THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO "ME"

by Charles Robey
(Trussville AL)

What is your favorite Bible version? And, does the different versions of the Bible effect you, in your daily walk with the Lord? A group of seminary students were once ask which was their favorite Bible version. As they went down the line, each young person give his or her reason for their decision, until they came to the last young man.

This young man, though usually rather shy, boldly stood up and answered the question by saying, "My favorite version was my 'Mothers Interpretation'." For you see, she always lived what she believed". Needless to say, a great silent's fell over the seminar professors and audience of learning preachers.

The Apostle Paul backs up this Mothers down-to-earth interpretation of God's word, as he pinned the following scripture inspired by God,

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (II Timothy 3:16)

And, the Apostle Peter gives a big "Amen" to Paul's scripture in the following verse.

"For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost".(2 Peter 1:19)

Years ago, we were very lucky as we were able to study Bible as an elective subject,in High School. And, our teacher was a wonderful devout Presbyterian lady. She would always start the school year by having the class memorize the two before mentioned verses, proving the authorship of the scriptures. Those being:

II Timothy 3:16, and II Peter 1:19.

Our teacher would always follow her instructions by telling us these two verses were the main stays of proving the scriptures were Holy and without error. Memories of these Bible classes, along with the combination of memorizing scripture have surely come in handy, when witnessing of Gods divine power, over the years.

I must confess, early in my life before becoming a Christian,I would tend to add too or take away from the scriptures, to fit my particular needs. I guess you might say it was " the gospel according to Me". Have you ever been there and done that?

However, when I committed my life to the Lord, my miracle happened. I now fully believe the entire Bible to be free from error, in its original version. Yes, the "gospel according to Me" suddenly changed to the "gospel according to the Holy Spirit".

For you see, the entire Bible was written by a group of human authors, just like us, and the only way in which fallible humans could have written so many different infallible texts in such a varied time span, would have been for them to have been inspired by God.

Given this biblical accuracy, we know that God did in fact oversee the creation of the Bible's text, which in turn prevented the authors from committing any error. So, what about you? Are you "practicing what you read or are you interrupting?

Let us now go back and break down that famous doctrinal verse in 2 Timothy 3:16. This verse covers the purpose of the entire Bible.

FOR TEACHING
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. " ( Proverbs 22:6)

We are never to young, or too old for that matter, to learn. So have at it

FOR REPROOF
"The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself brings his mother to shame. " ( Proverbs 29:15).

Don't you just hate for an older "Saint of God" to give you criticism, or rebuke you, in some way? I remember an experience, early in life, we young people were attending an out of town church conference. And being young and full of vigor we were running up and down the hotel hall, just "cutting up', when one of the visiting ministry councilors peaked out of his room and rebuked us. "Charlie, he said, just wait till I tell you Dad". You see, Dad was our pastor. Boy did I get the old "wood shed" doctorial treatment.

FOR CORRECTION
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted" ( Galatians 6:1).

Being a preachers kid (PK) I have experienced plenty of correction. Some good and some bad. As a young lad, I felt it was all unjustified. If you know what I mean. I learned later in life, however, Dad was always right. Like the time Dad stopped his sermon to come down and pass around a bulletin, on which we kids were to place our well chewed "bubble gum". Yes, I was the one who started with that big over grown bubble.

FOR TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS
"I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ." (Philemon 6)

The book of Proverbs (11:12) states that he who wins souls is wise. So, we all should pray that God lead us to the right path of share our faith. And, when the opportunity does arise, that we witness to the gospel, in boldness.

Well, is the gospel "according to me' (You) or is it inspired by God? I think I know your answer. Good luck in all phases of your Christian life and may you grow daily .

God desires to empower you through the Holy Spirit to live a Christ-directed life. As you grow spiritually (confess your sin and claim the fullness of the Spirit), you will experience the deep fellowship with the Holy Spirit , through God, enabling you to grow in Christian maturity.

Often times, I tell others I don't see how God has had the time for them, spending all His time keeping me straight. However, passing time as helped me to realize that God's grace not only saved me, through my faith in Him, but this undeserved grace continues to keep me day by day.

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast". Ephesians 2:8-9)