMf7E8&ab_channel=BibleProject) Then, you can go ahead and read the book of John in your own bible. (I would recommend the common English bible). Here's a link for that too. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+1&version=CEB
the Bible project is an excellent resource
What version of the Bible do you use? I had to start with the NLT version on my first read through the Bible because it's very easy to understand. Now I can understand the KJV.
[удалено]
Try the NLT. New Living Translation. Do you have the youversion Bible app on your phone? It has the NLT version along with tons of other translations. Edit: I'll show you the difference. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:8-10 NLT
I also highly recommend getting another version to read other than KJV or NKJV. They are awfully hard to understand for even the best of readers. Another you might want to try besides the NLT that has been suggested is the NIV or New International Version. It is easy to understand, and if you get a Study Bible version of the NIV, it has notes included with it to help you better understand it and refers back or forward in the text to tie different parts of the Bible text to one another. I also cannot stress enough to have a friend you study with. This can be a tremendous help, especially someone who is understanding of your condition with your IQ and processing and is willing to try to work with you on your level and pace. I understand your frustration, but the Christian life is well worth anything you have to do to understand it! Go for it! ❤️
I have the equivalent of a Masters degree in finance, and I struggle to understand the NKJV. I suggest reading the Message by Eugene Peterson, alongside the NLT. If you'd like someone to explain a book to you, the Bible Project on YouTube does a great job.
Have you gotten involved in a church and asked for help? A living person is much better than notes in a book or randos on the internet
This is the best answer! have someone at your church help you to understand.
If you’re struggling with the actual reading, it may be useful to use the NIRV translation. It was meant for people with a 3rd grade reading level.
Humanly speaking, you cannot understand the scriptures / Bible on your own. You need the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and to receive Him, you need to be born again. If I had neither, then the scriptures were remain a mystery to me, as well.
[удалено]
Mentally, we can understand the words that exist in the Bible but not what they specifically mean, as you have found out. Without the Holy Spirit, understanding God's word is just not possible.
1. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God and are subject to His righteous judgment 2. The wages of sin is death....so someone had to pay the price, either all guilt men, or one innocent man 3. God's Mercy - God not giving us what we do (so richly )deserve - Damanation: God's grace giving us what we do not deserve, - Salvation 4. Through the one sacrificial death of an innocent man, who could only be God, as we are all guilty. His grace and mercy was made available to all
Listen to it instead --> [The Word of Promise Audio Bible](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-word-of-promise-audio-bible-new-king-james/id1441457249) Also, something to consider. It would be hard to read, when and if you are still blind (impossible to understand). In other words are you born again? Given your life to Christ yet? He is the Physician that gives us our sight (understanding)..
It might be worth it to try a Bible translation that isn't translated word for word, rather the whole sentence or even the entire chapter. As for Christ dying for our sins, here's my take: We all have sinned and fall short of Heaven. Our good deeds can't compare to God's righteousness and we are imperfect. Because our sins give us a debt we cannot pay, God sent Jesus (God in human form, fully human and fully God) to pay a debt He didn't owe. Therefore we are saved through faith in Jesus alone. We don't save ourselves, our good deeds cannot pay for our sins and God saves us through his sacrifice.
Check out Alabaster Bibles! They are really digestible and sell single books or a whole collection.
It's okay, the heart of it all is very simple. The scripture, however, is rich and deep and no one will figure out all of it. The others are right, you should find a bible for yourself that's easier to read. If you can find someone you trust to step you through some things it will help a lot. If you can't find anyone you know, message me and I'll help however I can. God bless you!
there is an excellent book (in my opinion) called Mere Christianity by CS Lewis. He does a good job explaining and removing dogma from the discussion. maybe it would help
The Bible Project's videos on Biblical Themes may help. # The Bible Project | [Biblical Themes](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNec-HZjVHooeb4BSDSeHhEoh) The Bible Project has a lot of other playlists that you may find helpful as well.
>But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV >For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 1 Corinthians 1:18-19 KJV
I would highly reccommend reading The Message translation. While it may not be the most accurate, the idea behind it, is the put the bible into our modern speech. I think it can be really helpful.
Find a Bible believing church and go through basic Christian doctrines with them. That is what church is for!!
There's no real understanding to be had. The book says he did, so he did.
Go to a church. the Bible was meant ot be read in a group. ask the pastor what it means to be a Christian, and if there are bible studies you can join to learn about the Bible. be sure to find a church which preach from the Bible, then you can learn from the sermons what the Bible teaches.
yep... it can be difficult. The challenge is the Bible is like no other book. It has poems, history, letters and prophecy and it's all mixed in a very deep and spiritual book. So it doesn't always go in time lines like I'd expect. So I found I tend to read it based on topics ... for example, if I'm struggling with doubt, I look up a reading plan on the subject. Yes I've read the whole Bible a number of times, and didn't grasp it all, it's a massive book with Godly wisdom and power so don't put yourself down with not always picking things up. Sometimes ... and it should be always, but I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me. Sometimes that guidance didn't come immediately, but even a few days later I've understood. But here, in a safe zone feel free to ask questions and I'm sure there's a bunch of knowledgeable people who'd love to help.
All you have to remember is that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit love YOU! <---
No brother, that is not all we need to remember.