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Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the New Testament, known as the Recovery Version. The following quotation is taken from this version of the New Testament:
"Throughout the centuries, translations of the Bible have steadily improved. In general, each new translation inherits from previous ones and opens the way for later ones. While a new translation derives help from its predecessors, it should go further. The Recovery Version of the New Testament, following the precedent set by the major authoritative English versions and taking these versions as reference, not only incorporates lessons learned from an examination of others' practices but also attempts to avoid biases and inaccurate judgments. This version, frequently guided by other versions, attempts to provide the best utterance for the revelation in the divine Word, that it may be expressed in the English language with the greatest accuracy." [ See THE NEW TESTAMENT: Recovery Version, Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California, Copyright 1985, 1991 Living Stream Ministry, p. iii. ]
Matthew 7:13, 14 read as follows:
"13 Enter in through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter through it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and constricted is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it."
Jesus ( see Matthew 4:23 ) teaches, in verse fourteen ( above ), that the way that leads to life is constricted. If someone were to ask you what religion is, what would be your answer? Simply put, religion is the way you live. John 14:6 reads as follows: "Jesus said to him, I am the way and the reality and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Me."
Jesus is the way: He committed no sin ( see Matthew 1:16 and 1 Peter 2:21, 22, for example ). Jesus is the reality: He said in Matthew 4:19, "Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus is the life: He ( see John 5:19 ) said in John 5:24, "Truly, Truly, I say to you, He who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment but has passed out of death into life."
What is the conclusion, then? If you are pursuing a life of sin ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ), then you are pursuing false religion. If you are not coming after Jesus, then you are out of touch with reality: you are pursuing false religion. Jesus is true religion, if you are not pursuing Him you have no hope of eternal life. Finally, Jesus ( see Luke 13:12 ) said in Luke 13:24, "Struggle to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to enter, yet will not be able." The way that leads to eternal life is constricted, and it will require struggle on our part: Jesus is that way. Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).
If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:
<rewillis1_1@juno.com>
<Russell E. Willis>
NOTE: The copy of the version of the New Testament, pictured above, is damaged at the lower right corner, because it was dropped: 2014 has been a difficult year, in this regard, for example. As a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), I try to be honest ( see Romans 3:23 and Ephesians 4:25, for example ). Additionally, the apostle Paul ( see 2 Corinthians 1:1; 12:11; 13:10, for example ) wrote of a "ministry of reconciliation" ( see 2 Corinthians 5:18 ): it is not called Living Stream Ministry ( see 1 Peter 4:11, for example ).
