As an author, words amaze me. I love the way some writers can put them together and create a story that gets your heart racing or make you tear up for a character. But change one word, and you can affect the way a reader feels. A man might be walking from a burning house or racing from it. Feel the difference?
I realized this the other night when we had a speaker come to our Bible Study. Cheryl B. Lemine talked about John 14:6 where Jesus states, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” She pointed out that Jesus didn’t say He is a way, a truth, or a life. He used the word the meaning the only way, not one way.
Too often we take God’s words and change it to suit our lifestyles. Imagine how John 3:16 would sound if one word was changed. For God so liked the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Does it have the same meaning to you without the word love?
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It is fashionable in some academic circles to exercise scholarly criticism of the Bible. In so doing, scholars place themselves above the Bible and seek to correct it. If indeed the Bible is the Word of God, nothing could be more arrogant. It is God who corrects us; we don’t correct Him. We do not stand over God but under Him. – R.C. Sproul, author and pastor
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We need to watch how we share God’s word and make sure we recite them the same as in the Bible. And we need to live our lives in the way God wants us to. Nowhere does it say fornication is okay just because it’s the 21st Century, yet 80% of Christians live as though it does. And lying and stealing is wrong according to the ten commandments, yet some Christians think it’s okay to lie on their taxes just to save a few dollars.
If you want to live a truly Christian life, you must read the Bible and learn God’s word, not what others claim to be God’s word. Use them exactly to share with others. By changing one word, you can change the meaning of a verse. And no true Christian would want to do that.
If you or someone you know is in need of prayer, please let me know. I’ll be happy to pray for the situation.
Check out Cheryl B. Lemine’s Etsy shop at https://www.etsy.com/shop/HopeFilledArtGifts?ref=l2-shopheader-name. There you’ll find great cards like the one above to encourage and help you stay in the Spirit.
Thank you, Kathryn, for your reminder that it is God’s word that is powerful and truly life changing not our interpretation of it. God always tells us to remember this or that in scripture and I think it’s because he knows how much we have on our minds.
I’m glad Jesus pays attention to specifics like THE way, THE truth, THE life. He’s really trying to get us to live the most in life and not waste time with philosophies that just serve as distractions.
Thank you for your encouragement and mentioning my work.
What wonderful words. Thanks for sharing.