Christian Living

THE TROUBLED WATER

by paul hoffmaster
09/01/19
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There are so many “hashtags” on Christianity that the intent of the Scriptures is seldom adhered to.  Instead of complying with the content of the Word, a “hashtag” is followed that so often leads to extra-Biblical interpretation.  One of the “hashtags” is financial abundance.  The “financial” sowing principle is presented with the intent that the more you give, the more you will be rewarded monetarily.  Many of the Scriptures that are used to support financial growth are taken out of context.  The seekers of abundance abound with a hopefulness that through their actions will be the greater potential for “green” growth.  There are many “hashtags” that draw people away from Biblical growth.  This is not something new.   For generations, people have pursued invitations that would cater to their fleshly desires.  Books have been written that flout carnal truths in which people lay out their dollars to acquire those “new revelations.”   In some cases these books are read more than the Bible.  It is sorrowfully apparent that works have overtaken Faith as the ingredient to a successful Christian life.  Whenever the “waters” of the Christian Faith are stirred up, you will find multitudes of Believers anxious to get involved.  In John chapter five, the incident at the pool of Bethesda is an example of how misdirected teachings can influence the lives of so many.  

The area around the pool of Bethesda was crowded with people seeking to be delivered from a plethora of physical challenges.   It seems that a “hashtag” attached to the Jewish faith was that healing could be achieved by entering the pool as soon as an angel had stirred the water.  The catch was that only the first person to enter the pool would be healed, all the others would have to wait for the next “troubling of the water.”  One day Jesus walked by the pool and saw the “great multitude” that was in anticipation mode.  There was one man there who had an infirmity for over thirty-eight years.  When Jesus saw him He simply asked him, “Wilt thou be made whole?”  Jesus knew that the story of an angel going into the pool and troubling the water was simply a fable that had caused many afflicted individuals to place their hope in an unfounded belief.   The man told Jesus that he wanted to be healed, but he had no one to put him into the pool when the angel troubled the water.  Jesus simply told him “to rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”  He was saying that instead of putting his hope in an unfounded traditional teaching; accept what He was offering him.  (John 5:1-15)

It is interesting to note that many translations do not acknowledge the ending of verse 3 and all of verse 4 of chapter 5, yet they keep verse 7 in place.  We know that God would not make achieving healing a competition between afflicted people.  I am convinced that many translations have been influenced by translators who tended to convey their own Scriptural bias.  Have you ever wondered why there are so many Biblical manuscripts?  I am not saying that the KJV is the closest interpretation of the New Testament manuscripts, but in this case, I believe the KJV drew from the right one.  I hesitate to make this statement, but I believe the human spirit has played a role in translations!  It is imperative that the Holy Spirit has an active part in the translating. 

Every Believer must be aware of “hashtags” that would lead one away from the Word of God.  The safest road traveled is the road that leads through Jesus.  Follow His example and you won’t be sitting around the pool of Bethesda waiting for the fulfillment of a false teaching.