John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.

I have been hearing complaints of late from my brothers in the Lord as to a lack of understanding in their observations of bible studies. The concerns range from lack of time set aside ofr reading to incorrect interpretation of scriptures. I’ve had to bite my lip as I listen to their solutions. It all boils down to “This works for me and they should do it my way.”

OK. Enough is enough. What does the scriptures say? Before you start quoting 2 Timothy 3:16 please allow me to quote Ephesians 1:8.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

A light study is required to understand how it affects the eye of understanding. Since Jesus is the light in the world and His Word is a lamp unto my feet according to Psalm 119:105, then this light study would seem worthy of performing.

When you walk into a dark room what happens when you turn on the light? A light reflects off your environment so that you can see, yourself, your surroundings and any obstacles in your path towards your goal. After all you entered into the room with purpose, right?

So why should scriptures be considered to be anything but relevant to you and your environment?

Psalm 43:3 O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.

His light allows you to see the truth in matters, to see them for what they truly are and not what the world tells you they are. The doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction of 2 Timothy 3:16 can only be profitable if they are seen in the light of truth. This is not within man’s capability. It too is a gift from God based on relationship with His Son Jesus Christ.

The close lamp sheds brighter light.

Ephesians 5:21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Yesterday I confessed that I have trust issues. This makes it difficult for me to be a friend. I have had difficulty in doing as urged in Ephesians 5:21. It was said of me that I am a difficult person. Most people do not know why and even if they understood they would still find it difficult to deal with a brother who has trust issues.

One of the things I recognized in my walk with Christ is the need for an accountability partner. Being one who needs to trust but has no skills in trust. The demands placed on an accountability partner become just that more difficult. I see things a certain way. If he didn’t see it my way, then it fed my trust issues and just made things worse.

Gratefully a pastor set me up with just the right partner. I tested him, that’s for sure. But grace won out and his patience has been rewarded with a great brother in the Lord. Not me, him. I still have trust issues.

What helped was an eye opening conversation about being subject one to another. The Lord was there leading the conversation as always when a simple truth awoke in me. The subject of a sentence is what is being talked about. If I make him the subject of the conversation and he makes me the subject of the conversation, then we are being subject, one to another.

The first issue of trust making has to be in showing you are interested in the person in front of you. If I know that you have my best interest at heart, trust is built.

Trust is a bridge built from both sides.