In the game of life, there are a lot of things that we learn and know from early on, breathing, walking, how to use the restroom, where to keep the milk, and so on. And while these are expected to know, there are a great number of other things that one may should know or at least should know where the information is found. What sparked the War of 1812, the entirety of the US Declaration of Independence, and the physical location of all the Buc-ee’s in the US (IYKYK).
For those last few, I will say that I do not know, yet, I am able to find the information using my resources so as to get it right. When looking at and knowing God’s Word, it is important that we know as much as we can. I have to be able to carry out that which God has planned for me and know that I am moving in the right direction and following the law of God in the process. Where is it that I find all of the answers, IN HIS WORD. Yes, where else would I find the right information and can rely on it as correct, but in His Word directly.
Now, there are many versions of God’s Word out there and I have to ask myself, which one is the right one. Well that is something that I cannot decide for you. I personally utilize the English Standard Version (ESV) as my go to, but I also have on my desk, the New International Version (NIV) and the Christian Standard Bible (CSB). I also have access, online, to whatever version I would like as a resource. But notice the resource I am using to study God’s Word, HIS WORD. I may use different versions to better understand what it says, but I am using His word as the resource and not simply asking someone else.
Now, there is this game called “telephone” where information is passed through a number of people to see how accurate the information is to the original by the time it reaches the end. The overall consensus is that when it reaches the end, there is a lot that is different, added, or missing from the original version. As this is a game, it is fun and interesting to laugh at how the information changed as it reached it final destination. In this game it may be fun, yet in life, how fun is it to be working without the proper verified information. It is important that we work to get it right and the only way to ensure that the information reaches its final destination in tact and correct as it was in the beginning is to utilize the resource for the information.
When using the resources, the information is correct as written and then as received, it is correct as well. Now the interpretation of the information is not for me to talk through today, as there is something to say about the correct interpretation, yet the information is sent and received accurately as it is part of the original resource.
God’s Word is the original resource for me. It is where I start my study. I find the topic of my study, read the verse where it is found, then the passage where it is contained to get the context, and then, review other versions for more insight, and then the commentary found with the verse and passage, and then additional commentary on the verse and passage for more insight. Yes, quite the time of study, and look where I start, with the original information. I have to be sure that I am not adding or removing from God’s Word and understanding all of it as it was intended and not just picking that which I want.
“18I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.” — Revelation 22:18-19 (ESV)
God’s Word is perfect and there is no need to add to or take away from it. Not only that, there are serious consequences when done. Plagues and removal of shares are quite the discipline and frankly something that I would wish not to happen to me. I will therefore continue to go to the source as my resource when it comes to God’s Word and my role that He has for me. I will utilize the Word of God as my guide to ensure that I am getting it right. I have a duty to the LORD and the only way to fulfill that duty correctly is to use His Word as my resource and instruction manual.
When have you found yourself working with information that may or may not be complete? Are you relying on the original resource or secondary information supplied by one or more? What if you worked on getting it right by using the original resource, and with God, using His Word?
Trevor's Thoughts 