Part 1: Lost in Translation

So often, in the Christian community, we hear the phrase; “come out of the world”, while it sounds good, those that quote it never quite explain or fully comprehend what it means themselves. If most of them actually knew the meaning, they’d stop quoting it until they became a doer as well.

“Come out the world” seems like such a simple phrase and command, but as God himself is calling a generation that actually listens to the call, many older Christians are doubting, questioning, and fearful of the process. The elders of Jesus’ day reacted the very same way. They thought Jesus was crazy and out of his mind. They persecuted (poked fun of, laughed at, acted with hostility, mistreated) him calling him a blasphemer, a drunk, and so many other names. Why? Because Jesus began rightly dividing the Word of God which went against that which was widely being taught, believed, and practiced. Jesus’ proper interpretation of the Word challenged their beliefs. It made them question not only their way of life but also their own faith and belief system. It made them assess their own walk with the Father.

A large number of people in Jesus’ day just like today wanted the same watered down messages that had been passed down yet misinterpreted for generations. You may wonder how the meaning of a message can be misinterpreted, but it’s quite easy. A quick game of the popular childhood game; Chinese whispers, shows just how fast a message can be misconstrued. To start the game, one person whispers a message into the ear of another and that person whispers it into the ear of the next person and so forth. The last person stands and says the message aloud. Most of the time, the final message is totally different from the original message. While we laugh at the absurdity of how one message is misconstrued in just a very short period of time, sadly, the gospel has been very much done the same way except in a much large time span.The Bible has been translated and interpreted so many times, the original message and it’s original meaning has been lost in translation. Yet, Jesus, like a few others before him, rose up and properly divided (or broke down) the word; restoring truth yet people hated him for it. They hated him for destroying everything they grew up on. They hated him for studying and showing himself approved. The elders hated him for even thinking he could do what they did. They hated his light. They couldn’t grasp that God would use someone they viewed below them (in stature) to achieve what they’d been trying to for years. The Scripture; 1 Corinthians 1:27, says God chooses (what or who we may deem to be) the foolish things (those who we think lowly of) of the world to shame the wise (those deemed the experts or philosophers of the word). The bible says in Jeremiah 8:8 “How can you say we are wise, we have (and know) the law of the Lord when actually the lying pen of the scribes has handled it falsely? The wise (of the world) will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped…” “From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain, prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as if it’s not (that) serious. “Peace, Peace,” they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct? No, they have no shame at all,…” Furthermore, right above that scripture is Jeremiah 8: 5-7 which states; Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. I (the LORD) have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness, saying “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle. Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not (even) know the (basic) requirements of the LORD.”

The word says, “his people don’t even know the requirements of the Lord”. About a year ago one of my elders; a devout Christian, came to me questioning me about my obedience to the Lord’s call for me to “come out the world.” I asked her, “well, what is sin then?” She stumbled a bit then responded with; in a matter-of-fact voice, “I grew up being told sin was wearing short skirts and showing your arms”. Her response broke my heart. Here, she was upset and questioning me about my walk with Christ (Greek) yet didn’t know what a basic term such as “sin” meant. Much like the Elder and Pharisees of Jesus’ day, she only knew the man made church rules that men dictated as God’s law. In my closing of part 1, I urge you to go to the fountain of truth for yourself and that fountain can only be attained by those who are truly SICK of this world; its systems, its injustices, its judgments, its unbearable and constant demands, and what it has offered us in exchange for our souls. You must thirst for the living water; that which sustains us. The water the world gives (including most leaders of churches) is only temporary and will not keep you. If you are being persecuted for being obedient and coming out of the world, just remember Jesus was persecuted for the same and if they persecuted him, they will persecute you also for they do not (truly) know the one that sent him; John 15:20-21.

Happy Sabbath!

-Karen C