what if i read the message bible......... what will happen?
You may find it more confusing, but some people don't.
All I can do is suggest that when you are at an impasse in trying to correct a saved believer of a false teaching... check with the KJV. The actual message of His words may help those believe that christianity is not hard and that they are not in the process of being saved but are saved.
Let's look at those references....of Matthew 7:13-14 & 1 Corinthians 1:18 in the Message Bible and compare...
Matthew 7:[SUP]13-14 [/SUP]“Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. Message Bible
Well... the above reference seems to refer to the cares of this life in how everybody else lives and that the way to life to God requires you to be vigorous and total attention.
Not really the message when it is about how false prophets will come into the church to mislead many to lead them away from Jesus Christ when read in context of Matthew 7:13-27 But to someone that thinks christianity is hard, they might see how one has to be totally devoted to God vigorously to get eternal life...
How do you read that reference above?
I believe Matthew 7:13-14 is about how Jesus Christ is the
only way to approach God the Father by and some will try to provide another way to approach God the Father by and that is by coming by way of the Holy Spirit, but the Holy Spirit in believers is still pointing believers to keep going to the Son aka the Bridegroom, in coming to God the Father by. which is why straight is the gate and narrow is the way as Jesus is the only way to come to God the Father by.
John 14:[SUP]6 [/SUP]Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. KJV
John 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber....[SUP]7 [/SUP]Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. KJV
Matthew 7:[SUP]13 [/SUP]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:[SUP] 14 [/SUP]Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.[SUP]15 [/SUP]Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. KJV
You can go before that throne of grace and trust Jesus Christ as your Good Shepherd to help you understand and see the truth in His words to you about what He is talking about there, but the Message Bible seems a bit confusing to me as not really pertaining to the original message at all.
The next reference...
1 Corinthians 1:[SUP]18-21 [/SUP]The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but
for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out. It’s written, The Message Bible
It seems to imply that they are on the way to salvation, but not saved yet , leaving out the message of how believing in Him, the preaching of the cross is how we are saved.
1 Corinthians 1:[SUP]18 [/SUP]For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. KJV
Pray about this, but that is the whole point of why I rely on the KJV when correcting saved believers from false teachings because christianity is not hard nor are they in the process of being saved when they are saved when we are to rest in Jesus Christ when we come to Him.
Matthew 11:[SUP]25 [/SUP]At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.[SUP] 26 [/SUP]Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.[SUP]27 [/SUP]All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.[SUP]28[/SUP]
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.[SUP]29 [/SUP]Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. [SUP]30 [/SUP]For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
Did Jesus lie? No. Then it is by having the right Bible that believers that err may know that rest that they have in Christ Jesus as promised that they are saved when they had come to and believed in Jesus Christ. If little children are free to come to Him by believing in Him, then that is how adults are to come to Him in how we are saved.