Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jonahsway welcomes you. Now, for a difficult one. It’s difficult because it seems false at first blush. "Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him." 1 John 3:21-22 (NRSV)
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"Hey God, why do people change Your words?"
"Beats me, Jonah. Have an example?"
"Sure do. In the NIV they don’t even include 1 John 3: 22 while the encouragement Bible, the American Standard and the King James are similar but still different enough to be confusing."
"Perhaps you’re fearful of the truth, Jonah?"
"And how is that, Father?’
"The traditional rendering of Tynsdale and the King James say that you receive whatever you ask because you obey my commandments and do what pleases Me."
"Which sounds a lot like ‘earning’ your way instead of receiving it by grace, Yahweh."
"Yes, it does, Jonah. Unless you read the whole thing in the context it was given…then ‘Bingo’, you got understanding."
"You sure about that, God?"
Somewhat, Jonah; let’s see-it says that the commandment you must obey is to believe on My Son Jesus Christ and love one another as he has commanded you. This puts the outcome back where it belongs-on My Son. Makes it clear and simple enough for even a gentile, right?"
"Maybe, I mean if I were a gentile and all."
"But you ARE a gentile, Jonah…grafted to the tree; not part of it by nature. Probably why you’ve got all these question, ehe? So How about this for simple? I wrap it up with the statement that by doing these few things you abide in My Son and He abides in you through the Holy Spirit; an easy to understand and perfect connection."
"And with this perfect connection I get…?"
"You receive whatever you ask for -the Spirit will not lead you to ask for or to seek what is not within My will for you. Make sense, Jonah?"
"Still doesn‘t tell me why they change the words."
"They’re trying to get it right, Jonah."
"Achk!…don’t believe it. I think they just want to…"
"Jonah!"
"Yes, Father."
"Remember the part about loving others as you have been loved?’
"Yes, God."
"You have been shown much tolerance and compassion, Jonah. And let me clarify what I mean by that…you haven’t been fried, yet."
"Ouch!"
"So, perhaps a little compassion and tolerance for others would be good, you think?"
"I’ll try, Father."
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