WHICH TRANSLATION?

It seems several Pastors were discussing their favorite translation of the Bible. Each had their reasons for preferring one translation over the others, which were quite common. One liked his version because of its scholarly adherence to the Greek and Hebrew, while another liked his contemporary version with its up-to-date vocabulary. And so the discussion went with each giving their reasons for preferring their particular translation.

Finally one man said “I prefer my mother’s translation”, which surprised the others who knew she couldn't have been involved in translating the Bible. He went on to say “she translated it into life, and it was the most convincing translation I ever saw.”

This should give us food for thought, as we consider the year ahead of us. Will we spend countless hours discussing our favorite translation, or will we allow the Holy Spirit to help us “translate it into life”? Many people have never read any translation of the Bible for various reasons. Perhaps we could be the translation that they could read by watching the way we handle various life situations. The Holy Spirit was given to be our teacher, comforter, and guide (John 14, 15 and 16). Here the promise of Jesus is recorded, as given just hours before his death on the cross of Calvary. We know from reading the book of Acts, that this promise was fulfilled on the Day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit came to be with us, and in us, as Jesus promised. Let's let him fill us and use us to accomplish this task!

I would like to challenge each of you to be like this Pastor’s mother and “translate it into life”.

When we take time to read God’s word,

Our hearts are filled with pleasure;

So let’s relate the truth we’ve heard—

With others share the treasure.---Hess

The best commentary on the Bible is a person who puts it into practice!!

Sincerely submitted---Gramp (based on a devotional from Our Daily Bread)