But this really got me to thinking. How well do we really know the Bible? More importantly, how well do we know the history of the Bible?
I beleive that it is important to understand the history of our Bibles as they are written in our language, but I do know that every language is vastly different and not all languages can be translated easily. If you have ever taken a foreign language class or speak a second language fluently, you know how true that this statment is. We have words in English that they do not have in Russian, French, German, Greek or even Hebrew. So if a phrase is translated from one language to another, there is a real chance that it will not be as accurate as it was in its original language. So how can we be sure of what we are reading is to be true and accurate. I suppose one way is to learn the language of the original sacrad scripts, or we who are not that veresed, must trust that the interpretation is correct.
So why make such a fuss over a phrase or one verse? Simple, we all want to be told the truth.
2 Timothy 16-17; "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Over all there seems to be some who want to use God's Word against others, to prove they are right, correct and above reproof. Jesus does warn us of this. To teach...yes, to correct...yes, but to do these things in love. Not to make another feel belittled, or wrong. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. As we are open ourselves to God, He begins that process of correction, and rebuking through LOVE.
Matthew 22: 37-38; Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.
So I ask you this, what is more important, be "spot on" word by word of what is written in the Bible that you have chosen to read and study, or to love people the way that Jesus has taught each of us to do?
What is missing from the Bible? The action behind God's Word by God's people. Let us learn to love, forgive, have grace and mercy to each person that is present in our lives.
~Peace & Blessings~
Jen