Making sense of differences among translations and versions of the Bible is the topic, today. Also, there is more on greater divine effort to reach nonbelievers. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “brad” (Level 1 with 90 points, a member since March 17, 2014) posted the following:
Confusing Bible verse?
In john 7:24 (NLT) it says: "Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
In the same verse in the King James Version it says: "Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment"
I have an NLT and it's mostly great, but what the heck is with this extremely vague passages like this one?
It makes no sense..
THE BATTLE AXE: GOD to “Try Harder”? (03/17/2014)—(5.) Nothing in all the history, or future of mankind can surpass the accomplishment of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is not that GOD must change; sinners must undergo change (called repentance) that is only accomplished through operations of GOD. The truth never changes, however, for created beings and living creatures, acceptance, discernment, obedience, and understanding of truth may change. GOD is a living entity whose makeup is entirely of spirit matter that cannot be apprehended and known by created beings and living creatures as they rely upon material and physical objects, or repetitive natural processes not having awareness that is focused and shaped to continuously acknowledge spirit substance. The active presence of GOD is revealed and shown through sacred events and operations carried out using appearances of divinity as an incarnate, sovereign agent (we say, Jesus, the Son of GOD), and a dynamic essence (we say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth). As eternal, fixed, and permanent truth, the revelation of GOD is immutable, and will not change. Saying this another way: GOD’s will, and GOD’s way are complete, established, and finished. For the earth, there are yet things proclaimed, promised, and prophesied that have not come to pass, that are now going forward in the continual process of GOD. Such events as the harvesting of believers from the earth, and the resurrection of the wicked for judgment will certainly take the nonbeliever to “new heights.” However, those elements go beyond salvation of sinners, and speak to concluding and resolving the full mystery of GOD. Salvation requires agreement and correspondence of both flesh and spirit, and only results when consciousness and self-will in the living (we say, attention, effort, and willpower) are properly directed to GOD. Consider again Isaiah 55: 6-13, Romans 10: 2-4, and Acts 16: 25-34, King James Version.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. (1st Samuel 16: 4-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Right Place to Get Knowledge (02/17/2014); Arguing Against the Bible in Church? (02/18/2014); Lower-case or Capital? (01/31/2014); Sprinkled, Immersed, Named? (02/01/2014); Why Bother to Read? (10/31/2013); GOD Speaking Through Songs? (11/01/2013); Words Spoken By GOD? (06/05/2013); Teachings on Judgment (06/06/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); A GOD of War? (03/12/2013)
“brad”, for Christian believers, who have submitted to GOD through baptism (i.e., death of their inborn spirit nature, and rebirth having divine DNA), learning from the Bible requires multiple readings, and many gradual shifts of ones understanding. In this sense, learning Scripture is a lifetime experience like getting to know a totally different language and culture.
The holy writings are themselves spirit matter, and must add to, refresh, and make visible otherwise hidden spirit matter contained within believers. The aspect directed to our intellect is “the tip of the iceberg” so to speak. For we are now vessels containing divinity.
Bible accounts, historical narratives, parables, and proverbs are not anecdotes, fictions or stories intended for amusement and entertainment. When believers use multiple translations and versions of Scripture for their studies, they must be prepared to make determinations of application, meaning, and truth-value on the basis of agreement and consistency with revealed divine operations, eternal purpose, and sacred practice.
Certainly, there is a lot more to be said, correctly applied, thoroughly examined, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, salvation for the living results by interactions of flesh and divine spirit. High things of GOD are displayed and imparted in figures, and terms that may be easily recognized among those upon the earth, no matter what climate, culture, or language group the are in. Common sense, then, is usually enough to clarify and explain many issues; and a reader need only be patient. More difficult obstacles and problems are overcome through continued fellowship with mature believers, further reflection, prayer, and continued study.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s. (2nd Corinthians 10: 7, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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