THE BIBLE DILEMNA. WHICH ONE IS RIGHT?

GOD’S WORD IS SPIRIT; NOT HUMAN TRANSLATIONS, VERSIONS, AND LANGUAGES.

“…THE WORDS THAT I SPEAK unto you, they ARE SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV) “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).

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Translations and versions of the BIBLE serve the purposes of providing a VOICE, OUTLET, or CONDUIT for God’s WORD. The BIBLE has been recorded in different languages and offers people a clearer revelation of who God is throughout the WORLD.

When the WORD comes through earthen vessels it ALWAYS spoke in the language of the people that God sent his MESSAGES to.

There is an ongoing debate over the proper, or the better, or the more authentic, or the best translation or version of the bible.

The importance of the BIBLE is “NOT” the human debate over the better or most authentic, human translation or version.

The most important purpose of the BIBLE is God’s MESSAGE and sustaining his WORDS in the SPIRIT(HOLY) in which they were given. “…God is Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). God says: “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “… “I AM” WHO I AM…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  

 It is the HOLY SPIRIT that gives LIFE. It is the SPIRIT of his WORD that has the POWER to SAVE. It is the SPIRIT of the WORD that transforms the human life and the human mind.

No matter how great human translators are or how careful they try to keep the authenticity of the biblical text, without God, it would be impossible!  “….Apart from Me, you can do nothing…” (John 15:5 NIV).  “…our great power is from God…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).

 “…NOT that [you]… are ADEQUATE IN [YOURSELVES]… to consider anything as coming from [yourselves]… but [YOUR]… ADEQUACY IS FROM GOD…” (2 Corinthians 3:5 NASB). “…Human effort [alone]… accomplishes nothing.” (John 6:63 NLT). “…the flesh profiteth NOTHING…” (John 6:63 KJV “….THE WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT,…” (John 6:63 KJV).

 “…it is… GOD WHO “DOES” THE WORK IN AND THROUGH all of us who are his. The Holy Spirit “displays” God’s power THROUGH each of us…” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).

It is God, the HOLY SPIRIT, ALONE that SUSTAINS the ANOINTING POWER of his HOLY WORD through the various translations and version of the bible! “…our great power is from God…” (2 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT).

It is NOT too hard for God, the HOLY SPIRIT, to SUSTAIN the anointing POWER of his WORD; nor is it IMPOSSIBLE! “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men … [are]… POSSIBLE [with God] …” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV). “…In him ALL THINGS …hold together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV).

The MIRACLE in having multiple translations and versions of the BIBLE is NOT in the human effort to sustain the best translation or version. “…In him ALL THINGS …hold together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV).

The MIRACLE of having multiple translations and versions of the BIBLE is God’s ANOINTING POWER to continue to SPEAK, in spite of human flaws and weaknesses and SUSTAIN his POWER to SAVE and TRANSFORM lives “…The things which are impossible with men … [are]… POSSIBLE [with God] …” (Luke 18:27 KJV).

The SOVEREIGN God manages to SPEAK his WORD through these translations, versions, and languages with enough SUSTAINING POWER to SAVE and TRANSFORM. “…he doeth the works…” (John 14:10 KJV

If you DEPENDED upon a WORD from God to SAVE you and if you depended upon a WORD from God that also filled you with the INDWELLING Holy SPIRIT; God has PROVED the SUSTAINING POWER of his WORD. Therefore, NOTHING is “too hard” for God’s POWER. “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV).

Thus, you can DEPEND UPON the indwelling Holy Spirit to LEAD and GUIDE you into the truth! “… The Spirit of truth (the WORD) …will guide you into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [GOD GUIDES HIS PEOPLE] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

Nonetheless, there are multiple translations and versions that create conflict and division among God’s people, but God is a God of order NOT confusion. “…God is not a God of disorder but of peace…” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NIV). “…Let all things be done decently and in order….” (1 Corinthians 14:40 KJV).

God WANTS mankind to KNOW him. God WANTS to, particularly, REVEAL himself to his people. Remember, the WORD drew you to God through love and kindness. “… I … WILL DRAW all men unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV). “…I have drawn you with unfailing kindness…” (Jeremiah 3:13 NIV). “… I … [love] you with an everlasting love …I …[draw]… you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB).

The controversy and issues over translations and versions is a human problem that has caused division in God’s churches for years and years. “… [Everyone] … who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).  . “……There is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV). “…God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM.  In every nation HE ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right…” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him… (Acts 10:34-36 KJV).

Search, investigate, inquire, study, and depend upon the indwelling Holy Spirit to help you discover a translation or version that SPEAKS to YOU. “… The Spirit of truth (the indwelling Holy Spirit) …will guide you into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

One of the translations or versions WILL SPEAK to your indwelling SPIRIT. God WORKS providentially to SUSTAIN and HOLD together HIS SALVATION and TRANSFORMING message. “…In him ALL THINGS …hold together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV). “… [God is]…sustaining ALL THINGS… by his powerful word…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV).

The BIBLE, therefore, that is RIGHT for you will DRAW you CLOSER to God and you will BECOME loving like God (1 Corinthians 13). “…Every one that loveth (others and themselves) is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not (others or themselves) knoweth not God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

BECOMING loving is a SIGN (the fruit of the SPIRIT is LOVE) that YOU ARE getting to KNOW GOD. “…The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV).  

Godly LOVE is a SIGN you ARE BECOMING A true disciple that is GROWING and DEVELOPING in God’s GRACE and KNOWLEDGE (with inherent SPIRIT and POWER). “…A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another…” (John 13:34-35 KJV). “…Beloved, let us love one another (including yourself): for love is of God; and every one that loveth (others and themselves) is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not (others or themselves) knoweth not God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).

“….THE WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT, and they are life…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…MY WORD …shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

DESPITE the many translations or versions of the bible God’s true WORD is “STILL” and always will be…SPIRIT!! “….THE WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV).  “… The Spirit of truth …will guide you into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…Thy WORD is truth…” (JOHN 17:17 KJV).

You can be CONFIDENT that GOD’S WORD is TRUTH and it WILL accomplish its PURPOSES; such as SAVING and TRANSFORMING! “…MY WORD …shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

God PROMISES you that if you SEEK him you will FIND HIM and find his directions for your life. “…ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart…” (Jeremiah 29:13 KJV). “…If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me…” (Jeremiah 29:13 NLT). “…I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV).

“Trust in (depend upon) the Lord with all thine heart; and LEAN NOT unto thine own understanding…” (Proverbs 3:5-6 KJV). “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into [the human]… heart … the things which God hath prepared for [those who depend upon his guidance]....” (1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV). Some of “…his ways [of guiding, his people, are]… past finding out…” (Romans 11:33-34 KJV).

He will lead and guide you into ALL TRUTH and the right translation and version of the BIBLE. TRUST and DEPEND upon God. the INDWELLING SPIRIT. “… The Spirit of truth (the indwelling Spirit) …will guide you into all the truth. …” (John 16:13 NIV). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord … [GOD GUIDES HIS PEOPLE] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB). “…All things  (revelation and knowledge of God) came into being through [THE WORD], and apart from [the word] nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

Remember THE WORD of God is not just the WRITTEN word, but ALSO the LIVING WORD which is INSIDE you. (through the indwelling Holy SPIRIT). “…It is God (the indwelling spirit) who works in you…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, … work[s] in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ (the word)…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…I can do all things through Christ (the word) which strengtheneth me…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).

Thus, the INDWELLING Holy Spirit is there to guide you. “…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.…” (Psalms 32:8 KJV). “…God is [the HOLY] Spirit …” (John 4:24 KJV). “…the [HOLY] … Spirit of God dwell in you…” (Romans 8:9 KJV).Therefore, “… the Lord your God, …teaches you what is best for you, [and]…directs you in the way you should go.” (Isaiah 48:17).  “I will instruct you and guide you in the way you should go; I will fix My eyes upon You…” (Psalm 32:8)

“…I have shown you how you should find the way in which you should walk…” (Isaiah 48:17). “…So I say, let the [indwelling] Holy Spirit guide your lives. … …” (Galatians 5 NLT).

There will ALWAYS be multiple translations, versions, different languages, diverse opinions, and endless interpretations of the bible, but there will ALWAYS and ONLY be “ONE” God and HOLY SPIRIT. “…There is ONE … God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all….” (Ephesians 4:4-5 KJV). “… There is but one God…” (1 Corinthians 8:6 KJV). “….The LORD is our GOD, the LORD is ONE…” (Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV). “…There is no God, but ONE…” (1 Corinthians 8:4 KJV).

Most of God’s people PREFER to be DIVIDED by their DIFFERENCES instead of being UNITED by WHAT and WHO matters MOST: Jesus, the WORD.

DIVISION is about the FLESH and UNITY is about the HOLY SPIRIT.

DIVISION, for one reason or another, is the reason there are so many different churches

UNITY, of God’s SPIRIT, bonds by love, connects through the HOLY SPIRIT, and shares purpose through Jesus Christ. “…Love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He that is JOINED unto the Lord is ONE Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).

It is important, but NOT as important to agree on translations and versions as much as it is to agree on LOVE and UNITY. “…LOVE one another, even as I have loved you…” (John 13:34-35 KJV). "…In everything, therefore, TREAT people the same way you want them to TREAT you, for this is the Law and the Prophets…” (Matthew 7:12 NASB).

TRANSLATIONS VERSIONS, LANGUAGES, INTERPRETATIONS, CULTURES, and INTELLECTUALISM have become CHASMS and BARRIERS between God’s OWN people.

God’s OWN people FAIL to remember there was ONCE an impenetrable CHASM and BARRIER between themselves (sinful mankind) and GOD (Holy Spirit). Yet God’s LOVE made a WAY to REMOVE the DIVISION instead of sustaining it. “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). . “…Your INIQUITIES (sin) have separated between you and your God (holy) …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God (who is HOLY)…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT). “…between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB

“…what fellowship  (COMMON GROUND) hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion  (COMMON GROUND) hath light with darkness? And what concord (COMMON GROUND) hath Christ with Belial? Or what part (COMMON GROUND) hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV).

 “…God is not human …” (Numbers 23:19 NIV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…. [Yet], YOU THOUGHt i, (God, the HOLY SPIRIT) was EXACTLY like you….” (Psalms 50:21 NIV). “…between us (the spiritual world and you (the natural world) a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).

God DID NOT allow the DIVISION to continue on and on. he SENT his Son!! “…[God]…sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).  God …sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…He gave his only begotten Son,…” (John 3:16 KJV).

 “…For Christ … died for sins ONCE for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us [home again] to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

GOD PREFERS UNITY THROUGH THE BOND OF LOVE. . “…the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). In  “… His love and in His mercy He redeemed them…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “… I have loved you with an everlasting love…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Indeed, He loves the people…” (Deuteronomy 33:3 NASB).

“… I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT). “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT).

.“…Great is his love … and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…[GOD] remembered his covenant with them (THROUGH ABRAHAM) …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). To Abraham he said: “…I will BLESS thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a BLESSING: And I will BLESS them that BLESS thee …in thee shall all families of the earth be BLESSED…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

“…Love … is the perfect BOND of unity...” (Colossians 3:14 NASB). “…He that is JOINED unto the Lord is ONE Spirit…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…Let no one split apart what God has joined together…” (Mark 10:9 NLT).  

 “…In this world we are LIKE JESUS…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “…There is no greater…love than to lay down one’s life (lay down the part of your life that divides you from loving others)…” (John 15:13 NLT).

God suffered and died to bring people together. “……There is NEITHER Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” (Galatians 3:26-28 KJV). “…God SHOWS NO FAVORITISM.  In every nation HE ACCEPTS those who fear him and do what is right—…there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all…” (Acts 10:34-36 NLT). “…God is no RESPECTER OF PERSONS: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent … preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)…” (Acts 10:34-36 KJV).

“…So now you … are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself…” (Ephesians 2:19-20 NLT).

“… [Everyone] … who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [They]…are [ALL]… part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because THEY BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS…” (Ephesians 3:6 NLT).  “…Those who belong to Christ Jesus …” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…Because YOU BELONG to him...” (Romans 8:1 NLT). “ … (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) …” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…He that is joined unto the Lord is ONE SPIRIT (BELONG)…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…We are his; we are “HIS” PEOPLE...” (Psalms 100:3 KJV). “…You belong to Christ…” (1 Corinthians 3:23 NASB). “…you belong to God, my dear children…” (1 John 4:2-7 NIV).

The WRITTEN Word of God was FIRST translated into Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. The King James Version and other translations and versions came later.

However, regardless of the human strengths or weaknesses of those translations and versions, the DIVINE VOICE and DIVINE WORDS of God continues to SPEAK!!!

The PURITY (HOLINESS), of any translation or version, is revealed when the HOLY SPIRIT’s POWER to DO the ANOINTING WORK of SALVATION and TRANSFORMATION is experienced.

God’s WORD is SPIRIT and it is NOT limited by human translations and versions. It is the ANOINTING of the HOLY SPIRIT that makes ANY translation or version EMPOWERED to SPEAK the SALVATION message that SAVES or the TRANSFORMATION message that TRANSFORMS.

It is WONDERFUL and PRAISEWORTHY that bible scholars make every attempt to sustain the translation or version that has made the MOST impact, but they are NOT to lose SIGHT of WHAT makes “THAT” impact.

God’s WORD is, first and foremost, SPIRIT!

“….THE WORDS that I speak unto you, they are SPIRIT…” (John 6:63 KJV). “…MY WORD …shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

SHOUT  HALLELUJAH!!!

BY HIS GRACE, GOD STILL SPEAKS!!