How reliable are the scriptures for finding life in Jesus? I would tend to rely on scriptures overall but be mindful that any individual verse might have translation errors. It is possible to read them with both of these in tension. I guess historians acquire the skill more than the rest of us when reading translated texts. Some scriptures are not even available in the original languages. Taking to heart what is the gist of a passage is good but if a particular verse is important to your understanding, best to research it a bit. I offer my contribution in this matter by saying that my overall understanding of John’s gospel led me into actual meetings first hand with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as those passages said Jesus promised so the English translation must be pretty good. I did try cross referring to the Greek using an interlinear a lot but the overall meaning in most English translations of passages such as John chapter 14 is good enough. Now when it comes to obeying the commands of Jesus we have to be careful and research them fairly well or it could be dangerous. If we misunderstand them or use a poor translation and then go and try to obey it on that basis, that could be disastrous. Once sure of the meaning, obeying is how to show love for Him and His promise ensues. How reliable are the scriptures for finding life in Jesus? I would tend to rely on scriptures overall but be mindful that any individual verse might have translation errors. It is possible to read them with both of these in tension. I guess historians acquire the skill more than the rest of us when reading translated texts. Some scriptures are not even available in the original languages. Taking to heart what is the gist of a passage is good but if a particular verse is important to your understanding, best to research it a bit. I offer my contribution in this matter by saying that my overall understanding of John’s gospel led me into actual meetings first hand with God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit as those passages said Jesus promised so the English translation must be pretty good. I did try cross referring to the Greek using an interlinear a lot but the overall meaning in most English translations of passages such as John chapter 14 is good enough. Now when it comes to obeying the commands of Jesus we have to be careful and research them fairly well or it could be dangerous. If we misunderstand them or use a poor translation and then go and try to obey it on that basis, that could be disastrous. Once sure of the meaning, obeying is how to show love for Him and His promise ensues. I tend to think it best to hold onto the sayings even when it isn’t clear what they mean or how to obey them, until it becomes clear. For example for years I pondered what “keep your lamps trim and burning brightly” means in practical terms. Clearly nothing to do with actual lamps. Now writing all this it makes sense. I must keep my words clear and in tune with His teachings. That takes discipline and effort. But getting lax and fuzzy is not what He wants from me. So as you serve, you learn. Obeying in what you have already as much as you find you can do so, and getting ever ready to do more as becomes possible later, that is acceptable to Him. That is love for Him. He rewards it with visits, fellowship, and with blessings from the Holy Spirit, eventually when the time is acceptable to God the Father. Fellowship from the Father too.
