The Best Version of the Bible

Four preachers were discussing their favorite translations of the Bible.

The first one said, “I like the King James Version because it’s the one I grew up with and I love its beautiful English.”

The second preacher said, “I like the New American Standard version because it is closer to the original Greek and Hebrew.”

The third one expressed preference for the New International Version because it is in the language of the modern day common man. “What good is truth if it is not understood by the reader? he asked.

The fourth preacher, however, said he preferred his mother’s version the best.

The other three men were surprised. They said, “I didn’t know your mother made a translation of the Bible.” “Yes,” he replied. “She translated it into everyday life. And it was the most beautiful and convincing translation I ever saw.”

This old, and no doubt apocryphal story, reminds me of the 19th century evangelist Gypsy Smith who once quipped, “There are five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the Christian, but most people never read the first four.”

This concept is also enunciated in scripture. The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian brethren, “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men” (2 Cor. 3:2).

Christians represent Christ. People read us like a book. And they draw conclusions about Christ, Christianity, and the church from what they see and hear. Does our practice match our profession?

• Do people see love or hate?
• Gracious speech or unkind words?
• Impartiality or Prejudice?
• Faith or fear?
• Conviction or doubt?
• Fairness or fanaticism?
• Kindness or meanness?
• Forgiveness or grudge-holding?
• Faithfulness or neglect?
• Joy or gloom?
• Goodness or wickedness?
• Spirituality or carnality?

Paul’s epistle metaphor reminds us of the hymn “The World’s Bible,” by Annie Johnson Flint Johnson.

We are the only Bibles The careless world will read,
We are the sinner’s gospel, We are the scoffer’s creed;
We are the Lord’s last message Given in deed and word,
What if the type is crooked? What if the print is blurred?”

Crooked and blurred type is not only distracting and difficult to read in a book, it’s worse when it reflects the book of your life. When the world reads such a book, they’re not seeing a clear picture of Christ and Christianity. Rather, they only read a distorted and perverted message.

Additionally, in this super-charged and volatile election year, what message is the world reading in your life? Your words? Your actions? Your attitudes? Your facebook posts? Are they seeing someone who is more excited about their favorite candidate than Christ? Someone who sees him or her as the answer to society’s problems instead of the soul-saving Gospel? Someone who elevates political partisanship over spiritual relationships?

By the way, we’re not required to debate every issue and answer every charge we hear or read. Sometimes, the better part of valor is to follow Jesus’ example at His kangaroo court of a trial, when “He answered them not a word”

Finally, reflect on the message of Arthur McPhee’s poem, “What is the Gospel according to You?”

The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
Are read by more than a few,
But the one that is most read and commented on
Is the gospel according to you.

You are writing a gospel, a chapter each day
By the things that you do and the words that you say,
Men read what you write, whether faithless or true,
Say, what is the gospel according to you’

Do men read His truth and His love in your life,
Or has yours been too full of malice and strife’
Does your life speak of evil, or does it ring true’
Say, what is the gospel according to you’

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman