I've been thinking about how so many "Christian theologians" and "apologists" are rejecting the declaration of the clarity of Truth in Scripture. I came across a passage that spoke of the clarity of proclaiming the Gospel, which made me look at some other verses, too.
Post-modernism/liberalism says we can't dare to be dogmatic on anything because truth can't be really known (except when it comes to being dogmatically against the dogmatics, lol). It's from this mind-set that also says no one can make any judgements (except of course, for juding others to be judgmental).
If a truth is not bodly declared by a teacher, its because they are not convinced that it is Truth. Biblical truth is true forever and will never change because God is Truth and God doesn't change. We can stake our very lives upon it. But if someone doesn't think it really is clear or clearly true, they will never be bold about it. That's why so many teachers today won't "dogmatically" declare Scripture to be all-sufficient for all things in life and godliness. They pretend things aren't clear, that none of us can really know Truth. How convenient, because now they can behave like the world and claim no one can judge their behavior or hearts; they can slap on slogans like, "for God's glory" or "to reach the lost" and sear their conscience to their sin.
Clarity:
Col 4:2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.
Col 4:3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison--
Col 4:4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Col 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.
Col 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
"clear":
phaneroō
Thayer Definition:1) to make manifest or visible or known what has been hidden or unknown, to manifest, whether by words, or deeds, or in any other way1a) make actual and visible, realised1b) to make known by teaching1c) to become manifest, be made known1d) of a person1d1) expose to view, make manifest, to show one’s self, appear1e) to become known, to be plainly recognised, thoroughly understood1e1) who and what one is
Other verses with the same word:
Joh 1:31 I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel."
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."
Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages Rom 16:26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--
Rom 16:27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
2Co 2:14 Now1161 thanks5485 be unto God,2316 which always causeth us to triumph2358, 3842, 2248 in1722 Christ,5547 and2532 maketh manifest5319 the3588 savor3744 of his848 knowledge1108 by1223 us2257 in1722 every3956 place.5117 [KJV w/ Strong's numbers]
Eph 5:12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret.
Eph 5:13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible,
Eph 5:14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
Eph 5:15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise,
Eph 5:16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
I like the Eph. 5 passage because it states that one's deeds are made clear by the light of God exposing it as evil, and therefore we should walk wisely (not worldly), and that to NOT understand the will of God IS to be foolish. How many times do Post-modern /Emergent /liberals say we can't judge one's actions nor can we really know God's will? God condemns such foolishness.
A similar word used:
Col 1:25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,
Col 1:26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.
Col 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Col 1:28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
"made known":
gnōrizōThayer Definition:1) to make known1a) to become known, be recognised2) to know, to gain knowledge of, have thorough knowledge of2a) in earlier Greek it means “to gain a knowledge of” or “have thorough knowledge of”
More of phaneroō:
2Ti 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,
2Ti 1:9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
2Ti 1:10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
2Ti 1:11 for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher,
2Ti 1:12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
1Jn 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. 1Jn 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge.
1Jn 2:21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
***
Another similar word used:
Luk 8:17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.
G5318φανερός phaneros Thayer Definition:1) apparent, manifest, evident, known2) manifest i.e to be plainly recognised or knownPart of Speech: adjective
Rom 1:19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Rom 1:20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Rom 1:21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
1Co 11:19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.
The next two verses, again, show that we can know clearly what the works of the flesh are and who is and is not of God:
Gal 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, Gal 5:21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
1Jn 3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Can we know Truth? Is it clear? Absolutely!
1Jn 2:21 I write to you, not because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.
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