If you are going to build a sound structure, you better establish a standard unit of measure and a benchmark for that standard. Otherwise, what you build will not be sound (the corners won’t be square, the floors won’t be level, the pieces and parts you order/manufacture will not fit, etc.). The same is true for building our lives on the Word of God – we must have a benchmarked standard. Otherwise we will build our lives on false teachings and incorrect information about God, His requirements, His standards, His plans, His Church, etc.
But how do you know which version(s) of the Bible can be trusted as your standard? How do you know what to believe? There are many resources available to help you understand more about the history of the Holy Bible and the difference between many of the currently available translations. There are many different denominations and cults that call themselves Christian who are trying to convince you that their teachings are the truth. To avoid the confusion associated with contradictory personal opinions, information that has not been derived in a scholarly manner, blasphemous teaching, sifting through the overabundance of information available about these topics, etc., here are a few suggestions to consider in finding and adhering to the standards of absolute truth.
Trust translations that stick to the original words and meanings as given by our Sovereign Lord:
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- For your primary study, research and scripture memorization, stick with a word-for-word translation (an attempt to translate each word of scripture based on an understanding of our current language and the language at the time the scripture was written) or a balanced translation (an attempt to combine a word-for-word approach with a thought-for-thought approach of scripture translation).
Trust that our Sovereign Lord has given us trustworthy Bible translations:
- 2 Peter 1:19-21 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
- Father God breathed out His Word for us. He used His Holy Spirit to guide the people who wrote the original manuscripts. He wants us to know Him, not some distorted/tainted version created by man. He has equipped us to serve and honor Him by giving us the truth about Himself and about us.
Trust that our Sovereign Lord has directed the compilation of writings that make up the Holy Bible:
- Exodus 34:27-28 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.
- Many people, for many different reasons, have written many things about Father God. However, only those scriptures inspired by God and superintended by the Holy Spirit accurately capture the absolute truth about God, man, sin, eternity, etc. God used the Nation of Israel to compile the inspired writings that represent the law, history, poetry, and prophesies from the time of creation until about 400 years before He came to earth as the man Jesus Christ. Then He used the church of Jesus Christ to compile the gospels, early church history, letters and prophesies that teach us the truth about the Messiah (Jesus Christ), the formation of the early church, teachings for the church, and prophesies about His church.
Trust that some truths about our Sovereign Lord are beyond our complete understanding:
- Isaiah 55:8-9 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.
- Romans 11:33-34 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?”
- 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
- Make no mistake, God has given us what we need to understand the fundamental aspects of His nature and His truth. He has given us His Word and He has given us His Spirit to help us understand it (it is arrogant to presume you can understand the true meaning and application of scripture without the Holy Spirit of God teaching you). Yet, He is eternal and infinite, we can’t fully understand everything He has revealed of Himself.
Trust that our Sovereign Lord’s character and standards don’t change.
- Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob.
- Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
- God’s character does not change. His truth does not change. His moral standards do not change. His dealings with us are based on our faith in Him and love for Him. Praise Him that in and through Jesus Christ, He deals with us according to grace, not according to law.
Trust that our Sovereign Lord created His Church as the means by which people learn about Him, serve Him and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.
- Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
- Ephesians 4:11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
- The Universal Church of Jesus Christ is made up of those who have surrendered all that they are to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and have been indwelled with God’s Holy Spirit. God created His church for corporate worship, teaching, fellowship, serving, etc. His desire is for all His children to be an active part of His church. If you truly don’t have access to a Bible believing church, seek Him in His Word and live your life in a way that honors Him and His Word. Pray that He makes fellowship with other believers possible for you. His true church follows His true Word – the Bible.
The Lord Himself is our benchmark – perfect, unchanging, loving, gracious, merciful, kind, benevolent, just, trustworthy, etc. We can’t pick and chose what we want to believe. We can’t change or disregard things just because we don’t like or fully understand something about Him or His Word. Otherwise, the life we build on faith in Him, in service to Him, and for His glory will not be sound.
Trust in the Truth of His Word!
All of His Word!
Prayer
Loving Father, I ask You to draw those who don’t know You to salvation in Jesus Christ. I ask You to save the lost and set free the captives of lies and half-truths. These are things that only You can do. Please help those struggling with these issues to find truth, peace, and direction in Your Holy Word. Help us all to build on the standard of Your Word. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.
