Wednesday, October 5, 2011

the best translation of the bible…

there was an article in the orange county register.  they did a poll of CHRISTians in orange county.  it said, “many in orange county believe but don’t practice.  from scores of well-kept churches orange county residents appear average or even devout in their religious beliefs but when it comes to practicing those beliefs, a register poll reveals that most residents are more inclined to worship the golden calf than the lamb of GOD.”  it goes on and talks about hearers not doers.

that is what james is attacking.  he’s saying, “if you want to be blessed, you’ve got to live the word of GOD, not just hear it. not just know it.” 

i really work at making the bible simple.  there is a lot in the bible that is difficult to understand, complex, deep.  yet i try to present it in such a way that’s very clear and very easy to understand and easy to put into practice.  when you leave the front porch i want you to be able to do the word not just hear the word of GOD.  i work at making it practical.  i try to make it simple so we can put it into practice.

i heard about the guy who came to church late.  he walked in just as the service was completing.  he said to an usher, “is the sermon done, yet?”  the usher was wise and said, “the sermon has been preached, but it is yet to be done.”  be ye doers of the word, don’t merely listen.  put it into practice.

my honest prayer is that you will remember what i said and put it into practice.  people have a living bible.  you ought to be a living bible.  the best translation of scripture is when you translate it into your life and let it change you. 

james 1.25 (ph), the man who puts the law into practice wins true happiness.  JESUS, in matthew 7, tells the story of the wise and the foolish builder.  he says the foolish builder builds on sand.  he is like the guy who hears the word of GOD but doesn’t do what it says.  the wise man is the one who hears it and then goes out and makes an honest attempt to put it into his life.  practice it.

just a thought from the front porch

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