Thank you .30Carbine. You are very kind in trying to find goodness even in failure to stand firm. +Jude reminds us to be merciful to those who doubt (cf Jude 1:22). Even the Lord reminds that we should seek in order to find (cf Mat 7:7). Even the Apostles doubted in the presence of the Lord.
Doubt comes whenever human hands and human words are used to account for something. Blanket acceptance of human works is foolish. Even Satan can perform miracles.
Trouble is, the Scriptures have been touched and altered by so many hands and no originals exist to compare our copies to, that one can never assume and believe fully that any verse in the Bible has been there from the beginning.
Is the Holy Spirit a real entity or NOT?.. Jesus left the Holy Spirit in charge for something, WHAT?.. Has the Holy Spirit been drugged by the devil or despirited or is he a myth?..
What exactly is the Holy Spirits job if he does exist?.. according to you.. a gofer?.. what?.. I ask this honestly not with guile.. O.K. with a little guile..
I confess there are versions that are less accurate than others - this new gender-neutral stuff, for instance - and even some new 'gospels' out there that purport to be of the same nature as that preserved through the ages by the Church, the Body of Christ moved by His Power, which we call The Bible. That imposters exist does not negate the original. That the original is called impostor does not negate its nature. I delight that as a daughter of the Kingdom of God and blessed to be a citizen of these United States I have multiple versions of Scripture to read and compare, that I may truly digest all the words God intended from me to have. He has a message to convey.
This post between you and I serves as an example: I could now transcribe this post to you using varying words or phrases and still make the same message plain to you - communicating to your mind what is on my mind. At the same time a devilish impostor could come along and take what I’ve said and twist it, altering what my intended communication to you really is. Because you and I don't know each other very well you might not know the difference. That would be a shame, but not a deadly one.
Because Christ and I now share the same mind via His Holy Spirit, I recognize His Words and those that have been twisted for just exactly what they are. It could be no other way. If I didn’t know Christ as intimately as a beloved bride knows her husband, had never heard His ‘voice’ so sweetly, tenderly calling my name and declaring His love for me with a multitude of promises and rewards, this could not be - I would have no reference for discernment. It is a deadly shame that men will twist the Word of God and so cause men who have not heard His voice to stumble. Jesus made a big deal out of that with the Pharisees (Matthew 24 comes to mind). Men do this either by supplanting the truth with imitations, or else by lying about the truth itself. Deadly error.
Praise God, I do know Him, I have heard His voice, and I know that I know that I know that the Word of God is His, through and through. It is His love letter to me. I eat it with my hands and heart and eyes and mouth! It is alive in me and gives me life. When I speak it as He directs me (we share a common purpose) I pass on that life to others. I am a very blessed girl that way, all because Jesus came for me, He called my name, He gave me His words of our covenant and the keys to open them up to my understanding like jewel boxes - this Love in Spirit and in Truth. It doesn't get any better than that.