Why is there alot of things in the bible that are sort of confusing? Like for example... "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it but, whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall have it." Luke 9:24 There are alot of verses that can be confusing. Also whats the verse trying to say?
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I rather have a bad day in the woods then a good day at work
I take that particular verse, and similar verses as, when you come to Christ, you are giving up your life and living for you, to living for Christ and giving your life to him. I once heard someone say, " Salvation is free, yet it costs you everything." I know what he was getting at and it's not of negative canotation. Dying to yourself, and being reborn as a follower of Jesus is a new life for you, a life in a spiritual realm, rather than just life in the flesh. We are in the world, but not of the world! It requires giving up what our flesh sees as fun, or happiness, and finding true happiness and purpose with a life in Christ.
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"If I could just get Obama to hold my glendale for me..."
On another note, Maybe look intoanother translation, such as New American Standard version. One of my bibles is a Life Application Study Bible that is very handy. But most importantly, when reading the Word, meditate and pray while doing so. Let it speak to you, instead of getting discouraged or confused. Talking to God while studying his word and asking him to reveal his word to you is the best advice I can give.
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"If I could just get Obama to hold my glendale for me..."
Deerhunter,
There are many aids to help you in your Bible study. Do you attend church? If so where? Have you eer heard of Strong's Concordance or about commentaries?
Here to help ,
Chuck7
The New Living Translation is a good one. Something that has helped me alot in study of the Word is a purchase of a study Bible. The footnotes at the bottom are priceless.
The Bible is hard to understand because of the time period it was written in and translated in. The language structure and times were very different than ours.
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πνεύμα γ*μισα
"Error never shows itself in its naked reality in order not to be discovered. On the contrary, it dresses elegantly, so that the unwary may be led to believe that it is more truthful than truth itself."
-Irenaeus of Lyon
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it but, whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall have it." Luke 9:24
Hey Fred,
I have been through Bible college and to my understanding the King James version is the closest to the original transcripts. However ; since it was written in 1611 language you may benefit from an easier translation. I know I read the Living Bible when I was first a Christian. I would compare it often though with the King James. I have about 6 different translations in my home. I still read teh Living Bible when reading some of the Old Test.
Now for your question.
' LukE 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
For whosoever...talking about any person , you me , the disciples WHOEVER...will save his life will try to preserve his life. His selfish motives and lust,Protecting it , building a wall around it.The one who is building his kingdom here on the earth instead of investing in the Kingdom whose builder and maker is God.This person shall .. lose ithis/her life. When one comes to Christ it is supposed to be a life of death. Dying to our old selfish nature and learning from Christ and putting on his nature.The person who is preserving his selfish life" shall lose it."
BUT whosoever shall lose his life his selfish ambitions, lust , his own way and for some their lives literally These folks shall find eternal life. They have traded this short life for eternal life. God calls us daily to die of ourselves. To humble ourselves, to love the unlovable, When we truly walk in love my friend you must be dead to yourself. But yes, their are those even as we speak in hostile countries that are laying down their lives everyday literally such as Sadan, India and othe ranti Christian countries. These are missionairies whom God has laid on their hearts to go to these folks. They are obedient even unto death. There are those at our work place and some of our neighbors that are also challenging. We are to think the best for them and pray for them. We are to die of our old way of thinking and let God's Word govern our motives. This also is dying to ourselves. And he who keepeth God's Word has eternal life.Yes.."The same shall find it."
Chuck
I don't have much time now but, there's a whole lot of scriptures . . . .Do you have the Holy Spirit? Have you committed your life to Christ Jesus? You prolly have. Find scripture like this one and pray and consider over it. Luk 24:45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, Or this:
Eph 1:17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
Theres some really good word concerning this topic, and I havn't posted the most pertinant ones. keep reading your bible, no one has even a near complete understanding of Gods word.
__________________ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
I have nothing to add here, just would like to chime in my agreement. I used to have trouble comprehending the Bible. I would pray every time before doing a word study for Holy Sprirt guidance, and for wisdom, understanding, and revelation. Now, I have no problem understanding what I read, and relating it's relevance in my life today, 21 centuries after the words were spoken. I also use study aids, such as strongs concordance, study Bibles, Bible Atlases, etc... I served as youth pastor at my church for 7 years, and would often recommend the New Living Translation to young men and women who had trouble understanding the Word. But, I believe prayer and time in the Word are the big answers. Get to know your maker, and you will become infinielymore proficientat deciphering scripture. Try to memorize a verse that speaks to you out of each day's reading. Also, I start each morning reading the proverb of the day after prayer, while I watch the sun rise.Jan 1st, I read Prov. 1, Jan 2nd, I read Prov. 2. February, I start over again. Then march, etc... I still glean much out of every reading.
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Archery hoghuntin' by moonlight, now there's some good, clean fun.
bible very hard to read
