Does God really require anything of us?

Brother_Don · Jun 22, 2013

i believe God does require certain things for us to live happy, healthy, prosperous lives. The book of proverbs has a lot of do's, and dont's, do this and that will happen don't do that and that won't happen. i have found in my life, trying to live up to the Word, has not been all peaches and cream, but i do the best i can, and live a pretty comfortable life. God does not break promises, if God said it you can believe it.

bomba · Jun 22, 2013

I often read others opinions on the subjects of this website, and the fact's is that that's what it's our opinions. Which I'm not trying to down anyone at all. It's that at times it makes it hard to know what's right, and what's wrong in some of these areas. I do know though that I have a great many family, and friends that're either pastors, or preachers of churches, and I say churches because they're not of the same dominations, or religions if you may want to say. So I hear many different versions on how the scriptures are defined. I mean we are all reading the same words of the same verses, but everyone always seems to disagree on certain ones. I'm not saying one is right, and the other is wrong, because it's not for me to judge, but I do believe that when I read that some of those on these sites say that we have to be perfect. I can't help, but disagree, because I see, and hear that when one of us say that this's the truth, while, another says that one certain thing is the truth while another says. that something else other then that's the truth, then that shows that none of us is perfect. That we are only human, and that we all make mistakes. Although thanks to God despite our mistakes he still loves us, and will always love us.

resurrection33 · Jun 23, 2013

just-us-2 said:

A look at scripture would say He does.

“And now,Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the Lord, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good.” (Deuteronomy 10:12-13)
“He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8) or as it is translated directly from the original writings: "Human being, you have already been told what is good, what ADONAI demands of you - no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God."

If we want to love God with all of our being, which is required, we will respect greatly His will and do it, because that is what is in our hearts. That entails searching the scriptures in order to understand His requirements, including the law and the prophets, which those that really believe are not under. If we truly love God as we ought to, we will earnestly want to put ourselves under the requirements of our Lord God because we desire His companionship. If we are not subject to these things, there is no companionship in love, and He will say to us at judgment day, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

Matthew 7:21-23~~ “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Why does this thought not scare the daylights (or in reality, the "darkness") out of Christians today even if they don’t want to obey God out of love for Him?

Amen .

john832 · Jun 24, 2013

haz said:

The end of the Law huh? What is the word for end here?

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Let's see if that word "τέλος", Strongs G5056, is used anywhere else...

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

The word for end here is "τέλος" also. so if you want to use "τέλος" as in the complete cessation, or the obliteration of, then try substituting it here in verse 9...

"Receiving the obliteration of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Make good sense does it? Even more interesting is if you use obliteration in place of end here...

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Let's do the substitution trick again...

Jas 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the obliteration of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Now that really is ridiculous. The usage of "τέλος" depends on the context. Paul in this very same book says this...

Rom 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

So does he establish the Law and then a few paragraphs later obliterate it? (Remember there were no chapter and verse separations when this was written, it was written as a continuous letter.)

So, what does this word end really mean?

end:

G5056
τέλος
telos
tel'-os
From a primary word τέλλω tellō (to set out for a definite point or goal); properly the point aimed at as a limit, that is, (by implication) the conclusion of an act or state (termination [literally, figuratively or indefinitely], result [immediate, ultimate or prophetic], purpose); specifically an impost or levy (as paid): - + continual, custom, end (-ing), finally, uttermost. Compare G5411.

G5056
τέλος
telos
Thayer Definition:
1) end
1a) termination, the limit at which a thing ceases to be (always of the end of some act or state, but not of the end of a period of time)
1b) the end
1b1) the last in any succession or series
1b2) eternal
1c) that by which a thing is finished, its close, issue
1d) the end to which all things relate, the aim, purpose
2) toll, custom (i.e. indirect tax on goods)
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from a primary tello (to set out for a definite point or goal)
Citing in TDNT: 8:49, 1161

Christ is the goal, the point of aim and the Law points to that.

john832 · Jun 24, 2013

just-us-2 said:

Isa 42:21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

honourable:

H142
אדר
'âdar
aw-dar
A primitive root; to expand, that is, be great or (figuratively) magnificent: - (become) glorious, honourable.

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.

And how does He do that?

What about the sixth Commandment?

Mat 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
Mat 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Mat 5:23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Mat 5:24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Mat 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Mat 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

How about the seventh?

Mat 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Mat 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Mat 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Mat 5:31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Mat 5:32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Christ magnifies the Law in Mat 5, 6 and 7 and throught the Gospels and shows us the spiritual meaning of the Commandments.

HeRoseFromTheDead · Jun 24, 2013

john832 said:

And once a goal is reached, there is no use for that which was used to achieve the goal.

john832 · Jun 24, 2013

HeRoseFromTheDead said:

OK, when will that be achieved?

Col 2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
Col 2:17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Paul said the fulfillment is yet to come.

Powemm · Jun 25, 2013

The goal, the mark, has already been achieved .. as it written.
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, (("It is finished."))With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

RickShafer · Jun 25, 2013

Here we go again.
Isn't this getting tiresome?
Something about faith in there........in the one who has no sin.
Something else about a 'comforter', that would stick closer to us than a best friend or a brother.......

"Oh, something about these Biblical teachings,.....so hard to discern!" - (I speak as a fool)

The truth is: the inherent power is in the Holy Ghost.
The savior is Jesus.
The Father uses the Holy Ghost to act upon those whom He has chosen from before the foundations of the world to believe on whom He has sent.(Jesus)

HeRoseFromTheDead · Jun 25, 2013

john832 said:

Before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:23-26

john832 · Jun 25, 2013

HeRoseFromTheDead said:

So there is no use for Christ?

Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

zone · Jun 25, 2013

john832 said:

AS IF that's what HeRoseFromTheDead said

purleeze.

lame-o

BibleEd · Jun 26, 2013

Good question. To answer your question with another who really rules the world? We know God created the earth and is the supreme sovereignty over the universe but who is currently in control of earth? 1 John 5:19 says " we know we originate from God, but the whole world is lying the power of the wicked one" So Satan is currently misleading most people today. He does that by distracting us with all the different hardships we face today.

Gods fear he wants is respect,not for us to be scared of him, God is love. However as Luke 1:27 says " You must love you God with your whole heart and your whole soul and with your whole strength and your whole mind. and your neighbour as yourself. So he wants us to love Him one hundred percent. In Revelation 21:4 it says " and he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." So God has promised us an everlasting life free from the pain this world has given us.

haz · Jun 26, 2013

john832 said:

Perhaps we should get you to write a john832 version of the Bible for us all, as you proclaim to be a better authority on it's translation to English than the original translators are.

But I think most here much prefer to trust in God that He gave us His word in English. That's much better than trusting in your translation which no doubt seeks to have a lukewarm mix of grace with works of the law

Of course we see in scripture, such as Rom 8:2, Gal 3:25, Gal 5:18, 1Tim 1:9, 2Cor 3:7, all confirming Rom 10;4 that the law is ended for righteousness, to those who believe in Jesus.

HeRoseFromTheDead · Jun 26, 2013

john832 said:

Surely you're not that dull?

just-us-2 · Jul 16, 2013

The requirement that God expects of us is to love one another even as Christ has loved us. (John 15:12) . The requirement of us toward God is to love Him. (John 16:27) . So, where on this earth will we find the love of God? How will we learn and understand what His love is? We can say “I recognize the love of God because Christ died for me.” Without understanding a more meaningful depth of this love, we convince ourselves that God somehow chases after us while we are acting as though we don’t respect Him. We continue to say, “Who can separate me from the love of God.” Yes God will always love everyone, even those who deceive themselves by thinking they are saved, and never respecting the facts behind these requirements. Fact is, if we continue in our own self righteousness, expecting God to bless an unreturned love, we are none of His, and the truth is not in us. (I John 1:8-10; I John 2:1-6)

These requirements outline a two way street for us. That is, if we want to love God with all of our being, which is required, we will respect greatly His will and do it, because that is what is in our hearts. That entails searching the scriptures in order to understand His requirements, including the law and the prophets, which those that really believe are not under. If we truly love God as we ought to, we will earnestly put ourselves under the requirements of our Lord God because we desire His companionship. If we are not subject to these things, there is no companionship in love, and He will say to us at judgment day, “Depart from me, I never knew you.”

Mark51 · Aug 22, 2013

　
“This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”—1　John 5:3.

Basically, keeping his commandments, is what God expects of us. This is not too much to ask. The apostle John tells us something very reassuring about God’s commandments, or requirements. He wrote: “This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.”-1　John 5:3.

The Greek word translated “burdensome” literally means “heavy.” It can refer to something that is hard to live up to or difficult to fulfill. At Matthew 23:4, it is used to describe the “heavy loads,” the man-made rules and traditions, that the scribes and Pharisees put upon people. God’s commandments are not a heavy burden, nor are they too difficult for us to observe. (Compare Deuteronomy 30:11.) On the contrary, when we love God, meeting his requirements makes us happy. It gives us a precious opportunity to demonstrate our love for Jehovah.

To show our love for God, we need to know specifically what he expects of us. The following are just a few basic requirements.
One and probably the most important requirement is taking in　knowledge of God. Consider Jesus’ words recorded in John chapter 17. The setting was the final night of Jesus’ life as a human. Jesus had spent much of the evening preparing his apostles for his departure. He was concerned about their future, their everlasting future. Raising his eyes to heaven, he prayed for them. In verse 3, we read: “This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ.” Yes, their salvation was dependent upon their “taking in knowledge” of both God and Christ. That applies to us too. To gain salvation, we must take in such knowledge.

The Greek word here translated “taking in knowledge” signifies “to come to know, recognize” or “to understand completely.” Notice, too, that the rendering “taking in knowledge” implies that this is an ongoing process. To take in knowledge of God thus means to come to know him not superficially but intimately, developing an understanding friendship with him. A continuing relationship with God brings ever-increasing knowledge of him. This process can continue forever, for we will never learn all that there is to know about Jehovah.-Romans 11:33.

As we take in knowledge of God, we come to realize that we need to make changes in our lives. Therefore, as an other requirement, we must measure up to God’s standards for right conduct and accept his truth. Many people today evidently do not think it really matters to God what we believe and what we do. A report published by the Church of England in 1995 suggested that living together without being married should not be viewed as a sin.

Jehovah tells us in no uncertain terms how he feels about such conduct. (Hebrews 13:4) Sex before marriage may not be a sin in the view of liberal clergymen and churchgoers, but it is a serious sin in God’s eyes! And so are adultery, incest, and homosexuality. (Leviticus 18:6; 1　Corinthians 6:9, 10) God requires that we refrain from such practices, which he views as unclean.

It is not enough, however, to refrain from practices that God views as sinful. God’s requirements also involve the way we treat others. In the family, he expects the husband and the wife to have love and respect for each other. God requires that parents care for the material, spiritual, and emotional needs of their children. He tells children to be obedient to their parents. (Proverbs 22:6; Colossians 3:18-21) As for our beliefs, Jehovah God wants us to avoid beliefs and customs that come from false worship or that are contrary to the clear truth taught in the Bible.-Deuteronomy 18:9-13; 2　Corinthians 6:14-17.

As you bring your life into harmony with God’s standards, you come to appreciate how precious life truly is. Let us now discuss a third requirement of God. We must show respect for life and blood. Life is sacred to Jehovah. It should be, for he is the Source of life. (Psalm 36:9) Why, even the life of an unborn child inside its mother is precious to Jehovah! (Exodus 21:22, 23) Blood represents life. Therefore, blood too is sacred in God’s eyes. (Leviticus 17:14) It should come as no surprise, then, that God expects us to view life and blood as he does.

As Christians, respect for life and blood requires that we do not take unnecessary risks with our lives just for excitement. We should be safety conscious and therefore make sure that our cars and homes are safe. (Deuteronomy 22:8) We do not use tobacco, chew betel nut, or take addictive or mind-warping drugs for pleasure.- 2　Corinthians 7:1.

We are not alone in making the changes needed to bring our lives into harmony with God’s standards. Jehovah has a people on this earth, and he expects us to serve him along with them. This leads to another requirement that we must serve Jehovah with his spirit-directed organization.

According to the standards set out in the Scriptures, such organization have real love among themselves, they have deep respect for the Bible, they honor God’s name, they preach about his Kingdom, and they are no part of this wicked world.-Matthew 6:9; 24:14; John 13:34, 35; 17:16, 17.

HeRoseFromTheDead · Aug 22, 2013

just-us-2 said:

Loving God is loving our neighbor. To love GOD with all of our being is to love our neighbor. To respect GOD is to love our neighbor. It all ends in that one command.

Those who try to make it more than this are simply expressing their own unbelief in what Jesus and his apostles actually said.

Jesus said the 10 commandments are summarized in two commandments: love GOD, love your neighbor. He summarized these two into one commandment: love you neighbor as yourself.

The apostle whom Jesus' loved, John, wrote that loving GOD with all of one's being is to keep his commandments. He wrote that the commandments of GOD are to believe into Christ and love one's neighbor.

You can search the scriptures all you want; but anything other than faith and love is something other than what Jesus and John taught. In fact, it's another gospel.

You search the scriptures because you think that you have eternal life in them, and it is these that testify about me. And you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life. John 5:39-40

john832 · Aug 22, 2013

haz said:

Actually, the manuscripts that the KJV were translated from already say that. It is your stubborn refusal to admit that the Greek manuscripts don't say what you wish they said that keep you from understanding.

john832 · Aug 22, 2013

haz said:

After all, what would Christ know?

Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Mat 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

So in your infinite understanding, please inform all of us when this occurred...

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Is all fulfilled?

Does God really require anything of us?

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