The Bible Are the Words from God to Man...
If only man would believe them.
There are so many books written by man concerning the Bible, and even more concerning are the concentrated attacks to put into question it’s authenticity. The majority of those working hard to dilute the Word are coming from Christian circles, and the obvious way to go is to constantly revise the revisions over and over again. It’s like having the esteemed Encyclopedia Britannica being edited by Wikipedia!
One only has to look up the sheer number of English-based translations to realize that there are many varying interpretations through the systematic use of grammatical corrections and sentence structuring as well as purported new discoveries which do much to add further confusion. There are gender neutral versions, street talk editions, archaeological and correct in-order copies, women’s daily devotionals as well as the prayer-warrior versions and more. But I ask this question, is God a God of confusion? You would think that he is, based upon the many so-called study bibles put forth by denominational leaders, mega-church pastors, Tele-evangelists, and all are clamoring for your attention, and naturally, your money.
Are you aware that God knows full well how to keep the believer firmly established upon the word, as if I needed to bring that to your attention. The problem is ego, tickling ears, curiosity, pursuing the newest discoveries resurrected from ancient garbage pits, finding a bible to fit into your worldview such as the “Queer James Bible” or the androgynous version where God is neither male nor female, and there is even one for the transsexuals where a crucified savior has the breasts of a woman!
And to put the icing on the cake, the 2024 Olympic opening ceremony in Paris, France which produced a horrific scene comprised entirely of decadent and perverse actors mimicking the Lord’s Supper! This is the mindset of this wicked and poisonous generation of God-haters. And where do you think they pulled their godless ideas from but from the Bible.
And believers are being swept into these deadly waters because of a willingness to have an “open mind” and a “God is love” attitude. Well, I am pleased to inform you that God is not accepting sin regardless of how it is portrayed, and love has conditions that need to be met irrespective of personal beliefs and versions.
Nature shows us the beauty, the complexity and the simpleness of life and a peace of mind comes to one not burdened with wickedness and rebellion. And this is attained by reading and believing the words of God as penned in the Scriptures. The problem is which Bible is the one to use? Which one refuses to parlay with sin, to accommodate societal norms and evacuated mindsets?
There are obviously very good scholarly versions which are of excellent repute, but they remain scholarly for those desiring to delve into the cobwebs of ancient tongues to scour for hidden meanings such as the letter-number code which many believe harbors secret knowledge. And all things are revealed in Christ as the scriptures say, not in numbers as men claim.
There is nothing wrong for wanting to learn archaic languages, the problem becomes a stumbling block when they claim that this particular version sheds more light upon the originality of the scriptures, thereby supporting men’s chosen theology, confidently forgetting that the Bible is given in every language so that man can come to an understanding, and not just to an enlightened few. And yes, even in 2024, God still speaks very clearly through his Word to those who have ears to hear and hearts of understanding.
I would like to point out some of the reasons as to why we need to believe the accuracy of God’s written word, especially in these wicked times. Let me take you to proverbs and show you what it has to say.
The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.
A poor man that oppresseth the poor is like a sweeping rain which leaveth no food.
They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.
Evil men understand not judgement: but they that seek the Lord understand all things.
Not too difficult to understand, now, is it? Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding comes from knowing and believing and following the Scriptures, the Bible. And what happens when a believer refuses to do as instructed? They praise the evil works of men and do after them. And as you have just read, forsaking the Law brings the individual and nation to praising the wicked and pursuing their works.
Look among yourselves and ask from where comes all the evilness that is being done, and then look unto the Words of God and you have your answer, if you choose to believe.
And how can you believe if you are not able to understand, and the Bible that you read brings more confusion than answers? My answer, if you were to ask me is this; acquire a plain King James Version without notes, maps, and commentaries, which can be had for as little as $1.50 in many outlets. Open it to page one and begin to read. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Read it from cover to cover, and what you don’t understand or believe, mark it and continue on. In due time you will have the answer.
Tossing aside initially any Bible with the comments of man, you are able to clearly read what God is saying without the interpretations of a man, and the KJV is an excellent version, having been doing its work faithfully since 1611 by bringing many souls to the Great Shepherd which is Jesus Christ. Its history based upon the Geneva, Bishop, and Wycliffe translations. And after having thoroughly read it, read it again and again. Only by knowing the word and believing and doing as it directs will you acquire the peace of Christ which surpasses all understanding, and you will have the strength and confidence to publicly stand firm in these evil days which are already upon us and will become more wicked with increasing intensity.
Now, as to the conduct of those whose evil works are manifest, I will show you their decline into madness as described by the apostle Paul formerly known as Saul of Tarsus, a persecutor, imprisoner, and murderer of the early believers in his open letter to the believers in Rome.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shown it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful, but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections:
For even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise, also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burnt in their lust one towards another, men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convienent:
- Being filled with all unrighteousness.
- Full of envy.
- Haters of God.
- Inventors of evil things.
- Disobedient to parents.
- Without understanding.
- Covenant-breakers.
- Without natural affection.
Who knowing the judgement of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do it.
When you read this and read it carefully, taking it in steps, then you will quickly recognize the downward spiral into madness, for sin is indeed madness to ignore the warnings of the Creator. But astonishingly, millions of careless believers do just that as the immoral workings within the body spread like a lethal disease, infecting every mind that is not firmly set upon the Lord and his words. And Paul also admonished the believers in Colossia, the same way as his words were penned to them, saying,
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye were dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: for which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience, in the which ye also walked sometime, when ye lived in them. But now you also put off all these, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
Lie not to one another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds: and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
Again, we are admonished to put aside the works of our old nature and to renew ourselves in the image of Christ. All believers must struggle with sin for that we are yet in the flesh, and until the perfect comes, we will remain imperfect until that glorious receiving of our souls unto him, in which the imperfect will become born into perfection.
As Paul wrote to Timothy, he admonished him to keep the faith and to remind the faithful to keep themselves pure through the effectual working of the word through faith. Let us read those words,
It is a faithful saying: “For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he will also deny us: if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymaneus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.
Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure, having the seal, “the Lord knoweth them that are his”. And, “Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity”. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth: and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.
And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
- For men shall be lovers of their own selves.
- Disobedient to parents.
- Without natural affection.
- False accusers.
- Despisers of those that are good.
- High-minded.
- Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.
- Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof.
And even such men and women who practice evil and were once believers but fell back, even they can still be saved if only they would repent and return unto the Lord Jesus. But know for certain that this world is racing towards the Judgement Day, and these will be their works that will condemn them if they refuse the mercies of God through his Christ.
When Paul wrote to Titus, the church there was filled with unruly talkers pretending to be teachers whereof Paul instructed Titus to sharply rebuke them. And today, there are very many of this caliber who ought not to be opening their mouths and teaching fables and commandments of men. Again, let us read what was happening then and draw a comparison to what it is happening today.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, “The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” This witness is true: wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men that turn from the truth. Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled, and unbelieving is nothing pure: but even their mind and conscience is defiled. They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
In today's post-modern church, this goes without saying, it is a plague of epic proportions. There are many who call themselves pastors, teachers, evangelists, and prophets but yet speak rebellion and practice and teach iniquities to the body. Boasting of things that are contrary to sound doctrine and claiming spiritual authority to cower the faithless faithful. Indeed, these men and women are in almost every Christian organization and mainstream church.
But, as we can clearly see, the scriptures pull no punches, no compromises, no acceptance of personal views and opinions. There is only one way and that is the way that God prescribed in Jesus Christ. And how to know Jesus, the Living Word if not to read the written Word of God? And to read the written word, one has to believe what is written therein. And to find a true rendition of the scriptures today requires a heart and mind that seeks God. For not every translation has your best interest in mind.
Jesus told us that many are called but few chosen, and after reading the above scriptures, perhaps you are able to better see the way of the flesh that leads to destruction, and indeed choose the way of the cross. The way is indeed narrow, and few are those who find it. And he means us, the ones who call themselves believers. Again, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but that way leads to death. Again, he is speaking to us as believers.
We cannot be the unfaithful servant who is practicing sin which we all now know to be lawlessness, his law, for when he comes at an hour not expected, and we are living in sin, end game. We have just forfeited heaven forever.
James, the brother of the Lord Jesus, had this to say this concerning living by the word of God,
Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
And not to forget Jude, the brother of James and the Lord Jesus when he warned of the perils of falling into sin and remaining there, and of all the ungodliness which marks the evilness of our times. Let us read the words which Jude penned to the church,
Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called; mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Beloved; when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not. And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgement of the great day. Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them, in like manner giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Likewise, also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke thee”.
But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. Woe unto them, for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward and perished in the gainsaying of Core. These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds, trees whose fruit withers, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame, wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.
And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, “Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts, and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. But ye beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire: hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, now and forever. Amen
This is the reason why having an excellent Bible translation in the hand is literally a matter of life and death. As you have read, the deceptions, the cruel hearts, the careless believers, the earnest ones, the warnings are given to one and all, believers and non-believers alike, and very much is dependent upon how well and accurate the translators did their work. In choosing a Bible from among the many available, it comes down to these several things, and they are these, are you ready and willing to serve the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength? To love him above all else? To be obedient to him? To put aside your ways and to take up your cross and plowshare and follow him.
If you are practicing sin but can hear the voice of the master, then respond without delay for you know not the hour of his visitation. Repent and be restored lest he come, and you are found eating, drinking and carousing with this world’s pleasures. You shall be beaten with many stripes and cast into the outer darkness.
And if you have not as of yet believed in him than now is the time before his judgements catch you unawares. The bridge to salvation is still there should you care to use for if not then the mudflats will hold you firm until the dark waters take you away.
I remain a brother in Christ.
Edward L Ordway
All scripture quoted, present and future is from the New Cambridge Paragraph Bible, Cambridge University Press, King James Version. 2005, 2011. Edited by David Norton.