The revisable edition

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable .. . for instruction in righteousness.— 2 Timothy 3:16

Randall Peterson, a retired autoworker, thinks there could be an interest for a new kind of Bible. He sarcastically says that a publisher ought to create an electronic Bible that would allow for editing from the pew. That way individuals and churches could make the Bible say what they want it to say. He says it could be called the “LAME” Bible: “Locally Adaptive Multifaith Edition” and “could be sold to any church regardless of what it believes.”

He’s joking, of course, but we might be tempted by such a product. Jesus gives us some hard teachings! As believers, our desire is to be obedient to Him in our choices and attitudes, but at times we resist the Word of God and may wish we could soften His commands.

Some of Jesus’ hard teachings are found in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 5, He says: “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (v. 44). That’s what He tells us to do, so we know we can’t just delete it. We need to apply it to our personal situation with the Holy Spirit’s enablement.

God’s Word is to be obeyed by His people. We’re the ones who need to be “revised” — not the Scriptures. — Anne Cetas

The laws of God are true and right;

They stand as firm today

As when He put them in His Word

And told us to obey. — Fasick

READ: Matthew 5:43-48

To love God is to obey God.