Dear Friends,
Have you heard of the Amplified Bible? It’s an interesting and sometimes helpful tool to use for Bible study. I say sometimes, because the Amplified Bible can be guilty of adding too much to a particular verse in an attempt to amplify its meaning.
Let me show you what I’m talking about. Here’s how the Amplified Bible amplifies John 3:16:
“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
I think it’s safe to say that including “and trusts in Him [as Savior]” adds a debatable interpretive layer to the text. God’s declaration that those who believe in Jesus will not perish involves more than simply trusting Him as your savior.
All of which means that the Amplified Bible shouldn’t be your primary or exclusive source for Bible study and interpretation. If you choose to use it, you should be alert to the possibility that there might be a layer of meaning added to what you’re reading that is not in the original text.
Here's what got me thinking about the Amplified Bible today. I was reading in Romans 12:9, where the Bible says that we are to “abhor what is evil and hold fast to what is good” (ESV). Actually, the translation I was looking at, the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) reads like this: “Detest evil; cling to what is good.”
I was struck by the two verbs in that sentance. First, we are told to detest or abhor evil. Those are strong English words. So I went to my Greek dictionary to see what I could learn about the original Greek. It turns out that the word apostugeo is the strongest Greek word for hatred. It means “to detest with horror.” Nothing halfway about that. And the Greek word translated “cling to” or “hold fast to” – kollao – means “to glue together” or “to make adhere.” Again, the meaning is not hidden.
With this verse, I think the Amplified Version is helpful. “Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good.”
As I thought about these two commands of scripture – to detest what is evil and to cling to what is good – I had to ask myself about my own mindset. I’d be a little more comfortable if the verse said “avoid evil and choose good.” I try to do that. Most of the time. You do too, right?
But the Bible doesn’t let me off that easy here. My tendency in this case is not to try to amplify the meaning of this verse, but to try to tone it down a bit. To dial it back. Instead of the Amplified Bible, with verses like these, I prefer the Softened Bible™. It doesn’t really exist, but I’ve become pretty good at coming up with the alternate version in my head, on the fly. When I read “abhor,” I think “that seems extreme. Let’s go with ‘express mild disapproval for.”
See how easy it can be to soften the hard parts?
I don’t mind being told to stay away from evil things or to lean in the direction of what is good. But abhorring and clinging? Doesn’t that seem a little extreme? A little over the top? Wouldn’t we be doing everyone a favor with a little moderation here?
The problem is, these commands aren’t supposed to be soft. When it comes to what is evil – what is an offense before a holy, holy, holy God – our approach should be more drastic than to try to keep a safe distance from it. “Oh you who love the Lord,” the Psalmist says, “hate evil!” (Psalm 97:10).
And when it comes to what is good – that which is pure and honorable and righteous and true and just and lovely and commendable – we are supposed to glue ourselves to these things. To hold on to them and never let go.
Here’s where it can get tricky. We are to hate what is evil while we patiently love the evil doer. There is a day of wrath coming for those who persist in their love of evil and their rejection of God. That day is not today. Today is the day of salvation. Love your enemies.
And a final note. If we’re going to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good, we’re going to have to know how to tell the difference between the two. We need to heed the warning of the prophet Isaiah who says “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20). We live in a day when people celebrate what the Bible condemns. And they despise what the Bible commands. We must align our thinking with God’s judgment on what is right and what is wrong. And then train ourselves to hate one while we hold fast to the other.
Okay, I’m going to give it a try. I’ve never made homemade chicken nuggets before. But the internet swears that this recipe makes “Homemade Chicken Nuggets that are not only healthier than McNuggets, but they’re also addicting! These are the BEST chicken nuggets you can make at home!”
So for our upcoming First Tuesday men’s meeting, I’m going to put the recipe to the test!
Oh, and we’ll continue our Stepping Up men's study as well.
Speaking of food, men, get ready for a great breakfast! Saturday, May 18, we’ll gather for food and fellowship. Click here (https://redeemerlr.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2277993) and let us know you’re planning to attend.
Mother’s Day is always a special day for us as we dedicate children to the Lord. If you have a child who you have not had dedicated, you are welcome to add your name to our upcoming ceremony on Mother’s Day, May 12. Reach out to Jen Gurney with any questions.
If you’ve been visiting Redeemer and you’d like to know more about what it means to be a member in our church, we hope you can join us in May for our Friday Evening/Saturday Morning Church Membership Class. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about Redeemer and to get to know leaders and other people who are new to our church.
School will be out soon. Summer is almost here. And that means it’s time to start making plans for some summer fun!
The Roots Student Ministry has a lot happening this summer.
Click here (https://redeemerlr.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2285029) to find out more and register for the upcoming events.
Our Backyard Bible Club for younger children will be all about the Fruit of the Spirit this summer. Here are the dates. And here’s a link (https://redeemerlr.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/2268897) so you can get more info and sign your kids up now!
And for those of you who want to get a head start on adding our upcoming summer activities to your personal or family calendar, you can download the summer calendar by clicking here (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vd4uvdr62ovnbr0i6eird/FINAL_2024MAY-AUG_Church-Cal-by-Ministry-Blocks-Rev04232024.pdf?rlkey=l0fuco7zzohmu7w7nf7t94bzh&dl=0). Or you can pick up a copy at church on Sunday.
When the Apostle John was taken up in the Spirit to the throne room of heaven, he witnessed the dramatic prologue that sets up the unfolding drama of redemption and ultimate judgment that is pictured for us in the book of Revelation. What he witnessed – and what we’ll study this Sunday – was nothing less than a masterpiece.
See you in church.
Soli Deo Gloria!
Pastor Bob
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