Bible Question: so many different,which ones used mostly |
Bible Answer: Many versions...one truth. Different versions of the bible are a positive thing. In the denomination I belong to twenty years ago the KJV was dominant. Today the NIV is dominant. My personal preference is KJV. However this year I have been reading thru the bible using NIV. And I have been blessed. Job 6:10 (NIV) Then I would still have this consolation-- MY JOY IN UNRELENTING PAIN-- that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. Psalm 94:19 (NIV) When anxiety was great...within me...your consolation brought joy...to my soul. Jeremiah 5:22 (NIV) Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD. "Should you not tremble in my presence? I made the sand a boundary for the sea, an everlasting barrier it cannot cross. The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail; they may roar, but they cannot cross it. (There is a limit to what satan can do) Different versions...different perspectives...one truth. Think of the gospels. Four versions of the life of Jesus written from different perspectives. Same life just different perspectives. Over the years the most popular versions may/will change. The Truth will not. With the ease of an online concordance I often look at different versions of a scripture/section of scriptures to get an idea of what is being presented. An example of that is a study I did on Colossians 2...focusing on verses 8 and 18. For this particular study I used the NKJV. The key word in these verses was CHEAT. Other words used in different versions were captive, lead astray,spoil, disqualify, defraud,condemn, and beguile. I think it is great that we have the ability to view scripture from different versions (perspectives). The Cheat Test Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) Beware lest anyone CHEAT you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. Colossians 2:18 (NKJV) Let no one CHEAT you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. A cheater does not play by the rules... A cheater misrepresents truth... A cheater promises much, gives little... A cheater wants what you have... A cheater will ''become'' whatever is necessary to accomplish his goal... Last year someone gave you a brand new car. You loved the gift and the giver. A stranger asks about your car. You tell how wonderful the car is and about the one who gave it to you. The stranger begins to tell you about all the things wrong with you car. Bad gas mileage...expensive upkeep...insurance premiums... He offers a solution to your being stuck with your car...he will take it off your hands. You refuse the offer. The stranger then offers to trade. He shows you a picture of a brand new car. It is better than the one you have. The stranger even offers to pay all expenses for the car you get. You consider the offer. In Christ we have all the treasures, all the fullness, and are complete in Him (Colossians 2:4, 9-10 NKJV). We should be living rich, full, complete lives as christians. Satan comes along and starts pointing out the "flaws". Amazingly so many listen. Instead of rejoicing thru the difficulties and problems of life they focus on what is wrong. If we cannot be cheated out of our joy by this method then satan offers something better. We see the picture....the "perfect christian life"....and then we look at what we have. Instead of enjoying who we are in Christ we are constantly focusing on our imperfections. Either way we are being cheated out of the life GOD intends. Satan knows the truth and works to keep us away from it. A simple test....what do you see clearly? Where is your focus? Are you being cheated? FOCUS...For Our Clear Understanding...Scripture ...peace... |