How do we know what "truth" really is?

[TheyCallMeDave]

The bible is not a book to be taken as literal (fully). Like I said before and will say once more: "this is why spirituality is necessary." ..............

Jesus said Gods Word was the very essence of literal Truth and that not one jot or tittle of it will ever disappear . Jesus said HE was the literal WAY and the TRUTH and the direct/singular path to ETERNAL LIFE ... so that rules out any extraneous method including the practice of spirituality or religiousity , mans many devised ideas, or personal meritorious efforts . The equation is : Jesus Christ from start to finish. If you dont have Jesus and are trusting solely in him, then you need to ... and here is how you specifically and genuinely take God up on his free offer of salvation so you can make it to Heaven : Romans 10:8-12 NIV - But what does it say? “The word is - Bible Gateway

 

[amandatea]

The bible is not a book to be taken as literal (fully). Like I said before and will say once more: "this is why spirituality is necessary." Why I said you must not shave your beard (for an example) was to prove that if your going to take not tattooing the body as literal, than not saving your beard also applies. Read all the context before making such a claim.



I don't see how that is true? Prove to me of what your saying actually makes sense. The laws of the old testament must still apply then.

"Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style as well as a diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly presented by one than by another. And as several writers present a subject under varied aspects and relations, there may appear, to the superficial, careless, or prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or contradiction, where the thoughtful, reverent student, with clearer insight, discerns the underlying harmony.
​

As presented through different individuals, the truth brought out in its varied aspects. One writer is more strongly impressed with on phase of a subject; he grasps those points that harmonize with his experience or with his power of perception and appreciation; another seized upon a different phase; and each, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, presents what is more forcibly impressed upon his own mind; a different aspect of the truth in each, but a perfect harmony through all. And the truths thus revealed unite to form a perfect whole, adapted to meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life." - Introduction of The Great Controversy - E.G. White.

I just wanted to share this because I'm really tired of people claiming that Bible isn't true or isn't to be taken literally. If it weren't, it wouldn't be here. God is sovereign and He wrote the bible for a reason. There is a reason for everything that is in there and if something/someone is telling you that the Bible is untrue or not to be taken literally, they are not of God. It is a lie. Repent. Seek God to impress the truth upon your heart and mind. The Bible is our measurement - if something doesn't line up with it, it is a lie.
​

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

"Written in different ages, by men who differed widely in rank and occupation, and in mental and spiritual endowments, the books of the Bible present a wide contrast in style as well as a diversity in the nature of the subjects unfolded. Different forms of expression are employed by different writers; often the same truth is more strikingly presented by one than by another. And as several writers present a subject under varied aspects and relations, there may appear, to the superficial, careless, or prejudiced reader, to be discrepancy or contradiction, where the thoughtful, reverent student, with clearer insight, discerns the underlying harmony.
​

As presented through different individuals, the truth brought out in its varied aspects. One writer is more strongly impressed with on phase of a subject; he grasps those points that harmonize with his experience or with his power of perception and appreciation; another seized upon a different phase; and each, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, presents what is more forcibly impressed upon his own mind; a different aspect of the truth in each, but a perfect harmony through all. And the truths thus revealed unite to form a perfect whole, adapted to meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life." - Introduction of The Great Controversy - E.G. White.

I just wanted to share this because I'm really tired of people claiming that Bible isn't true or isn't to be taken literally. If it weren't, it wouldn't be here. God is sovereign and He wrote the bible for a reason. There is a reason for everything that is in there and if something/someone is telling you that the Bible is untrue or not to be taken literally, they are not of God. It is a lie. Repent. Seek God to impress the truth upon your heart and mind. The Bible is our measurement - if something doesn't line up with it, it is a lie.
​

Very true. There is allegory in the Bible but when the Reader comes across such, the Person knows not to take it in a literal sense . IE: God being a Tower of strength -- no one would logically conclude that God is a physical Tower standing some 150 feet high. What we can count on, is, the Bible is literally inerrant ... so...when Jesus says of himself in John 14:6 that he is the way, the truth, and eternal life...we can take his literal claim about himself as the absolute truth. Same for him being mankinds final Judge, mankinds Redeemer, Heaven and Hell being real, and there being no other way to reach Heaven as Acts 4:12 specifically denotes.

 

[amandatea]

Very true. There is allegory in the Bible but when the Reader comes across such, the Person knows not to take it in a literal sense . IE: God being a Tower of strength -- no one would logically conclude that God is a physical Tower standing some 150 feet high. What we can count on, is, the Bible is literally inerrant ... so...when Jesus says of himself in John 14:6 that he is the way, the truth, and eternal life...we can take his literal claim about himself as the absolute truth. Same for him being mankinds final Judge, mankinds Redeemer, Heaven and Hell being real, and there being no other way to reach Heaven as Acts 4:12 specifically denotes.

Right. There is definitely a lot of symbolism in the Bible which we must ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to understand - and that is also where using the entire Bible as a comprehensive study in itself is so important. We have to use the tool of Biblical context. But it's ALL in there. If you take the time to study and you have the humble and correct intention and purpose of understanding it, the Holy Spirit WILL guide you. God wants us to know the truth - why would He hide that from us? He doesn't lie. To say the Bible is not true or is not to be taken literally is a lie. I'm sick of hearing it, especially from professed Christians. It makes me sick.

 

[The Fire Rises]

Right. There is definitely a lot of symbolism in the Bible which we must ask the Holy Spirit to teach us to understand - and that is also where using the entire Bible as a comprehensive study in itself is so important. We have to use the tool of Biblical context. But it's ALL in there. If you take the time to study and you have the humble and correct intention and purpose of understanding it, the Holy Spirit WILL guide you. God wants us to know the truth - why would He hide that from us? He doesn't lie. To say the Bible is not true or is not to be taken literally is a lie. I'm sick of hearing it, especially from professed Christians. It makes me sick.

Most of the proffessed christians I've encountered who have these doubts/concerns seem to be new and struggling christians. I think we need to have more patience with them. After all, how can we expect them to know or understand as much as we do if we've been studying for months or years?

While I agree with you in that we need to treat God's Word as just that - God's Word - I can sympathize with the other side of this as well. We live in a society, in a world that focuses on the physical - material possessions, things we can touch, smell, taste, see. It's no wonder that it's difficult for some people to believe in some things like the talking snake, the flaming sword, the great flood. Especially when science constantly tells them to think otherwise. We need to gently guide them and show them WHY the Bible is true, rather than just telling them that they're wrong.

I'm thinking about starting a separate thread for just this issue, cause I don't want to de-rail this one with a random side-topic. I think there's a lot of potential for some good discussion about this. Anyways, hope everyone's having a great day.

Blessings

 

[amandatea]

Most of the proffessed christians I've encountered who have these doubts/concerns seem to be new and struggling christians. I think we need to have more patience with them. After all, how can we expect them to know or understand as much as we do if we've been studying for months or years?

While I agree with you in that we need to treat God's Word as just that - God's Word - I can sympathize with the other side of this as well. We live in a society, in a world that focuses on the physical - material possessions, things we can touch, smell, taste, see. It's no wonder that it's difficult for some people to believe in some things like the talking snake, the flaming storm, the great flood. Especially when science constantly tells them to think to otherwise. We need to gently guide them and show them WHY the Bible is true, rather than just telling them that they're wrong.

I'm thinking about starting a separate thread for just this issue, cause I don't want to de-rail this one with a random side-topic. I think there's a lot of potential for some good discussion about. Anyways, hope everyone' have a great day.

Blessings

I totally agree - Don't take my posts as anger with Christians or other people. It's out of love that I say these things. It makes me sick to see so many people so deceived by Satan. I was there too... I was just about gone a year and a half ago, but Jesus came and found me. I in no way see myself as any better than anyone else. The only reason I'm any different than anyone else is because I accept His offer, because I had the desire to live and to find the truth.


I appreciate the post though and I agree about another thread for this discussion. <3

 

[The Fire Rises]

I totally agree - Don't take my posts as anger with Christians or other people. It's out of love that I say these things. It makes me sick to see so many people so deceived by Satan. I was there too... I was just about gone a year and a half ago, but Jesus came and found me. I in no way see myself as any better than anyone else. The only reason I'm any different than anyone else is because I accept His offer, because I had the desire to live and to find the truth.


I appreciate the post though and I agree about another thread for this discussion. <3

Well said, my friend.

About a half hear ago I was on the verge of falling into darkness, which was when I realized I was utterly broken as a human being. I could either fall over the edge, or take grasp of Christ's hand that he was reaching out to me with.

Sometimes, God lets us get so low that we're forced to look up.

 

[PaxThroughX]

ugh and I am tired of people who ignore what the other person says. Even if it is true or not. I am done here.

 

[hlaltimus]

I find myself struggling with this topic quite frequently. It is said that when one truly loves God, the Spirit will guide said person with wisdom and understanding. Or at least that's what I've always been taught. However, I have witnessed many different types of people who have sought God literally their whole lives (and seemingly love God with their all) and come to completely different stances on how the Bible should be interpreted. How are we supposed to know the difference between "truth" and "error" when so many God-loving people seem to have such different views? Sometimes I honestly feel like it's a lottery. This is during my doubtful periods of course. Please feel free to be open and honest on this topic

Of one thing you can be certain: A lie can and eventually will be unraveled, but truth....never. Police detectives have know this for ages, and commonly employ this discriminating principle as a means of sifting through their nest of collected and deceptive lies in order to determine just what the truth really is. 2+2=5 must inevitably fall before 2+2=4, and how could it possibly be otherwise?

Whatever the truth really is, it must be something which will stand up to the most severe of testings, and yet imerge unscathed. Battle, kick, shove, pull, blast and harass as you will against the simple computation of 2+2=4, you cannot in this or in any other world unseat absolute truth. So by means of application, the truth must be something which will endure our minute world of time and space and hold just as true in the afterlife as it does in this one.

When they marched the martyrs to their deaths amidst the flames of Christian persecution, some of them clapped their hands for joy. Others forgave their tormentors in a most uncommon act of love. Many actually preferred their deaths as opposed to embracing a single, solitary, unbiblical lie, they so very devoutly holding to the commonly held traditional Christian convictions of the Holy Scriptures, they choosing rather to perish than embrace one falsehood which carelessly spurned the opinions of the God who had gone through so very much trouble to save them through belief of that one, peerless and priceless book.

When you study the Word of God, accept it's plain teachings independent of your mental reconciliation or perfect understanding to other biblical truths, walk fearlessly in sujection to those truths, and yet stand intact and undisturbed as the world, (and worse yet,) the powers of hell seek to destroy you, you have found the truth. If all of hell's fiery wiles cannot destroy those beliefs that sent early believers to their deaths in perfect peace and joy, you have found something so unalterably solid that it will await you upon the shores of glory. If it stands up under the fire here, it will in that world too. It is merely a principle that I state and nothing more.

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

Most of the proffessed christians I've encountered who have these doubts/concerns seem to be new and struggling christians. I think we need to have more patience with them. After all, how can we expect them to know or understand as much as we do if we've been studying for months or years?

While I agree with you in that we need to treat God's Word as just that - God's Word - I can sympathize with the other side of this as well. We live in a society, in a world that focuses on the physical - material possessions, things we can touch, smell, taste, see. It's no wonder that it's difficult for some people to believe in some things like the talking snake, the flaming sword, the great flood. Especially when science constantly tells them to think otherwise. We need to gently guide them and show them WHY the Bible is true, rather than just telling them that they're wrong.

I'm thinking about starting a separate thread for just this issue, cause I don't want to de-rail this one with a random side-topic. I think there's a lot of potential for some good discussion about this. Anyways, hope everyone's having a great day.

Blessings

Most of the professed Christians ive encountered have been swayed by extreme fringe Groups like The Jesus Seminar 'scholars' as well as secular evolutionary thought which is an affront to it if the Bible is to be taken literally ; so they espouse the Bible as not literal and only fictional stories presented so we can see what we can learn from them -- Jesus himself didnt think they were just stories and in fact talked about the O.T. and the record of creation, the flood, Moses and his travels, Jonah being in the stomach of a big fish, et al...as actual history and literal events that occured. Its sad how some professing Christians bandy the Bible about as if its just fiction . There is alot of biblical illiteracy in Christian Circles today.

 

[Eloy]

"Pilate says to him, What is truth?...Iesous says to him, I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life: no human comes to The Father, except by me. I am come Light to the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness."

 

[wmpratt]

For me I have one option, and that's take the bible literally and realize God would not lie to you, If you're faced with problems, you look for the bible for answers, I find the people who interpret some parts differently are seriously trying to find ways to continue a specific way of life

ex: drinking, masturbating, tattoo's... Those are some controversial, I just stick to what Jesus did, and from my knowledge he did none of these things (He drank wine, not sure if there was alcohol) but yeah that's my opinion.

That's very cynical

I believe you should look toward God. The Bible is just a tool and subject to mans lack of understanding.

 

[TheyCallMeDave]

That's very cynical

I believe you should look toward God. The Bible is just a tool and subject to mans lack of understanding.

No...when you look toward The Bible you ARE looking toward God since Jesus who claimed and proved himself to be God said the Bible IS the inerrant Word of God plus the Bible says of itself that it is useful in correcting and training up a man of righteousness in the way he should go / that the Bible was given by God so a person could know the absolute truth which will set that man free / that the Bible will be the source of judgement for all men / that it is indestructible, will never fade away, and will never let you down because it is pure divine wisdom .

The Bible was given by God for all people of all generations to read it, absorb it, understand it..and is not just for the trained Scholar or Clergyman .

It is People who mold The Bible to their own liking often based on impure personal motives / or they give the excuse that its not understandable because theyve already made up their Mind that they dont want its influence. Therefore, it is People who have a lack of understanding about God which sadly , is a deliberate volitional choice .

 

[The Fire Rises]

Most of the professed Christians ive encountered have been swayed by extreme fringe Groups like The Jesus Seminar 'scholars' as well as secular evolutionary thought which is an affront to it if the Bible is to be taken literally ; so they espouse the Bible as not literal and only fictional stories presented so we can see what we can learn from them -- Jesus himself didnt think they were just stories and in fact talked about the O.T. and the record of creation, the flood, Moses and his travels, Jonah being in the stomach of a big fish, et al...as actual history and literal events that occured. Its sad how some professing Christians bandy the Bible about as if its just fiction . There is alot of biblical illiteracy in Christian Circles today.

Yep

 

[wmpratt]

No...when you look toward The Bible you ARE looking toward God since Jesus who claimed and proved himself to be God said the Bible IS the inerrant Word of God plus the Bible says of itself that it is useful in correcting and training up a man of righteousness in the way he should go / that the Bible was given by God so a person could know the absolute truth which will set that man free / that the Bible will be the source of judgement for all men / that it is indestructible, will never fade away, and will never let you down because it is pure divine wisdom .

The Bible was given by God for all people of all generations to read it, absorb it, understand it..and is not just for the trained Scholar or Clergyman .

It is People who mold The Bible to their own liking often based on impure personal motives / or they give the excuse that its not understandable because theyve already made up their Mind that they dont want its influence. Therefore, it is People who have a lack of understanding about God which sadly , is a deliberate volitional choice .

There's just one problem. The Bible we know today did not exist in the time of Jesus. There are also many gospels and other writings from the time of Jesus and earlier that didn’t make it into our modern bible. Our modern sensibilities can (often do) skew our understanding of scripture. Sometimes understanding context and culture of the time of a particular verse can make all the difference.


While I have no doubt there’s many benefits to the scriptures in the Bible I think there’s a danger of elevating it to a status it was never meant to have.

 

[amandatea]

...... There are also many gospels and other writings from the time of Jesus and earlier that didn&#8217;t make it into our modern bible. Our modern sensibilities can (often do) skew our understanding of scripture. Sometimes understanding context and culture of the time of a particular verse can make all the difference.

Um, are you 100% sure about that? Have you read those other "gospels" yourself or are you just believing what others tell you? I've read part of the book of Mary - and it was trying to say that Mary was born of immaculate conception. Does that line up with GOD's word? No. That kind of thinking completely changes the meaning of who was who. Mary was a servant of God who was humble and loved God. She was honored to serve the heavenly Father by birthing and raising Jesus. But when you make implications that Mary was of immaculate conception, who does that make her? Think about it.

Anyway - Do you really think - use some good ole' logic here - that God, the Almighty, Omniscient Creator of everything that exists and who loves us and wants us to at least have a chance to choose the truth would sit there and watch supposed true books of the bible be hidden? C'mon. God doesn't play games. If it were meant to be in the Bible, it would be in the Bible. He is sovereign and has power over what happens here - He doesn't force His will onto us because He loves us, but if you look at all of the amazing stories in the bible, or even current living people's testimonies -mine included - you can clearly see that He is in control and He does what is good for HIS GLORY. He would not just sit there and let a bunch of supposed essential books that were supposed to be in the Bible remain secret. That is a blatant lie from Satan and his minions and it is as easy to see as the nose on your face, if you will admit it.

While I have no doubt there&#8217;s many benefits to the scriptures in the Bible I think there&#8217;s a danger of elevating it to a status it was never meant to have.

Then you need to spend more time reading it and reflecting on it, asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and show you the truth. The Bible is the testimony of God about the Messiah, Jesus. That is what it is supposed to be and that is what it is.

 

[amandatea]

Well said, my friend.

About a half hear ago I was on the verge of falling into darkness, which was when I realized I was utterly broken as a human being. I could either fall over the edge, or take grasp of Christ's hand that he was reaching out to me with.

Sometimes, God lets us get so low that we're forced to look up.

Yeah, I still think about it a lot and it amazes me how close I was to possible eternal death. I am so thankful for where I am today. I don't understand how people can take it for granted. It is the most precious gift we could possibly ever receive.

This song is how I feel about the Lord. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft4igTdvpPM

 

[yellowfree]

God told me the truth was my identity
"I told you the truth" "Identity"

eg as He is, so are we in this world
you are just as good as Jesus

see 1 John 4:17
2 Corinthians 5:21

I was possibly just waking up in the morning, when I saw and/or heard this:
The truth shall not set you free until there is a hope that never ends

now what is that everlasting hope we have..? I pray God I know what it is so that I can fully rest in my identity given to me in Christ.

I think it has to do with the gift of righteousness. Romans 5:15-21 everlasting righteousness Daniel 9:24


I honestly don't feel qualified and I guess rightly so to teach the way to freedom if I have not fully entered it myself but I can tell you what I've heard and direct you to people who are currently living it.


In a dream I had been in the back of a car the sky (daytime or dawn I think ) was of golden color not actual gold but golden color and I think I was hearing a male voice narrating what was in a book I had opened. He said at the end something something like "and so therefore you are forgiven forever"
literally when I heard it and received it in the dream the world I once new past away moved out of view, my world changed in the dream and I went flying out of the car into the sky and it seemed like as if I was a new person.. my identity changed (I saw myself differently) I was happy

I woke up and literally had peace in my heart.. Now I want you guys to realize that I did not really know peace ( despite having been in a relationship with Christ for years I was not secure or certain about future)..but there was this sort of peace held in my heart ..

From what I remember I heard I believe the Holy Spirit say something like "This is life"
I think the world looked different too when I woke up, like different hue. I remember going into the kitchen

Sadly though at the time I did not understand how this could be so I was not so sure about being forgiven forever and the peace left and the drab world as I had always known it faded or came back into view..

I had learned to know be of the mindset of just insecure about being saved at the end.I guess I just did not know how we are suppose to start from and walk from victory.


Now that I think of it is exactly what Paul was likely talking about in

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.


I am still not established in the truth and have not felt totally secure because as I said my understanding is not as clear..

even now I need to take certain steps so I can know
eg be small ( receiving and believing I am valuable and of great worth to God), not thinking God is angry with me , and other instructions I believe I've been given from Him.

I know some people may not be secure as concerning eternal life but I want you guys to know that God has given us what we need ( for example, grace) to win in the end.
I am not even sure if I am saying it right. ..I think I am suppose to start seeing it it from the perspective that it is already done. finished.

Romans 6:14 (ESV)
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 6:14 (ESV)
14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 5:21 (ESV)
21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

John 4:10
English Standard Version (ESV)
10 Jesus answered her, &#8220;If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, &#8216;Give me a drink,&#8217; you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.&#8221;


John 4:13-14 ESV)
13 Jesus said to her, &#8220;Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again.[a] The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.&#8221;

Footnotes:
John 4:14 Greek forever



there are chapters in the Book of Romans that are very important concerning important truths about our victory over sin in Christ

such as Romans 6-8

But anyway
learn from people who are free Listen to their testimonies , this could help you.
Learn about the difference between being under law and being under grace.
Learn about the gift of righteousness
Learn these from people who are walking in this victory.

Check out Dan Mohler, and Todd White,

I honestly don't feel qualified and I guess rightly so to teach the way to freedom if I have not fully entered it myself but I can tell you what I've heard and direct you to people who are currently living it.

Also check out James B. Richards ( Jim Richards)
he has a website-Impact Ministries with free mp3s and books that could help
I don't want to under emphasize how important his book Grace:the Power to change is helpful

I am not sure about everything Joseph Prince teaches but nevertheless since he has testimony I would check him out. I first learned about grace from him.

remember who is forgiven much ,loves much Luke 7:36-50
its obvious the Lord does not want us to continue in sin.
But I want us to have the confidence faith and hope that we'll make it and have what we need to make it in the end

 

[yellowfree]

Ok so actually browsed a bit through the thread..

I think we should keep it simple first
here are some verses that sums up what God wants us to do.

Mark 12:28-31 ESV
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, &#8220;Which commandment is the most important of all?&#8221; 29 Jesus answered, &#8220;The most important is, &#8216;Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.&#8217; 31 The second is this: &#8216;You shall love your neighbor as yourself.&#8217; There is no other commandment greater than these.&#8221;


Luke 10:25-38
New King James Version (NKJV)
25 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, &#8220;Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?&#8221;

26 He said to him, &#8220;What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?&#8221;

27 So he answered and said, &#8220; &#8216;You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,&#8217; and &#8216;your neighbor as yourself.&#8217;&#8221;

28 And He said to him, &#8220;You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.&#8221;

29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, &#8220;And who is my neighbor?&#8221;

30 Then Jesus answered and said: &#8220;A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 34 So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, &#8216;Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.&#8217; 36 So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?&#8221;

37 And he said, &#8220;He who showed mercy on him.&#8221;
Then Jesus said to him, &#8220;Go and do likewise.&#8221;

(check out Romans 8:1-5,11-12)

Matthew 7:12 ESV
12&#8220;So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.


Micah 6:8 ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

There are several other verses that reiterate this main focus concept of love

I also want to point out that most importantly
that instead of focusing so much on rules
..that we should put more focus on the inner man..our heart..our mindset
because if the inner man is not right, he is not going to be able to bear good fruit.
He won't be able to
I mean the best he could do some good works but it wouldn't be real or sincere I think

Think are we exhibiting love joy peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness..etc

Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Think about what Jesus says
Matthew 12:33-38 (NKJV)
33 &#8220;Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. 34 Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.&#8221;

Matthew 23:25-26
25 &#8220;Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.

look at that. He calls the Pharisee blind. Why do you think that is?
You can read the Mark 7:1-23


what is coming outside of the heart that matters a lot..

They should rather focus on getting the inside clean then outside of the cup will be clean also

I mean think about the fruit of the spirit

Think of
New creations in Christ -2 Cor. 5:17
Gal 3:26 ESV
For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith.
Circumcision of heart- Colossians 2:11

Remember God is seeking those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth
truth to me means actual deed works. while spirit here means to me the inner man and/or
the attitude the person hold
( an example , this reminds me of a person doing dead works as opposed to having faith towards God see Hebrews 6:1,Hebrews 9:14)

John 4:23-24
23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.&#8221;

God wants our hearts and minds to be of the right spirit
do you see that? It is faith, believing in Jesus Christ that makes the difference between a person with a good heart and a bad heart.

many or some of us just really need to get our mind renewed ( do you see that word mind that has to do with what's going on inside) so that we can be transformed.

Romans 12:2 ESV
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

I think this has in part to do with seeing who were in Christ
2 Cor 3:17-18
2 Corinthians 3:17-18
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Now the Lord[a] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (ESV)
17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Knowing who we are in Christ is important.
instead of thinking about do this, do that..

think about hope faith love..inner qualities
a carnal mindset is not going to produce good fruit
I mean think about it is a person with evil thoughts, full of fear doubt and going to have the fruit of love joy peace ,and the rest of the fruit of the spirit?
Doesn't just the thought of that sound weird..?

I know I need my heart to be in right place of faith.
I recommend getting Joyce Meyer's book Battlefield of the mind.
She knows how to simply state how vital it is our minds be renewed so true positive change can occur in our lives.

I remember one time hearing
"stop trying..Be"

Knowing who I am in Christ is a vital part of this "being"

I've heard about how
"being" is important and should come first.
out "being" you are able to do good works

I think I can see why Jesus is "the truth"

Christ in us will produce true righteousness.(...not some of works that are man made rules attempts to conjur up a form of righteousness that is insincere, hypocritical, acting)

Look at this verse

Ephesians 4:20-24 (ESV)
20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!&#8212; 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

do you see that putting on the new self ( good tree)
true righteousness and holiness

also another verse

do you see how Paul talks in terms of new self vs old self ( new person vs old person)
( bad tree vs good tree) ?

its a matter of "being" a new person Christ in us.
God made us new person in Christ.

obviously God wants to strengthen the inner man
in our lives here on earth which will involve trial and the like but its so we can become established more in our faith
Check Romans 5:1-8
James 1:2-4
1 Peter 5:6-10
Hebrews 12:1-13

Also check out
Romans 8:12-17

Ephesians 3:16 ESV
that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,

Philippians 4:13 ESV
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Colossians 1:11 ESV
May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,

2 Timothy 2:1 ESV
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus,


Hebrews 13:9
Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, which have not benefited those devoted to them.

 

[yellowfree]

here are some other verses too about the inner life and/or soul , spirit..
( Can someone on here distinguish between soul and spirit..?)

Ezekiel 36:25-27 (ESV)
25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

Ezekiel 11:18-20 (ESV)
18 And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. 19 And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 20 that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

Ezekiel 18:30-32 (ESV)
30 &#8220;Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.

Jeremiah 31:31-34(ESV)
31 &#8220;Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, 32 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, though I was their husband, declares the Lord. 33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, &#8216;Know the Lord,&#8217; for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.&#8221;

Hebrews 10:15-17 (ESV)
15 And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying,

16 &#8220;This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws on their hearts,
and write them on their minds,&#8221;
17 then he adds,

&#8220;I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.&#8221;

Hebrews 8:8-11 (ESV)
8 For he finds fault with them when he says:[a]

&#8220;Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah,
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers
on the day when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they did not continue in my covenant,
and so I showed no concern for them, declares the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel
after those days, declares the Lord:
I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, &#8216;Know the Lord,&#8217;
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.

Footnotes:
Hebrews 8:8 Some manuscripts For finding fault with it he says to them