THE BIBLE – DOES IT REALLY MATTER?

 

THE BIBLE – DOES (your version) REALLY MATTER?

 

 

 

Why is your bible so thin? (We don’t need all those pages now-a-days. Things have changed. So, we discarded a few things).

Why is your bible missing pages, chapters and verses? (They were old fashioned and outdated and we didn’t need that out-of-date stuff).

Why is your bible so contorted? (I don’t know what you are talking about).

Why is your bible so thick? (It needed some revisions and additions to meet current standards, so we added a few things).

Today, there are over 450 known versions of the Bible translated into over 700 languages, and by some credible accounts, there have been between 5 and 7 billion Bible sold, alone. And there is just no way to estimate the books written about the Bible, Jesus, God, etc.

According to Bible Gateway, an online Bible and commentary resource, “Whether you’re browsing the Bible section at your local bookstore or comparing Bible Gateway’s own library (which features dozens of English translations, let alone the huge variety of other languages), you might feel overwhelmed by the alphabet soup of abbreviations in front of you.

You’re not alone — Bible decision fatigue is real. In fact, it’s not uncommon for shoppers to leave stores empty handed rather than risk buying the “wrong” Bible version.

Here’s the good news: with very few exceptions, there is no “wrong” version of the Good News. But depending on what you’re looking for, there are better or worse places for you to start.

This guide will help you sort through the major Bible versions available today and make a choice that suits your personal circumstances. You’ll also learn a bit about the different translation types, or philosophies, and a crash course in their histories. When you’re done, you’ll have no trouble telling your NIV from your ESV, your NRSVUE from your NABRE, and your KJV from your NKJV”.

That is quite a way from the Words of Jesus contained in about six chapters of the book of Matthew from the New Testament of the Bible.

Bible Gateway says, “with very few exceptions, there is no “wrong” version of the Good News” (i.e., of the Bible). To which I say, there is no “wrong” version of the Bible unless you just don’t really care or understand the REAL purpose of the Bible. Then, yeah, what’s the diff?

But, if you understood that the Bible is actually the Word of God – His Breathed Out Word – a verbal inspiration meaning that the Bible’s human authors were guided by God in such a way that every word they wrote is considered to be inspired and authoritative. (This doctrine asserts that God influenced the writers’ thoughts and words, ensuring that the Scriptures convey His intended message without error).

God’s Word has been written down for you to read and to consume mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, then it matters. (see John 6:53–58, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.”

The reason various nations have banned the Bible over the centuries is because of the potential of what it does in the heart, mind and life of the one who reads it and believes it:

“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [John 8:31-32 English Standard Version].

“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” [Romans 8:2 English Standard Version].

It will set you free from oppression of the devil; free in your soul – in your mind, will and emotions; free in your physical body – from unwarranted sickness, disease and infirmities; free from evil influences, free from fears, free from poverty, free from hatreds, free from chaos; free to love and to be loved, free to experience and to give joy, peace, kindness, goodness, patience, self-control; free to find you place in life and to live it too it full potential; free to find likeminded, generous people and to live freely among them.

This what is known as “being saved” or being “born again”.

SAVED (from the Greek word, “Sozo) :  To be made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole (complete with purpose), NOW and for all of eternity,

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your body. In your mind. In your soul and spirit.

Made safe, to be made healthy, to be made whole In your home. With your family, your children, your spouse and relatives. In your work. With your friends. In every aspect of your life.

(This is not a magic formula or a spell. It is the Word of God through your faithful, submissive obedience in following Jesus.

This is the Good News and the reason God sent us His Son. Jesus.

This is the Good News that Jesus proclaims to the world, then and now.

As strange as it may seem, the One who spoke these prophetic words, possesses the power which is able to transform your life, so radically, so completely, so thoroughly, that those who knew you beforehand, would hardly recognize you afterwards.  In fact, if and when you embrace and absorbed His Words into your heart, mind and soul as His devoted follower you would hardly be able to recognize yourself when the process is complete.

You might even have to ask yourself, “Can I really be that man or that woman who went about under my name before?”

You are, in one sense the same person, but in another sense, you will have become someone utterly different. Made new. Reborn. A new creation.

Please understand that this does not negate the trials, tribulations and troubles we will face in this life. They are part of our being sanctified and prepared for an eternity with God. Nonetheless, this intensely real power to which I am referring, can pick you up today – right now – from the midst of loneliness, failure, ruin, misery, despair or any difficulty, and in the twinkling of an eye, as Paul said, IN THE MIDST OF THE PROBLEMS YOU FACE IN LIFE, He can begin to solve those problems, smooth out the difficulties, cut you free from entanglements and place you clear, safe and happy upon the highroad of freedom and opportunity – IF YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HIS PLAN AND PRUPOSES, AND ARE WILLING AND ABLE TO ENDURE THIS PROCESS.

Does this mean your will always be physically well or mentally strong or rich by the worlds standards or famous? No. No. A thousand times no.
But it does mean that you can find purpose and meaning and usefulness in even the worst of life’s circumstances.

He can free you to go and shape your life as God would have it – a life full with purpose and of promises met.

He can throw open the MANY prison doors that hold you captive, and liberate you.

He is the healing balm for the bruised and broken heart.

He can inspire you with new thoughts and ideas, so that your life’s work may be truly original, meaningful and lasting.

He can impart new and wonderful kinds of knowledge, as soon as you really want such knowledge – glorious knowledge – strange things not taught in schools or written in ordinary books.

He can find your true place in life, and put you into it, too.

He can find the right friends for you, kindred spirits who are interested in the same ideas and want the same things that you do.

He can provide you the type of  prosperity that means freedom.  Not as the world knows prosperity.  But the type of prosperity that means true Freedom.  Free to be and to do and to go as God has called you to be and to do.

This Power of God can teach you all things you need to know, if only you are receptive and teachable.

So, if your life is lacking the continuous flow of the fruit of the Spirit, the love, the joy, the peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Now, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If your life is missing out on the works that Jesus did, and even greater works of teaching and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom which can heal all kinds of sickness and diseases, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are living in loneliness, fear, doubt lack and want, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent, for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

If you are and your behaviors are “friendly” with the world but at odds with the Words and Teachings of Jesus, Jesus says today is the day of your salvation – repent for the kingdom of heaven is now at hand.

You know, from the day we are born until the day we die, the 23^rd Psalm tells us that we will walk through the valley of the shadow of death in this lifetime. And that God has set at table  before us in the presence of your enemies, and that He has anointed our heads with His Oil and that our cup overflows. And His goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives. And our dwelling place will be in the house of the Lord, forever.

The day of our salvation is now at hand. You can experience the richness of being saved. You can feast at the table He has set before you, even in the presence of your enemies of lack, want, sickness, poverty disease, loneliness and the like. You no longer need to miss the mark or to be left out of the things He has prepared for your life to Bless you and to prosper your soul.

You are made safe, and rescued from eternal harm. You will have found a rich and fulfilling purpose in and for your life, now. You can be made secure in all your relationships and in all the matters of your life. You can be assured of an eternal life with Him. THIS IS THE TABLE HE HAS SET BEFORE YOU.

As Jesus has said, “You must first repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is now at hand”.

And this is why it matters that you do not change or modify what the most accurate versions of the Bible; those versions which adhere most closely to the meaning and context of the original transcripts of the Bible. (Such as the New American Standard version, the English Standard Version, King James and the New King James versions).

God’s Word was spoken and is written in a way (assuming it is unaltered and unadulterated) that it simply, magnificently and mysteriously transforms us by the renewing of our mind so we may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, acceptable and perfect. (see Romans 2:12).

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the Law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may achieve success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will achieve success.” (Joshua 1:7-8, New American Standard Bible).