Every so often we find things in the Bible that are clearly backwards. Take, for instance, the story in Acts. Paul preached a sermon in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:13-41) and the text says, "As many as had been appointed to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). Okay, hold on a minute; that can't be right. Back up, Luke; you got that wrong. It's supposed to read, "As many as believed were appointed to eternal life." That is, "believe" is the cause of "appointed to eternal life" and not the other way around. But there it is.
John wrote, "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him" (1 John 5:1). Odd verb tense there, isn't it? Doesn't "believes" cause "born of God"? This verse seems to say that "born of God" precedes ("has been") "believes." In fact, Jesus said something similar. "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Get the sequence? "Not born of God" = "cannot see the kingdom of God." Strange. Does that mean that, in order to see the kingdom to respond in faith, we have to first be born again?
Jesus did a similar thing elsewhere. He told the Jews, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father's name bear witness about Me, but you do not believe because you are not among My sheep. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me" (John 10:25-27). See it? We generally think the exact opposite. Those who do not believe are not His sheep because to be His sheep you have to first believe. But Jesus said that the reason they didn't believe was because they weren't among His sheep. That is, "Not among My sheep" explained why they didn't believe. Turned around.
It happens. It turns out that God thinks differently than we do. It turns out that we might turn ideas around to match our preconceptions rather than letting God's ideas shape our beliefs. We are pottery that has no problem telling the Potter, "What are you doing?!" (Isa 45:9). Perhaps we ought to rethink this strategy.
2 comments:
This verse is one where you have to pay close attention to what Jesus is actually saying.
I remember when you brought it to my attention years ago. but notice what happens with the NET version. they changed the whole context from " the work of God" to "what is required."
In the KJV and HCSB Version it is "the Work of God" that causes belief.
In the NET version. the emphasis is placed upon faith as a deed that we must do.
KJV: 28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. 30 They said therefore unto him,
HCSB: 28 “What can we do to perform the works of God? ” they asked.
29 Jesus replied, “This is the work of God — that you believe in the One He has sent.”
NET: 28 So then they said to him, “What must we do to accomplish the deeds God requires?” 29 Jesus replied, “This is the deed God requires – to believe in the one whom he sent.”
And that's all i know...
It is a danger we all face, rewording Scripture to match our own ideas.
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