Misinterpretation

Misinterpretation

          Have you heard the story of the little girl who loved her teacher and her first year of school? That is until she had a cold and had to miss a week of school. She was afraid to go back. ”Why?” inquired her mother. Through her tears she told her mother “The teacher told us she would have to throw us in the furnace if we missed three days of school.” Mother called the teacher to inquire why her daughter would think such a thing. After some serious reflection the teacher remembered. ‘We were talking about signing our names. I told them after missing three days of school I would have to drop them from the register” The same word; two completely different meanings.

.         You can understand why a little girl would be confused. A cute story; until you realize the child was terrified for no reason. She believed she was in danger, from a teacher she loved, that she would be seriously burned, for nothing more than missing school. We know that she had never been in danger, so we laugh. She believed she was and she suffered. The difference is in the belief,

          I think we are just as confused with religion. We have misinterpreted the meaning of Scripture many times. You must remember �" the Bible was written by men. Godly men I am sure �" but men with their own belief and opinions. How many times was it rewritten? Translated from one language to another? Many words have several meanings; like two, too and to and register; and others have no meaning in another language. Worse yet, we read the Bible, a spiritual book, with a human mind set. The Dead Sea Scrolls are not the only hidden religious writings to be uncovered. You are what you believe so be sure that you understand what it is you believe.

          Interpret this. “I and my Father are one.” Many good people believe Jesus was admitting that He is God in human form. It could mean that. I prefer to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and we are all children of God. I believe that God and I are one and God is the One. As Jesu stated, “We live and move and have our being in God.” I also believe that God fills all time and all space with His Goodness. Where else could we be except in God’s loving care? I’m not saying that you are wrong and I am right. I’m just giving a different inteerprettation.to think about.

          It is a common belief that God sent Jesus to earth for the express purpose of shedding His blood on the cross as atonement for humanity’s sins. I can’t believe that a loving Father would do that. God wouldn’t allow Abraham kill Isaac, and Jesus set the sacrificial animals free. I could never understand why God would demand the blood that He created in the first place. Jesus’ statements claim that he was sent to teach men how to live, not to die. “God is the God of the living not the dead” “I must be about my Father’s business.” “For this reason came I into the world.” And many more quotes of this nature. Ignorant men killed Jesus without God’s approval.

          We think that the interpretations of someone who preaches from the pulpit, and has been taught in a religious college, is more accurate and we are willing to take their word and live by it. The truth is that it is too much trouble to think for ourselves. With all we have to do we just don’t have time (or the interest) to give it much thought. If not now; when? It is time to think about what we believe by knowing, “The kingdom of heaven is within.” The Truth is true for everyone. The power is in Christ. The pattern is Jesus. What was possible to Christ consciousness in Jesus’ time is possible to that same consciousness Now. The outer is but the expression of the image held within. Go within and find your true interpretation. God wants you to be happy.

“Know ye not that ye are gods?”

          698 words            Loretta Ellen Edwards