A lot of people think that the changes in the modern Bible versions don't affect doctrine.
Mark 10 24 is a perfect example of a change that does affect the most important doctrine
of all, which is the doctrine of salvation.
Listen to Mark 10 24 in the King James Bible.
The disciples were astonished at his words, but Jesus answered at the Ganon and saith
unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom
of God?
Listen to the same verse in the NIV, Mark 10 24.
The disciples were amazed at his words, but Jesus said again, Children, how hard
it is to enter the kingdom of God.
What's missing?
Well, the King James Bible said that it is hard for them that trust in riches to
enter the kingdom of God.
Whereas the NIV simply said that it's just hard to enter the kingdom of God in general.
That is simply not true.
Salvation is not hard because Jesus did the hard part when he died and was buried
and rose again.
The Bible simply says that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal
life.
Salvation is a free gift.
How hard is it to receive a gift?
How hard is it to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and trust him alone for salvation?
It's not hard at all.
It's easy.
But if you're trusting in something else, that would be hard for you.
That's why the Bible said that it is hard for them that trust in riches to enter into
the kingdom of God.
They're used to trusting in themselves and relying on themselves and their wealth and
their ability to make money.
They don't usually have the humility to fully trust someone else, Jesus Christ, to
get them to heaven.
It takes a humble person to put all of their faith and trust in Christ, something that
rich people usually lack because they're used to trusting in themselves.
So it's hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God because he's trusting in
riches.
However, the NIV simply just says that it's just hard to enter into the kingdom
of God.
Well, if you believe that salvation is by works, if you believe that you have to earn
your way into heaven, then salvation would be hard.
But if you believe that salvation is by faith alone, then salvation is very easy.
So we see that this change makes a dramatic difference in how we view salvation.
Is salvation easy by simply believing on Christ, putting our faith and trust in Him,
believing on Him alone?
Or is salvation hard, something that we have to work for, something that we have to earn,
which is what the NIV is teaching in Mark 10-24, by simply saying that it's just hard
to enter into the kingdom of God.