Eashoa (Jesus) didn't come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. The disciples even asked Him regarding the Scribes and Pharisees, whether they should listen to them or not. Eashoa said to them, "Do as they say, but don't do as they do." Because the scribes always quoted the Law, but their interpretation of the Law was often hypocritical; they did what fitted their purposes.
Eashoa didn't want to write an interpretation of the Scriptures and hand it down to His scribes. He lived the Law by setting an example and He showed the way each individual would have to interpret the Law and His teachings. Today, we have a dilemma, because there are many questions regarding the interpretation of the Scriptures. Many readers write to me with their own interpretation of the Scriptures. I tell them that I'm only a translator; but sometimes I give a different interpretation as a translator. A few people understand where I'm coming from; but most ignore what I say, and this is alright. Because the personal testimony of every individual is important. We are all born with certain traits and we have imperfections. The Scriptures don't change, but the interpretation of the Scriptures isn't supposed to be regulated by one person's translation or even of a church. Eashoa didn't send the Apostles to become dictators of the faith in His name.
So we find Christianity take on many different colors; the interpretations of the Scriptures become very different and sometimes contradictory.
Many people these days don't like the way they look; plastic surgery has become a big business, the advertising and hype have made it acceptable for people to change their look. Should we change the way we look or should we make the best of the way we are? It doesn't matter; the important thing is what we make of our lives. We have different ways of judging our looks; we are influenced by what society imposes on us. There are cultural differences and various trends. It's what each person, affected with their looks, makes of their appearance. If it enhances their perception of life, then it's alright to have surgery done to them. There are people who need corrective surgery; they're victims of crimes or accidents. The interpretation of who needs surgery or who doesn't is a personal preference or necessity. No one should be the arbiter of what is right; except what we have in our hearts.
The thing to remember is no matter how we change the way we look or the way we think, we're never going to be perfect. There is no such thing as perfection in this world. Many people think that a religion must be perfect and they end up very frustrated trying to explain their personal interpretation to others and forcing others to fit their image of what it is to be faithful.
As long as we understand that there is such a thing as personal testimony: every individual is required to believe in Eashoa and do their best to follow Him. We will always fail to some extent; however, the expectation is that we must never give up trying. In this way, our personal interpretation of the Law is going to be different; but the Law shall remain the same. There is an often quoted passage when Eashoa says, "I didn't come to abolish the Law, I came to fulfill it."
Paul writes a great deal about the way the Law should be interpreted. It is in what each individual is best suited for; we all have different qualities. In my opinion, everything falls under this rule: we must do the best we can with what we're given. The example is clear; Eashoa set the example. We will never equal Eashoa, but we must always endeavor to do our best, and He understands that; He has given us the Scriptures and He has given us the interpretation; He's put it in our hearts, and He continues to guide us at all times. We will not always succeed, but we must be humble and endeavor to succeed in doing His will.
Therefore, we shouldn't argue about the Scriptures, but we should try and understand them as best as we can. My job as a translator is to translate the Scriptures as best as I can. I provide as many footnotes as necessary to make it clear; however, the interpretation of the Scriptures must always be guided by a personal relationship with Eashoa. He came to the world and lived as a human being, so we can see a flesh and blood example. He also taught us many things through the writings of His disciples and apostles. We must never listen to people who try to force us into their own interpretation. There is no hierarchy in the interpretation of the Scriptures; Eashoa continues to guide us as we ask Him to do so. We must be willing to listen to Him at all times and do our best to do His will.
There is no field of knowledge outside of Eashoa's grasp, so whenever someone tells you that there are contradictions in the Scriptures or that science has discovered this and that, don't believe them. Everything can be discerned by asking Eashoa to help you. You can be as sophisticated as you want, or be as simple as you want, it's the same -- as long as you open up your heart and allow Eashoa to guide you in your thoughts and your prayers.
Eashoa (Jesus) is Lord; this is what it means. The Scriptures are there to introduce you to what He wants us to know; but He is the only One who can tell us how to live. This is what it means when He said, "I am the way, the truth and the Life." We can never be perfect, except after we're dead and if we have lived the life that Eashoa expects of each of us. When He resurrects us, we will know what perfection is all about. In this world, we will only experience the perfection in His love, through our forgiveness of each other's failings. We must always endeavor to do His will and to accept His teachings in a way that makes us worthy of His blessings and His love.
Jan. 9, 2012