There is only one interpretation that is correct. This is expressed in words that state: I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father except through me, therefore, without me you can do nothing, other than die in your sins.
Everybody interprets the world in which they live according to their own understanding. This is why atheists make absurd claims about the Creator not existing and insist that everyone ought to have a belief in something that happened millions of years ago, even though they have no proof. And don’t they remonstrate in vain—not having the power to overcome death.
If we are honest, we acknowledge that we first need to know something exists before we can understand that which we have come to have knowledge of existing. Without knowledge, we cannot understand; nor can we apply any wisdom in our lives.
Wisdom is "understood knowledge" applied to the benefit of the individual.
The Bible teaches (regardless of what version used) that those who obtain wisdom love themselves, and the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, which is the hatred of evil.
Any interpretation of the Bible that does not acknowledge that the Old Testament bears witness to Jesus Christ is false, as the Scripture states.
- You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me; yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:39-40 - RSV)
- You search and investigate and pore over the Scriptures diligently, because you suppose and trust that you have eternal life through them. And these [very Scriptures] testify about Me! And still you are not willing [but refuse] to come to Me, so that you might have life. (AMPC)
Unless a person recognizes the evil in the world, and abhors participating in it, then that person is not interested in knowing Lord Jesus Christ. The person might do the self-righteous thing and learn all manner of doctrines and philosophy, but actually seeking out Lord Jesus Christ so that one can be baptized in the promised Holy Spirit, such an individual is too proud to be humble. Instead, the person will attempt to demonstrate superiority of knowledge by arrogantly making unwarranted claims of expertise, or by appealing to others who know more but are like-minded.
Ironically, some people do good works in the hope that, by so doing, they might earn their salvation rather than simply seek out the Only Person ever to have risen from the dead.
Then there are those who think they are saved, because they have been baptized in water, and do good works to demonstrate to everybody that they are saved and part of the elect, even though they do not know the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ and have not been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Why the need for the Holy Spirit?
Jesus said that the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Truth, will teach the truth to those who receive Him and walk in the way of Holiness.
- But when the Counselor comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness to me. John 15:26
- When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13)
- And by this we may be sure that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He who says “I know him” but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps his word, in him truly love for God is perfected. By this we may be sure that we are in him: he who says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:3-6)
There is only one interpretation of the Bible that is the right one. This is where the truth of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ is evidenced in the life of the person who claims to be a Christian, and the person is bearing witness to this fact, by walking in the same manner as their Savior walked.
Those who love doing their evil deeds, do not understand the fear of the Lord and, therefore, cannot possibly possess wisdom, no matter what they say.
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