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NASB | 2 Timothy 3:15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Timothy 3:15 and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings (Hebrew Scriptures) which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus [surrendering your entire self to Him and having absolute confidence in His wisdom, power and goodness]. |
Bible Question:
MJH, Thank you for your answer. Concerning the two assumptions you mentioned I don't know how much different my state could be. 1)I tend to rely very much on my cognitive acceptance of the truth exposed in the Bible and could not judge completely if my faith is lacking something more. Jesus is the reason of my hope because of His righteousness and holiness which I believe I am a partaker of and appreciate their value. To experience His love, mercy and compassion is a surprise to me and I am thankful for that. But I wrote my question because of my cognitive accent, as you say. I have been very concerned about how much evidence is necessary to guarantee that everybody has a just and fair chance to be saved. 2)Jesus mentioned hell more than everybody else so I think it is necessary to consider this reality as demonstrated by the following verse: Matthew 10:28 28 "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. wry |
Bible Answer: Sorry for the late reply. 1) Many Christians assume that a mere intellectual accent to the facts of the faith is what “saves” a person from their sins and lead to salvation. Obviously one must have the intellectual accent to the facts of the faith, but that is not the extent of what the Biblical writers speak of. a) Jam 2:19 “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe--and shudder!” - This section of James letter is his attempt to help Greek thinking Jews among the nations understand a Hebrew concept. Greeks (as can be seen at Athens with Paul) prided themselves on hearing the latest thoughts, and it was common for one to distinguish between what they believed, and what they did. Just listen to some politicians even today, "My being a Catholic will have nothing to do with how I lead as a Senator." This is said as if it's the ideal, as if there can be a separation. - When James was following Jesus this argument would have sounded absurd to him (even though he later is the one who makes it), not because he would have disagreed, but that the argument would need to be made. 2) The first abridged answer to the previous question leads into the second. Is salvation a rescue from hell? Did Jesus or his followers see it that way? - They may have seen it that way as a distant thought, but it most definitely was not the driving force for what moved them nor should it be the driving force for what moves us. This may sound almost heretical, but scripture speaks for itself on this matter so much I’d have to quote nearly half the Bible to site all the examples. We are called to LIVE a certain kind of LIFE. The focus is on how we live our lives hear and now. Are we bringing more of God’s way into the world we live starting with ourselves or are we doing the opposite. Are we helping the orphans and widows? How many times does scripture speak of this? Even the parable about the sheep and goats is about how we live, not simply what we believe. - I am quite disappointed in the continued emphases on what happens when we DIE as if death is what it’s about. As if Jesus LIVED his LIFE to show us how to LIVE ours was only so we would be assured about our DEATH. (Caps are for emphases, not shouting.) I’m sure I’ve raised several red flags amongst the readers, so let me state emphatically…We are saved by faith in Jesus alone for salvation both now and in the world to come. It is not of our own doing, nor by works, but by grace alone. But show me your faith in the One True God, and then show me your life that is like the Accuser and I say you are in grave danger. But show me your life and how it reflects the character, love and mercy of the One True God yet your doctrine is messed up in lots of places, and I believe you are sitting in a good place…and should study and fix your doctrine, but I don’t believe there is a theology test at the pearly gates. MJH |