Regarding every Christian upon this earth, there is one decision that MUST be made:  whether they care to make this decision, or not.

 

Some will say that their eternal future depends on this decision.  But no, this is not true because as Paul taught, any person who makes the wrong decision here, shall be concluded in unbelief:  so that God might have mercy on them . . . on Judgment Day.  (Romans 11:32)

 

In any case, this is . . .

 

A very Christian decision, because

 

any person, claiming to be a Christian, is stating that their future is fully described within the pages of the Bible.  This is simple, true, and just fine:  but

 

which Bible?

**************************************************************

 

This author could lose the following argument, but to this author, there are only two different Bible versions available today.  Oh, there are a great many “translations,” but there are only two “versions” which describe a person’s path toward Heaven.  In this author’s opinion, all other variations (between the great many translations) are minor and of no consequence to mankind.  Only Bible scholars argue these tiny differences:  and do so to no avail.

These two versions shall be shown here, and then the very, very simple decision every Christian must make shall be shown.  But what if you make the wrong decision?  Well, God would never punish a person for this mistake (or any “one mistake,” for that matter).  Biblical Proof:

(Words in italics and parentheses have been added by this author to show the conversation Paul is making.)

Romans 11:30  For as ye (meaning those who never believed) in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:

Romans 11:31  Even so have these (meaning those who “say” they believe, but believe the wrong things) also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Romans 11:32  For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.

Please note that this means mercy regarding unbelief or believing wrong things.  It does not say that it means mercy for living a disobedient life, nor an evil life!  Paul, here, is only discussing belief, unbelief, and a bit regarding misbelief.  All of this clearly identifying God’s second chance, given to those of His choosing:  meaning those who truly led good lives and “thought” they were following the correct Truths of God.  But God found them in error regarding His Truths placed upon this Earth.  Honestly, this is a tough topic for mankind to understand (including this author); and Revelation clearly teaches that only the Lamb is able to open the books for Judgment.

 

**************************************************************

 

Now, my dearest friends, rest easy:  and learn about the matter-at-hand.

The Christian Bible comes in two parts:  the Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the New Testament is written in Greek.  But very few people, today, speak either of these languages.  So, how do you decide upon “your” Bible?  You use your common sense and know that it shall never fail you.

A little over one-hundred years ago, two fellows named Brooke Westcott and Fenton Hort decided that the life required for a Christian to find Heaven (in the Bible) was too difficult.  Westcott openly declared, “it cannot be done.”  So they made it easier.  In fact, they made it effortless.  (Hello Satan, we can see you here!  2 Thessalonians 2:3 – 4)  Never mind that God, Himself, placed the words found in the Bible:  Westcott and Hort, with a bit of help from Satan, decided they would “invent” an easier path to Heaven.  All translations of the Bible, today, either side-with or side-against Westcott and Hort.  It should be noted that before Westcott and Hort, not one translation sided with their beliefs of an effortless (and guaranteed) path to Heaven:  a concept that Satan introduced to this world, through our Christian leaders.  And over time, Christians have embraced this beloved tradition (belief) that we are all going to heaven, no matter what.

For nearly two-thousand years, all Bibles taught that we are to strive for possessing the “faith of” Jesus.  This means we must work through our mistakes, our vanities, and our decisions so as to at least move in the direction of having the faith which Jesus, Himself, possessed.  If you look at the life Jesus lived, he really did live a good and simple life; with an incredible faith that any “of us” can achieve, if desired!  But even if we completely fail, we will still be able to show Him that we tried!  (Reference the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15.)  All of this is based upon God’s Truth that every person will sin and God shall only judge us by our intentions and our efforts to leave any evil and sinning ways.  (This simple and enduring truth is found in the Old Testament, the Gospels, the Qur’an, and the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.)

Well, Westcott and Hort decided that no human could ever attain this level of faith and that God has made life too difficult for mankind.  So they changed the words to “faith in” Jesus.  All Bible translations after 1881 follow either the “faith of” or the “faith in” words.  More on this below.

Before the difference is discussed, know that the original Greek words used (pistis Iesous) literally translate to “faith Jesus.”  To reference these words click here.”  Type “Galatians 2” in the “Strong’s Concordance” field, and click on “search.”  Scroll down to verse 16 when you get there and click on the number G2424.  The word “in” is its own Greek word, G1519.  And we truly should believe in Jesus, just like it says in Galatians 2:16.  But notice, just a few words before this, that Greek word G2424 is used and it just means “JESUS.”  Nothing more!  It does not mean “faith in Jesus” like all Christians are taught!

FAITH OF JESUS examples (King James Version):

Romans 3:22  Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:  for there is no difference:

Galatians 2:16  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law:  for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ:  nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me:  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

So, these verses are telling us that we should try to possess the faith which Christ, Himself had (and which Christ, Himself, showed to this world).  Faith in God, the Father; and faith in the Scriptures of God, across the world, regarding our need to obey His teachings (meaning God’s help for our living the life which is required for us to find Heaven).

FAITH IN JESUS examples (American Standard Version used here):

Romans 3:22  even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

Galatians 2:16  nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified.

Galatians 2:20  “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

So, these verses are telling us that we only need to “believe” in Jesus (with no further effort required on our part) and we shall find Heaven.  Just have faith in Jesus and we are guaranteed a free ticket to Heaven.  How simple!

 

**************************************************************

 

My friend, these were just “examples.”  The Truth of this letter can be found all through “certain” Bibles.  (More on this below.)  So, ignore for now, the words of Paul given in the verses above.  Search the Gospels (meaning the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).  Find the words that Christ, Himself, spoke.  In His words, in His parables, and in His teachings, did Christ teach that we must live a good life and do good works?  Did Christ teach about mistakes and our getting past mistakes?  Did Christ teach (to those who He had healed) to go, and leave their sinning ways?  Did Christ teach that God placed us upon this earth so that He could find out what sort of person we were?  This author cannot answer these questions for you.  This author can only place these questions before you here!

Or did Christ say that we only had to believe in Him (or God, the Father) and no further effort was required on our part?  Just believe . . . and you have made it to Heaven!  How easy is this?  No matter what we do on this earth, all we have to do is “claim to believe” and we get to Heaven!  Well:

Al Capone killed hundreds of people; but he believed in God.

Ferdinand and Queen Isabel (of Spain) killed thousands of people during the Spanish Inquisition, but they believed in God.

Adolf Hitler killed millions of people, but he believed in God.  He truly did!  One of his favorite books was written by Martin Luther (a German) who, at the end of his life, stated that it would not be a sin to kill every Jew.  Reference this by clicking here,” or especially, here.”  (Links open in a new window.)

The list could go on and on.  Pope Innocent III would be the next example.

To all Christians!  Are you truly a Christian?  Do you believe that some effort is required here in this life?

Are we told to obey all of Christ’s commands?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to never commit adultery?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to forgive all who trespass against us?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to love all others, as God has loved us?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to tell the truth?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told that however we judge others, we shall be so judged ourselves, by God?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to keep all evils out of our lives?  Well, this takes work.

Are we told to lay down our lives for others, when necessary?  Well, this takes a lot of work.

 

**************************************************************

 

Now, about one-hundred years ago, many, many Christian leaders decided to make life easier for us:  “Just ‘believe’ because everything is going to be forgiven.”  “There is no need to find the ‘straight gate,’ which Christ describes below, because everything is going to be forgiven anyway.”  Nearly all versions of the Bible, translated after Westcott and Hort’s interpretation, have followed the concept that all we have to do is to just “believe” (with no effort required on our part of life).  Nearly all Christian faiths follow the Westcott/Hort teachings.  Now, why would they do this?  Two fellows, long ago, thinking they could improve on the Word of God?  But the fact-of-the-matter is, all they really decided, was that they would “write a better Bible” than God, Himself, had supplied to this world!  And the majority of this world’s Christian faiths have blindly followed them.  Again, why would today’s Christian pastors and teachers do this?

Setting aside the OBVIOUS and SIGNIFICANT efforts of Satan here, maybe these pastors and teachers just don’t want to offend their members?  Maybe they want to maximize their collections so they don’t dare to complicate our life?  Maybe they think they are competing against other churches?  Maybe they just want their churches filled each Sunday?  Maybe it’s just easier to follow this doctrine?  (Because maybe if we are not required to DO anything in our life, then they are not required to TEACH anything?)  Never forget these two verses:

Matthew 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Matthew 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

My friend, the decision is yours.  Do not place your eternal Life in the hands of some pastor, teacher, or minister you have never really known.  Do not place your eternal Life in the hands of this author, whose words you now read, but who you have never known either.  Make your own decision!  Make sure you never experience the second death found in Revelation 2:11, 20:6, 20:14, and especially 21:7 – 8.

When you ever stand before Christ, on Judgment Day, you can either stand there with only a faith (which you truly understand, but never cared to demonstrate:  this same faith which Jesus demonstrated toward all!) or you can stand there with your good deeds (that have been recorded in God’s Book of Life) and a sincere “desire” to have faith in our Father, which Christ showed to us (and then told us to follow His example).  Your decision here is:  if Christ came here to be our example, did He demonstrate life, or did He demonstrate faith?  Or did He demonstrate both, equally?  Did Christ teach that the ONE equals THE OTHER?  Ignore, for now, the letters of the Apostles.  But do consider, greatly, the words that Christ spoke while He was here.  Christ’s words (meaning God’s words) are found in the four Gospels.  Remember always, the following:  mankind has never fully understood the letters of the Apostles.  Why?  Because mankind has always placed the letters of the Apostles “ahead of” the words of Christ.  (Honestly, know now that Christ was God.  Christ was always God!  And Christ’s words can be hard.  The Apostles were men:  and their words seem easy.  So, do you follow “men?”  Or do you follow God?  Oops, another “Christian Decision” here!)  When Jesus taught this world about faith, he usually compared it to a tiny mustard seed.  But when Jesus taught this world about life, he only compared it to that which is “right or wrong.”

(Think of it this way . . . if you found a “word” of the Apostles that disagreed with the Words of Christ, who’s words would you place first?  If that Apostle were standing next to you, right now, who’s words would that Apostle tell you to follow?  Christ’s words, or the Apostle’s words?  This, exactly, is the error of many Christians, today.)

The decision is yours, but now, at least, you have all of the facts.

Westcott and Hort (just two men!) published their famous work in 1881.  Since then, nearly every Bible follows their concept of translation.  But is Life a popularity contest?  Or is Life supposed to be lived according to our LORD, who holds our futures in His Hands?

 

**************************************************************

 

 

“FAITH OF JESUS” BIBLES (and year of completion)

King James Version (1611)
Wycliffe New Testament (1395)
21st Century King James Version (1994)

 

“FAITH IN JESUS” BIBLES (and year of completion)a partial listing

New American Standard Bible (1995)
New International Version (1984)
American Standard Version (1901)
New International Version 2011 update (2011)
New Century Version (1978)
Worldwide English Version (1969)
New King James Version (1979)
Christian Standard Bible (2017)
English Standard Version (2001)
Contemporary English Version (1991)
Good News Translation (1966)
New International Readers Version (1994)
New Living Translation (1996)

You can verify all of this by clicking here.”  (Link opens in a new window.)  Once there, you can “one-click” switch to any version of the Bible that you desire; and then compare to the King James Version.  Please notice both verses 16 and 20.

 

**************************************************************

 

My friend, have you had time to consider that decision placed before you, here in this letter?

For any who have not yet made this decision, there is one further proof that needs to be considered.  The Greek word “pistis” (faith) appears in many other places of the Bible.  Let’s see how the two different Bible versions treat the word there:  (Please note that this is a CRITICAL LESSON!)

“FAITH OF” examples (King James Version):

Romans 4:16  Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed;  not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

The translators treated it exactly as the above “Jesus” verses.  And we truly should try to have the faith which Abraham possessed and we truly should try to have the faith which God’s elect possess.

“FAITH IN” examples (American Standard Version used here):

Romans 4:16  For this cause it is of faith, that it may be according to grace; to the end that the promise may be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all

Titus 1:1  Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,

Oops, Westcott and Hort kept the word “of” in these verses regarding Abraham.  Why?  Same writer . . . Paul!  Same Greek word used for faith . . . pistis!  Same sentence structure:  placing the feminine noun (faith) before the masculine proper nouns (Abraham and God’s elect)!  But here, they are not telling us to have faith IN Abraham (or IN God’s elect)?  Why?  Because they KNEW this was forbidden by God.  They knew that Abraham was long since dead and could not help us one bit.  (And by the way, THEY KNEW these Greek words were identical to those they had already changed regarding Jesus.)

 

**************************************************************

 

Knowing all of this, and knowing that this is not just a “scholarly argument” (and knowing that this truly affects the life God wants you to live), you now have a decision to make.  You can do nothing:  and as Paul teaches (in Romans 11 above), then be placed amongst the unbelievers of this world and hope that God grants you His second chance, maybe, if you are lucky.  Know now, that not everyone receives a second chance:  Christ taught this through the story of Lazarus in Luke 16:19 – 31.  Click here for the story.  (Link opens in a new window.)  This “second chance” belongs only to God; and He obviously has His guidelines for who obtains it.  (Meaning that no person can claim a right to God’s second chance!)

Or . . . would you rather “get everything right” here in this lifetime (meaning your first chance)?  Well, this might mean making some changes in your life and actually working toward that eternal life you have decided upon.  Do not seek help in this matter!  Remember always, that it was your Christian pastors and teachers who started you down the wrong path of misbelieving.  Question your pastor or teachers, if you want to, but never let them declare the above Truths of God as “untrue.”  Better yet, ask your pastor or teachers to read this webpage.  (It will only take ten minutes of their time.)  Then ask them to explain the above truths.  Always “question” those who preach the Word of God to humanity!  And know that God did not write HIS BIBLE for pastors, preachers, priests, nor ministers.  God wrote HIS BIBLE FOR YOU!  Decide, for yourself, the course of your eternal life!  We are talking about your next billion, or so, years here!  Your heart will know when you are on the right path.  Trust your common sense.

 

 

 

 

Copyright (2024) by jpw2@wisdomi.org.  NO RIGHTS RESERVED.
I freely place the material found on this webpage in the public domain.  Any person may reproduce, copy, and distribute the material found on this webpage “at will.”  This author does humbly request that you do not use the information here until you actually “own” it (within your heart).  Then, teach it as if you “created” it:  you need not give this author, nor this website, any credit.  Make the material yours and then teach it like it is yours!  For this is the best way to teach anything.  Our time remaining is incredibly short now.