What Is Godly Living?
A. Introduction
The question many people have today is how to live godly lives! The Old Testament from the Law of God taught by Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms and into the New Testament teaching of Jesus and His apostles are filled with teaching and rules many people feel they cannot possibly obey. Here is the GOOD News. The Sovereign LORD God sent His Son Jesus – a Jewish Rabbi – to teach EVERYONE what He requires and commands NOW. Furthermore, the LORD God of Hosts gives His Holy Spirit – the Seven Spirits of God that come from His Throne – and His grace upon grace to empower and teach His people His truths and holy ways through our trust and obedience to Him and His Son, Jesus. Even more, the Sovereign LORD God protects and cares for His godly people, and His Presence (the Holy Spirit) is with those who wholeheartedly seek to live godly and blameless lives and obeys His and His Son Jesus’ commandments.[3]
B. New Creation Through Jesus
In the beginning, God (Elohim) – God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Spirit created the heavens and earth. Then, God created humankind – Adam (man) and Eve (woman) to reflect His holy image and moral likeness and rule His Kingdom (earth) for His glory.[5] Humankind was created for God’s glory and goodness.[6] Eve is called the mother of all who lives.[7] In Genesis, God as the Creator-King announces His crowning work with the creation of humankind to the members of His heavenly council. The Sovereign LORD God had direct fellowship with His first created humans – Adam and Eve until sin through disobedience and rebellion broke this holy communion and fellowship.[9] The Holy Bible tells of the Sovereign LORD God’s intention to have fellowship and communion with His creation from the books of Genesis through Revelation. The Sovereign LORD God sent His Son Jesus (Vine) as the Second Adam to renew, cleanse (sanctify, declare holy), and restore humanity by the Holy Spirit of God (power) through faith in His Son, Jesus so humankind can now have fellowship and peace with Him.
C. Summary of Godly Living
Godly living cannot be separated from loving and obeying the Sovereign LORD God and loving and caring for others, which are the righteous and good acts the Sovereign LORD God requires of EVERYONE. The Holy Bible teaches EVERYONE to wholeheartedly love and trust the Sovereign LORD God and seek goodness, fairness, and mercy towards others, which summarizes the entire Law of God, the Psalms, and the Prophets.[12] Obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments leads to life, wisdom, righteous living, and even more His heavenly blessings and mercy.[13] Everyone that keeps and obeys the Sovereign LORD God’s commandments truly loves and walks with Him, and His Holy Spirit lives within them. The book of Revelation declares that our righteous acts and goodness will lead believers of Jesus to their holy union with the Lamb of God – Jesus as His wife (Bride of Christ).
D. Love and Worship the LORD God
From the beginning of human history into the New Testament, the Sovereign LORD God called and commanded ALL PEOPLE to wholeheartedly HONOR and WALK with Him and OBEY His commandments (covenant) and DO what is good and right, which leads to life, healing, inner peace, joy, and divine protection and prevents one from living a life of sin and selfishness that lead to destruction and death.[16] Jesus taught that EVERYONE is called to love, worship, and praise His Holy Father, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth, with our whole being – all our heart, soul, mind, energy, and strength. [17]
The Holy Bible teaches that it is written and forever remains written that EVERYONE must wholeheartedly WORSHIP and LOVE the Sovereign LORD God FIRST and obey His commandments. The Sovereign LORD God requires our wholehearted love, faithfulness, and obedience to Him as our God and no other gods, idols, or humans and not mix (syncretism) the worship of Him with other gods.[19] NO ONE must worship other gods, themselves (self-worship and selfishness), rulers, or people because the Sovereign LORD God is a jealous God and consuming fire that demands our wholehearted love, worship, and devotion.[20] In fact, the Sovereign LORD God’s Name is Jealous, and He must be our faithful God of gods and Lord of lords of our worship and praise.[21] Only the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus, who are One, deserve worship, honor, and glory with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Likewise, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus’s Name must ALWAYS be kept holy and honored and NEVER disrespected with falsehood nor in vain as a swear or curse word.[23] The Name of the LORD is a strong tower, and the righteous run to the Name of the LORD and are saved.[24]
One of the clear messages of the entire Holy Bible is that the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth (Yahweh) is the God of the Hebrews (Israel), and He is the only eternal Almighty King, God, and Ruler of the world (El Shaddai).[25]The Sovereign LORD God (Yahweh, Jehovah) is the same faithful God of the Old Testament and New Testament as He is the covenant God of the Hebrews (Israel), the Holy Father of Jesus Christ our Savior, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel).[26] The Holy Bible does not deny the existence of other gods but teaches that the Sovereign LORD God of Israel is the God Most High, and He is the powerful and superior faithful God of gods, King of kings, and Lord of lords.[27] Humanity must have no god other than the Sovereign LORD God.[28]
In addition, the Sovereign LORD God is the great and living Everlasting God and King above all gods, and He controls and owns the heavens, the earth and seas, and every living creature.[29] All the heavens and earth are ruled and controlled by the Sovereign LORD God (Jehovah, Yahweh).[30] The Sovereign LORD God is the reigning and eternal King of Glory, and He created the entire earth and those who live upon His earth.[31] Humanity must NEVER worship the sun, the moon, the stars, nor any stary hosts of heaven.[32] The Sovereign LORD God of the Hebrews (Israel) controls and rules the sun, moon, lands, seas, rains, lightning, and winds, and He is the only all-powerful (omnipotent), all-knowing (omniscient) and all-wise God of heaven and earth whose Name is exalted.[33] The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God controls the heavens, earth, animals, winds, thunder, rain, and even the darkness, but He protects His people with His light. Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God of the Hebrews (Israel) controls and governs rulers and people’s hearts so He can humble them and show them His mighty power.[35] Everyone has spirit and life because of the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Jesus.[36] The Sovereign LORD God is the Creator, Life-giver, King, Mighty Warrior, and Judge of heaven and earth. Hallelujah! The Sovereign LORD God of glory reigns and let everyone worship Him as our LORD and King.
E. Old and New Testament Teaching on Sinning Against God
The New Testament teachings about sin and evildoing have Old Testament roots. The Old Testament defines sin, wickedness, and evildoing in the Sovereign LORD God’s eyes.[39] In the book of Genesis, the Sovereign LORD God called Abraham and his descendants to walk with Him by faith and with integrity (truth), humility, obedience, and to live blameless lives before Him.[40] The Sovereign LORD God accepted Abraham and gave Abraham salvation because of Abraham’s faithfulness (belief) in Him and His promise. Abraham was declared righteous (saved) before the Sovereign LORD God because of His active faith characterized by good deeds and works.[42] The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God wanted a people that worshipped and obeyed Him as doers of the Word of God and were law-abiding citizens, compassionated, loving, and honest, particularly towards the fatherless, the poor, the prisoner, the defenseless, widows, and refugees (aliens, foreigners).[43]
In many ways, the New Testament books of James and Jude echoed Jesus’s teachings about godly living. Many biblical scholars believe James and Jude were the half-brothers of Jesus Christ, our Savior.[44] The Holy Bible named Jesus’s brothers James, Joses (Joseph), Judas (Jude or Judah), and Simon.[45] James would later become a leader of the Jerusalem church.[46] In his book, James taught that the lives of Jesus’s followers must be characterized by good deeds and an active faith that walks with wisdom, peace, forgiveness, patience, and maturity like our Heavenly Father by asking Him for all spiritual guidance and wisdom for holy living.[47] All power and wisdom come from the Sovereign LORD God, and He gives divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding and reveals all secrets.[48] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are the Givers of all goodness and wisdom.[49] The beginning of ALL WISDOM is the honor and fear of the Sovereign LORD God, turning away from (shunning) evil and obeying the LORD’s commandments (Voice).
Likewise, Jude wrote to the church to warn believers of false teachers and prophets trying to convince believers of Jesus that being saved by God’s grace gives them license to sin.[51] The book of Jude warned believers of Jesus about false teachers and prophets abusing God’s good grace.[52] These false teachers and prophets of Satan pervert and twist God’s grace, salvation, and forgiveness of sin through Jesus by preaching that believers of Jesus have permission to sin since their sins will no longer be held against them.[53] Jude warned believers of Jesus to be on guard against such wicked workers of Satan and be prepared to oppose their false preaching with the truth about God’s grace.[54] These false teachers and prophets used the Gospel teaching of Jesus and God’s grace as an excuse for ungodly living and evildoing.[55] Jesus bore our sins on Calvary’s Cross to cleanse our hearts, so His holy disciples (believers) in Him will die to sin and self-centered living and live to produce good fruit as instruments of God’s righteousness, holiness, and goodness for God’s glory and honor.[56] The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God will judge and punish evildoers.[57]
In his teaching, Jude quoted from the Old Testament stories of Cain and Abel, Enoch, Sodom and Gomorrah, Balaam, and Korah’s rebellion to warn believers of Jesus to repent and turn away from such sins as murder, greed, selfishness, sexual immorality, rebellion against authorities, and evil speaking.[58] Such evildoers – grumblers, loudmouth boasters, and complainers that walk according to their selfish lusts and thoughts will be condemned for destruction by the Sovereign LORD God.[59] These evil workers of Satan are unfaithful, and they cause division amongst the people for their own selfish and greedy gain.[60]
EVERYONE must give an account and be judged by the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus for our deeds and words on earth.[61] The Holy Bible teaches that everyone is responsible to the Sovereign LORD God for their sins and wrong decisions.[62] The Sovereign LORD God promises that the soul that sins and rebels against Him will die.Anyone who disrespects, hates, and disobeys the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments will experience His divine wrath, anger, and perish.[64] The Sovereign LORD God brings His destruction, unrest, fury, and wrath against those who practice evil and rebel against Him.[65] If a righteous person turns from goodness to sin and corruption, then that person will die and suffer because of sinful, depraved, and heinous living.[66] Equally, if a wicked person repents and turns to the LORD God with all goodness and obedience, that person will live and find God’s forgiveness and mercy.[67]The Sovereign LORD God is all-knowing, and He will bring every word and deed into judgment, including our secrets, whether good or evil.[68]
The Holy Bible declares that the Sovereign LORD God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked and sinful, but He calls ALL PEOPLE – the saint and sinner to REPENT and TURN from all sin, iniquity, and evildoing to find life.[69]EVERYONE who REPENTS of wrongdoing and sins no more will find God’s life and goodness, not His condemnation. The Sovereign LORD God loves goodness, justice, and mercy, but He hates evildoing.[71] The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God accepts ALL PEOPLE from every nation that loves, honors, and accepts Him and His Son, Christ Jesus and does what is good and right.[72] The Sovereign LORD God gives His grace, blessings, and mercy to His humble and obedient people that follow His good ways and commandments.[73] Heaven’s rewards and peace come to those who diligently seek and have faith in the Sovereign LORD God and do goodness.[74] The Sovereign LORD God is good, kind, and merciful to those who seek and love Him and do good and fairness towards others.
Anyone who does and practices sin is a slave to sin and Satan.[76] The root of all sin is the human heart.[77] Often, a person's outward and external life and actions mirror one’s a corrupt and evil inner heart.[78] The Holy Bible declares that the soul that continually sins will not find life but be blotted out from heaven and removed from the Lamb’s Book of Life.[79] The wrath of God is poured out from heaven on everyone that does these sinful, godless, and dark deeds.[80]
F. God’s Grace and Goodness
The Sovereign LORD God is good, fair-minded, and merciful, and He delights in EVERYONE obeying and knowing Him, and our walking in love, goodness, kindness, truth, love, humility, and fairness towards others while rejecting all evildoing and wickedness.[81] Goodness, love, grace, light, and faithfulness are the core elements of the Sovereign LORD God’s character and nature from everlasting to everlasting.[82] The Sovereign LORD is filled with unendingmercy, goodness, forgiveness, and love for those who repent, turn from their wicked ways, trust Him, and call upon Him in their sorrows and pains for salvation and help.[83] Repentance means demonstrating a new behavior and lifestyle of good fruit and deeds that prove a changed heart and life and a conscious decision to turn away from Satan’s sin and wrongdoing. Our wholehearted love and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His covenant – the Ten Commandments – lead to His blessings from heaven for ourselves, our families, and our righteousness.[85] The Sovereign LORD God loves and cares for the world, and He revealed His unending love for humanity by sending His Son Jesus to SAVE and DELIVER you from Satan’s sin, darkness, and evildoing.[86]
Mary, the mother of Christ Jesus, sang in her great hymn, the Magnificat, about the greatness and glory of the Sovereign LORD God – the Holy Father of Jesus. The Sovereign LORD God is our Mighty Savior and holy King of kings.Mary noted that the Sovereign LORD God’s goodness and mercy are on those who humbly fear and honor Him and obey His commandments from generation to generation.
The Sovereign LORD God, who is our Heavenly Father, keeps believers of Jesus safe and secure from Satan’s evil, wrongdoing, and temptation as we daily PRAY and SEEK Him as our God. Our GREAT and MIGHTY God is with those who depart from evildoing and do good, and He hears their cries and prayers for help.[91] Our grace, peace, and strength come from God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are awesome Mighty Warriors that help, protect, rescue, and fight for His faithful people, but He defeats those who come against His holy ones.[93] The holy angels of the Sovereign LORD God encamp all around those who honor, love, and obey Him to protect and provide for godly people.[94] Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus heal all our diseases and sickness and provide for all our needs as we worship and love Him FIRST.[95] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus promised to ALWAYS be with His people and never leave them because Jesus is our Savior and God with us.
The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus (the Lamb of God) as One are our Good Shepherd and our Strong Foundation. As our Good Shepherd, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are our shields that guide and provide for ALL OUR NEEDS, so we shall not want and lack anything as we seek God and His Kingdom FIRST.Even in the darkest valley of suffering and death, God’s people need not fear nor be afraid because the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Jesus are with us to deliver, comfort, and bring victory through our suffering as we trust in Him and pray. The Holy Bible teaches everyone that we must ALWAYS pray and trust in the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus and DO GOOD, and He will give you the needs and desires of your heart. The Sovereign LORD God is GRACIOUS, FAITHFUL, AND COMPASSIONATE, and He brings His lovingkindness, protection, healing, blessings, and mercy from heaven to those and their families that love and worship (serve) Him, obey His commandments, and are peacemakers and merciful.[101] Worshippers of the Sovereign LORD God become His special and holy treasure, and the Sovereign LORD God brings His protection and grace as we love and obey Him and His commandments.
Because of the Sovereign LORD God’s grace and goodness, EVERYONE must submit and worship the Sovereign LORD God and resist and flee from Satan’s temptations, evildoing, and dark deeds.[103] Following Satan’s sin, evildoing, and rebellion separates us from the Sovereign LORD God's amazing grace, mercy, kindness, and, importantly, His Holy Spirit.[104] Satan and his false prophets and teachers disguise themselves as light, but Satan and his evil workers’ deeds and actions are lawlessness, rebellion, disobedience, darkness, and selfishness. The Holy Bible teaches that Satan is a liar, murderer, deceiver, thief, and accuser, and Satan has NO truth, love, and goodness within him. Everyone can defeat Satan and his evil workers and demons through truth, goodness, peacefulness, faithfulness to God, salvation through Jesus, God’s Word – the Spirit, and prayer. The Sovereign LORD God gives everyone faithful to Him and His Son Jesus the forever written Word of God, the Holy Spirit, and persistent prayer and devotion to resist and fight against Satan.
The Holy Scriptures make clear that good living does not earn us acceptance by the Sovereign LORD God but good livingis a natural response of EVERYONE who has accepted the Sovereign LORD God’s forgiveness, salvation, and grace found in His Son, Jesus.[109] Good works and good deeds are marks of believers of Jesus.[110] Everyone who does good (righteous) is of God, but everyone that does and follows evil does not know God.[111] Believers of Jesus are declared righteous (perfect, justified) when they accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, and every day Jesus sanctifies (cleanses) believers with His Holy Spirit, so they become more and more like Him.[112] Faith (trust and belief) in the blood sacrifice of Jesus cleanses believers of Jesus from the inside out so that believers of Jesus are forgiven, justified (righteous), reconciled, and made holy before the Sovereign LORD God.[113] Believers of Jesus have been raised to new life with Jesus through faith and belief in Jesus and are called to set our hearts, souls, and minds on the LORD God of heaven and pleasing Him and not on earthly pleasures and evildoing.[114] God’s grace that saves believers of Jesus instructs believers to live in a new way – a new lifestyle of goodness and truth. EVERYTHING believers of Jesus do – eating, fasting, giving, good deeds, or praying – must be done for the Sovereign LORD God’s glory and honor and not for their applause, fame, or attention as hypocrites (pretenders).[116]
With this new life and abundant grace received through faith in Jesus, should everyone keep sinning so the Sovereign LORD God can show us more grace? The Holy Bible says NO! The Holy Bible teaches that the Sovereign LORD God NEVER gave His grace and goodness found in Jesus as permission and freedom for anyone to live corrupt, rebellious, lawless, selfish, and sinful lives.[117] Sadly, Satan’s false teachers and prophets have encouraged believers of Jesus to use God’s grace for wrongdoing and sinfulness and, even worse, deny the Lord Jesus Christ.[118] Believers of Jesus are not to abuse and misuse the Sovereign LORD God’s grace and forgiveness by continuing in Satan’s evildoing, lawlessness, and dark works.[119]
The early church instructed believers of Jesus not to let sin and Satan control the way we live but to TURN from Satan’s darkness and lawlessness.[120] God’s grace through faith in Jesus should lead believers in Jesus to an honest, obedient, courteous, and moral lifestyle that loves and honors the Sovereign LORD God and serve others and NEVER evildoing.[121] In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul taught believers of Jesus NOT to continue sinning and doing Satan’s evil and dark deeds so that the Sovereign LORD God can show them more and more grace.[122] True faith in Jesus should lead believers to transform lives through the Holy Spirit of God to live good, honest, moral, patient, forgiving, and generous lives.[123]
The Sovereign LORD God graciously gave His Son, Christ Jesus as the Passover Lamb and final sacrifice for our sins so believers in Jesus will receive salvation, eternal life, and forgiveness by REPENTING and TURNING from Satan’s sin, darkness, and evildoing.[124] Christ Jesus gave His life and blood to redeem everyone through faith in Him from every lawless deed and purify (sanctify) us by His Holy Spirit so we can live holy lives zealous to do good work for the Sovereign LORD God’s glory and honor.[125] Through faith in Jesus, believers of Jesus are reconciled and united as One with the Sovereign LORD God.[126] Christ Jesus is the spiritual Bread of Life (manna) and living Water sent from the Sovereign LORD God that provides spiritual life now and for all eternity.[127]
The Holy Bible instructs believers of Jesus to turn and flee from ALL forms of evil and wrongdoing and love and serve others, even our enemies like Jesus.[128] All wrongdoing is sin, but believers in Jesus can repent of their wrongdoing and experience life.[129] Believers of Jesus are always called to do what is good, truthful, and right and walk in forgiveness and mercy and never hate nor seek revenge.[130] The Sovereign LORD God brings the His unending goodness to those who do good in the world.[131] Always respect, worship, and honor the Sovereign LORD God. One of the great benefits of loving, worshipping, and obeying the Sovereign LORD God is that He gives His unending grace, love, and mercy on you and your family for many generations as His treasured possession.
G. The Commandments of God
The Holy Bible declares that the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments do not change.[133] The Sovereign LORD God spoke His Ten Commandments from His heavenly Glory Cloud at Mount Sinai (Horeb) so that Israel and the world would always honor and obey Him and stay away from sin.[134] Significantly, the Sovereign LORD God commands our obedience to His commandments – His Voice.[135] The Ten Commandments are the VOICE and WORDof the Sovereign LORD God that He and His Son, Jesus have commanded EVERYONE to love and obey to find life now and for all eternity.[136] Every word of the Sovereign LORD God is pure and holy for daily living and instruction.
The Law of God reveals the Sovereign LORD God’s Voice and brings His life, wisdom, and joy. The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus taught that the Law of God was the way of life for the redeemed (saved) of God but not the way of salvation for the lost and unredeemed (unsaved). The way of salvation for the lost and saved has always has been FAITH in the Sovereign LORD God and later faith in His Son Christ Jesus.
A summary of the Law of God and the entire Holy Bible is to love and obey the Sovereign LORD God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, and equally as important is to love one another – doing mercy, kindness, fairness, forgiveness, and nothing to harm others.[141] The Sovereign LORD God commanded wholehearted love, faithfulness, and worship to Him as our only God and King and no other gods, idols, or humans.[142] Next, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus commanded EVERYONE never to harm, mistreat, curse, disrespect, or disobey our mothers and fathers but to love, obey, and care for our mothers and fathers.[143] Equally, parents must love and train their children in the ways of the LORD and never abuse and mistreat them.[144] In addition, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus commanded that no one murders, hate, and intentionally kills and harms another human.[145] Likewise, the Sovereign LORD God and Jesus commanded everyone to be faithful, committed, and honest within marriage, not commit adultery, or seek another lover or companion outside the bonds of holy matrimony.[146] Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God and Jesus commanded that no one steals, thieves, robs, or embezzles, whether secretly, openly, fraudulently, or through carelessness.[147] However, the Sovereign LORD God and His Jesus commanded that if we see another person in need and hungry, believers of Jesus must share with others in need.[148] In addition, the Sovereign LORD God and Jesus commanded everyone not to lie, speak falsely, manipulate, or withhold the truth toward anyone.[149] Last but not least, the Sovereign LORD God and Jesus commanded everyone not to be greedy and selfishly covet, cling, desire, and wish for another’s house, spouse, and possessions but always be thankful for His blessings and provisions.[150]
Ultimately, sin and disobedience to the Sovereign LORD God’s commandments lead to physical and spiritual death.[151]Evil deeds, hateful thoughts, and dark living that disobeys the Sovereign LORD God and hurt others, such as robbing, stealing, adultery, and mistreatment and harm to others, lead to God’s wrath, death, and condemnation.[152] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus wanted everyone to REPENT and TURN AWAY from lies, fornication, sexual sins, adultery, thief, homosexuality, drunkenness, gluttony, greediness, wild partying, theft, murder, idolatry, selfishness, and jealousy.[153] Evildoers and those who rebel against God’s Word and indulge in sexual sins, worshipping idols, adultery, prostitution, thief, greed, drunkenness, abusers, and cheaters experience God’s wrath and judgment, and they will not enter God’s Kingdom.[154]
The Holy Scriptures declare who may abide and live in the Sovereign LORD God’s tabernacle and holy hill.[155] The Sovereign LORD God blesses everyone to come into His Presence with worship, who walks uprightly with integrity and goodness, does righteousness works, and speaks the truth inside one’s heart.[156] The Holy Bible declares that everyone who wholeheartedly worships the Sovereign LORD God with clean hearts and hands may come into His holy Presence and find peace for living.[157] Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God calls His people to speak the truth, not insult and slander with their tongues, and do no evil towards one another by hurting and harming others.[158] The Sovereign LORD God wants everyone to avoid evildoing and wickedness but always be thankful, rejoice, and seek goodness and generosity towards others.[159] Likewise, the Sovereign LORD God commands everyone to keep their promises to others and not speak falsehood and lies.[160] Finally, the Sovereign LORD God instructs everyone not to lend out their goods and monies at interest nor take bribes against the innocent.[161] The Sovereign LORD God did not want His people to breach their faith in Him and suffer moral injuries from lying, cheating, deceiving, stealing, robbing, hurting, and oppressing others.[162] Such Satanic actions and deeds lead to your death and bring sorrow to the Holy Spirit of God.[163] The Holy Bible declares that only those who walk righteously, close their eyes to evil, speak what is good and right, and do not twist justice and fairness with a bribe will see the Sovereign LORD God and dwell in His Presence.[164] Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God will bless those who honor, love, and respect Him and obey His covenant, and they will become His special treasure.[165]
The Holy Bible outlines and provides a list of sins, crimes, and wickedness the Sovereign LORD God considers evil before His eyes. The Sovereign LORD God wanted His people to be holy, good, and law-abiding citizens; therefore, He commanded in His Holy Bible guidelines for holy living for EVERYONE to obey. Also, the Holiness Code found in Leviticus 18:1 through 20:27 provides a list of sins the Sovereign LORD God condemns as evil. Furthermore, the New Testament lists of sins and wickedness at Romans 1:18-32; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:17-32; and Colossians 3:1-11. The Sovereign LORD God has commanded His people to worship Him wholeheartedly, flee from rebellion against your father and mother, sorcerer and witchcraft, adultery and fornication, perjury and lies, exploitation of aliens, orphans, and widows, hatred, and murder, greed, and envy.[168]
The lists of sins and wrongdoing the Sovereign LORD God condemn include the following:
· Disrespecting and not honoring the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments.
· Worshipping and seeking other gods, idols, money, and objects of gold and silver – idolatry.
· Worshipping the sun, the moon, and the stars of the heavens.
· God-haters.
· Following other nations’ laws and commandments.
· Sacrificing children to other gods.
· Dishonoring the Sabbath day by not setting aside a day of holy rest and worship before the LORD.
· Degrading and disrespecting the LORD’s sanctuary.
· Greedy and money lovers.
· Fraud, dishonest profit, and corruption.
· Haters of goodness.
· Selfishness, narcissism, and self-focused.
· Blasphemy by cursing and misusing the LORD God and His Son Jesus’s Name.
· Disobedient, harmful, and disrespectful to parents – your mother and father.
· Ungratefulness and un-thankfulness.
· Killing, murder, oppress, hatred, malice, wrath, hurting, and harming others with intent.
· Hurting the innocent and righteous.
· Outburst of anger, strife, discord, hot temper, and rage.
· Violence, fighting, and a mean spirit.
· Malice, spiteful, and cruel.
· Meddling and nosey.
· Filthy language and profanity.
· Gossips, spread rumors, slanders, speaks evil against others, and backbiting.
· Rude, unloving, bad-mannered, disrespectful, and impolite.
· Self-glory, arrogant, pride, conceit, superiority, and boastful.
· Unloving, devoid of human affection, heartless and ruthless quarrelsome, and unmerciful.
· Evil and wicked expression.
· Senseless, irrational, and idiotic.
· No self-control and impatience.
· Pleasure lovers and not lovers of God.
· Sexual immorality, orgies, sexual relations with close relatives and animals, adultery, fornication (sex outside the bonds of holy marriage), sodomy, and other sexual relations outside the bonds of holy wedlock.
· Lustful desires and thoughts.
· Seduction.
· Rape.
· Crossdressing and transvestitism – women wearing men’s clothing and men wearing women’s clothing (See Deuteronomy 22:5).
· Sexual relationship with close relatives and in-laws.
· Homosexuality (same-sex relationship).
· Arson.
· Breach of trust.
· Sexual relations with animals.
· Eating blood and fat.[208]
· Cruelty and mistreatment of animals.
· Stealing, robbery, thief, and taking another person’s possessions.
· Stubbornness.
· Lying, deceit, falsehood, fraud, hypocrisy, cheating, and trickery.
· Lending money to the poor at interest.
· False witness and perjurer.
· Bribery and diversion of justice.
· Covetous, jealous, greedy, and envious of another’s possessions.
· Drunkenness, carousing, and drinking parties.
· Witchcraft, sorcery, soothsayer, diviners, interprets omens, spiritists, wizards, fortune tellers, and mediums.
· Worshipping the sun, the moon, the stars, or any stary hosts of heaven.[219]
· Eating and consuming blood – human, bird, or beast – kosher requirements.
· Eating and consuming animal fat.
· Prejudice, bigotry, and unfairness towards others.
· Personal vengeance, malice, meanness, and hate of others.
· Arguing, quarreling, controversy, and false babbling.
· Laziness and gluttony.
· Bitterness and acrimony.
· Cowardness and quitters.
· Faithless, traitors, and treacherous.
· Prostitution.
· Unforgiveness.
· Stingy and not sharing with others in need.
· Disrespectful, insubordinate, and irreverent.
· Un-neighborliness.[233]
· Anti-social behavior.[234]
· Kidnappers and slave traders.
· Sexual relations with a woman during her period.
· Extortion and blackmail.
· Mistreatment, abuse, and exploitation of widows, orphans (fatherless children), the poor, wage earners, and foreigners (aliens).
· Curses and despises authorities, government, and the ruler of people.
· Cutting your body for the dead or tattoo marks.
· Disobedient and ill-treatment to the elderly.
· Abuse of the blind and deaf.
H. Jesus – Lawgiver of the New Testament
In the New Testament, the Sovereign LORD God’s full grace (favor) and truth came through His Son Christ Jesus, as predicted by the prophet Isaiah.[243] Jesus has commanded everyone to worship His Holy Father in spirit and truth.[244]The Sovereign LORD God is the Lawgiver and Judge, and He has sent His Son, Christ Jesus into the world incarnate (embodied) as His Lawgiver and Judge. Jesus from the tribe of Judah is the Judge and Lawgiver of the New Testament. The faithful servant Moses bears the description of the lawgiver from the Old Testament because Moses’ teaching came from the Sovereign LORD God.[247] Moses predicted the coming of the Great Prophet – Christ Jesus, who EVERYONE must listen to and obey.[248] Jesus is our great Apostle, the Logos (Word of God, Wisdom), and the High Priest sent from His Holy Father, the Sovereign LORD God.[249]
The New Testament referred to Jesus as the great Prophet like Moses, who knew the Sovereign LORD God face to face because of His teaching.[250] Jesus’s teaching was the same teaching as His Holy Father – the Sovereign LORD God.[251] The Sovereign LORD God sent His Son Christ Jesus into the world to teach the world His commands, and He has called EVERYONE to listen and obey His Son, Christ Jesus and live through Him. Everyone who follows and obeys Jesus’s teaching is the one that truly loves the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus and becomes Jesus’s holy disciple.
The teaching of Jesus (law or commandment) is love and peace for one another. Jesus is JOY and PEACE as He brings the Sovereign LORD God’s joy and peace into all the world by the Holy Spirit of God to everyone that accepts and obeys Him by faith as their Savior and God’s Son.[255] To receive Jesus’s joy and peace, Jesus must be our Lord and Savior over ALL our life.[256] Through faith in Jesus, everyone finds hope and peace from the Sovereign LORD God because Jesus is the hope and peace of the world.[257] Jesus brings divine peace and peace of mind from heaven as we trust and obey Him.[258]
The teachings and life of Jesus are a continuation of the Old Testament. Jesus is the bridge of the Old Testament’s promises because He is the Promised Descendent from King David and Father Abraham, who rules and brings the Sovereign LORD God’s blessings and salvation into all the world. The Sovereign LORD God, in the fullness of time, sent His Son Jesus the Messiah, born of the virgin Mary, into the world so that all who BELIEVE in Jesus may be redeemed and liberated from Satan’s darkness, adopted into God’s family as joint heirs with Jesus, and given the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus of Nazareth is the Promised Messiah-King and Righteous Ruler predicted by the Old Testament prophets, and Jesus deserves our worship and love just like His Holy Father – the Sovereign LORD God.
Jesus is the promised Messiah (Anointed One, Christ) predicted by the Old Testament prophets to bring God’s peace and salvation to the world.[262] Moses and the prophets predicted Christ Jesus’s arrival, and all the Old Testament writings and teachings of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms are about Jesus the Christ (Messiah) and His suffering for our sins and salvation.[263] Jesus is our Deliverer, Savior, and Healer that brings His Holy Father’s peace and salvation from Satan’s darkness and our sins.[264] Indeed, Jesus is the Hope and Savior of the World, and Jesus is God with us – our Immanuel predicted by the Old Testament prophets.[265]
The Resurrected Jesus is the Head of the church – the Body of Christ, and He is above any principality, power, and dominion.[266] The Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth has given His Son Jesus the Kingdom of God with all authority and power, and Jesus is Lord and Ruler of all kings and governments. The fullness of the Godhead lived in Jesus, and He is our God, King, Teacher, Healer, and Lord, so we can always trust Jesus.[268] Jesus is God and the Great I AM (Yahweh) because Jesus is One with His Holy Father, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth.[269] As One with His Holy Father, Jesus is the Great I AM (Yahweh), and He deserves our wholehearted love, allegiance, and worship as our Lord and Savior.[270] Everyone that worships and obeys Jesus will be honored by the Sovereign LORD God with His Holy Presence – the Holy Spirit.[271] Jesus is Lord and God as One with His Holy Father, and Jesus deserves our wholehearted worship and devotion as our King.[272]
As the Head of the church, the Resurrected Jesus has the power and authority to judge and criticize the church for their continued sins and evildoing.[273] The Resurrected Jesus condemns and cleanses His church of their sins so He can present the church as holy to His Father – the Sovereign LORD God.[274] The Resurrected Jesus has loved the church (the new Israel) and washed the church of our sins with His blood, and made the church holy (sanctified) kings and priests to His Holy Father, the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth.[275]
The Holy Bible teaches that Jesus is the unblemished, perfect, and sinless Passover Lamb of God who died and gave His unbroken life to redeem and save the world from slavery and to atone (propitiation) for our sins.[276] Jesus was wounded for our transgressions (rebellion), crushed for our iniquities (sins), and His punishment brought our peace (made us whole), and by Jesus’s wounds we have been fully healed.[277] As the Passover Lamb of God, Jesus’s precious blood was sacrificed to make believers holy and save and protect believers in Jesus from His Father’s destroying wrath and plague through faith in Him.[278] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus the Lamb save and shelter the faithful people of God with His Presence (tabernacle), so His people will not be hungry and thirsty as He guides them to springs of Living Water.[279] All blessings, glory, majesty, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power, and might belong to the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus the Lamb, forever and ever, AMEN.[280]
I. Teachings of Jesus
From Jesus’s teachings and sermons, Jesus taught the importance of humility, repentance (turning from sins), forgiveness, being kindhearted, seeking goodness and mercy toward others, walking with integrity and honesty, righteousness, godly character, faith in God, persistent prayer, and being peacemakers.[281] Jesus wants EVERYONE to live and walk each day with love, mercy, truthfulness, self-control, peacefulness, generosity, patience, loyalty, and kindness towards others, even our enemies, because such good deeds bring life and forgiveness to our souls from His Holy Father.[282] Believers of Jesus are taught to never seek revenge, payback, and retaliation against our enemies and abusers but to leave room for the Sovereign LORD God’s vengeance.[283] Importantly, Jesus taught us that we must treat others the same way we wish to be treated.[284]
Jesus taught that our evildoing, self-centered living, and spoken words of sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness ALL come from a person’s inner heart and brings defilement and God’s wrath.[285] What comes out of a person’s mouth and heart defiles and hurt one’s entire bodybecause a person’s speech comes from their inner heart and thoughts.[286] According to Jesus, such sins and wickedness separate and make us unclean before His Holy Father, the Sovereign LORD God.[287] The Sovereign LORD God hates and turns away His ears and face from the prayers of evildoers and those who exploit and mistreat widows, orphans, prisoners, and their employees, and these evil workers of Satan find no peace but eternal punishment from God.[288]However, the Sovereign LORD God listens to our prayers and gives us His peace as we seek and obey Him.[289]
The Holy Bible teaches that everyone that pursues evil and lawlessness such as sexual sins, prostitution, child molestation, gambling, lying, adultery, fornication, stealing, drunkenness, murder, witchcraft, sorcerer, coveting (selfishness, greed, materialism), and idolatry (worshipping other gods) will have NO inheritance in the Kingdom of God but experiences God’s wrath, unrest, and death both now and for all eternity.[290] Such evil deeds as jealousy, greed, selfishness, pride, and selfish ambition in our hearts are not godly but earthly, unspiritual, and demonic and lead to disorder, confusion, and chaos.[291] Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God dislikes a prideful and arrogant eye, a false and lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, hearts that scheme and do wickedness, and a person that creates discord, division, and arguments amongst people.[292]
The Sovereign LORD God has ALWAYS required His people to live ethical, holy, and moral lives that were wholeheartedly devoted to Him and His commandments (covenant). Since the beginning of human history, the Sovereign LORD God commanded His creation to walk with Him with our wholehearted faithfulness, obedience, and love for Him.[293] .[294] The holy prophets of God, such as Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Hosea repeatedly called the people to repent and turn their wholehearted love, faithfulness, and obedience to the LORD God.[295] Furthermore, Moses, the Old Testament prophets, the New Testament apostles, and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior have ALLproclaimed the Sovereign LORD God’s message of mercy, fairness, goodness, justice, truth, and forgiveness towards one another and caring for the hungry, hurting, the naked, the sick and oppressed, prisoners, widows, orphans (fatherless), foreigners (refugees, strangers), and the poor and not plotting evil in our hearts against one another.[296] This message of love, compassion, and forgiveness from the Sovereign LORD God and towards others is His same message from generation to generation.[297] The message of Jesus continues the Old Testament teaching and prophecy.[298] Believers of Jesus are called to study and obey the LORD God’s commandments and ways.[299] The Law of God reveals what sin is and evildoing.[300]
Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God commanded the people through His holy prophets to turn away from idolatry, adultery, sexual sins, murder, shedding innocent blood, greed, rebellion against parents, lying, trickery, dishonest gains, stealing, hatred, oppression, bribery, extortion, slander, bigotry, envy, and jealousy.[301] In the Old Testament, Israel and Judah neglected living ethical, holy, and moral lives as the Sovereign LORD God required and violated His covenant (Law).[302] Israel and Judah’s false and evil prophets and priests violated the Sovereign LORD God’s covenant (Law) and Sabbaths and gave the people false visions of hope as they encouraged wickedness.[303]
Continually, the holy prophets of God warned Israel and Judah that proper worship of the Sovereign LORD God required living holy and moral lives with good behavior in wholehearted obedience to Him and His Law (covenant) and not just religious rituals, ceremonies, and festivals.[304] For example, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah warned God’s people that their half-hearted fasting and continued wickedness WOULD NOT lead to the Sovereign LORD God’s favor (grace), answered prayers, and healing because such evil behavior dishonors Him.[305] In Isaiah chapter 58, the prophet noted that the people’s fasted only to please themselves and not to honor the Sovereign LORD God and care for hurting people.[306] The Sovereign LORD God saw that the people’s fasting and religious rituals ended with their continued mistreatment of others, quarreling and strife, and striking each other with wicked fists.[307]
Through His prophet Isaiah, the Sovereign LORD God announced that the kind of fasting and true worship that leads to His blessings include fighting against injustice and oppression, sharing with the needy, and caring for the aliens (refugees), widows, and orphans.[308] Our fasts, ceremonies, and rituals do not constitute true worship if they come from selfishness and false motives! Worship rituals and fasts must focus wholeheartedly on the Sovereign LORD God, repentance and confession of sins, and the needs of others. True worship of the Sovereign LORD God requires justice, mercy, and compassion toward others. How we treat others shows how obedient we are to the LORD God.[309] The Holy Bible teaches that fasting, rituals, and religious ceremonies are WORTHLESS without our obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and DOING mercy, goodness, and kindness towards others.[310] The Sovereign LORD God is pleased when believers of Jesus OBEY Him and DO what is good, fair, loving, and right more than any religious ceremonies, fasting, Sabbath observance, or sacrifices.[311] The sacrifices that LORD God welcomes and pleases Him are living holy, humility, doing good, pursuing peace, and sharing with others in need.[312] The Sovereign LORD God is near to and blesses those with humble and kind hearts.[313]
The Sovereign LORD God wants our genuine and wholehearted love, obedience, and trust in Him lived out with mercy, kindness, and holiness towards others and not just our religious rituals, ceremonies, and half-hearted worship.[314]Equally important, the Sovereign LORD God called ALL PEOPLE to be fair, honest, and good and show faithful love and compassion to one another, especially to the oppressed, widows, orphans and fatherless, prisoners, refugees, and the poor, and to never plot evil in your hearts against one another.[315] The Holy Bible repeatedly highlight the importance of showing mercy, goodness, fairness, and caring for others in need, particularly those poor, weak, defenseless, sick, refugees (aliens), prisoners, fatherless (orphans), and widows.[316] The Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus are the SAME yesterday, today, and tomorrow as He and His moral commandments do not change.[317]
J. Becoming Jesus’s Disciple
Faith and acceptance of Jesus mean coming Jesus’s holy disciple. Believers are instructed to allow the words and teaching of Jesus to dwell within our hearts and minds.[318] Jesus taught the heart of discipleship is wholehearted worship, love, dependence, obedience, and service to His Holy Father – the Sovereign LORD God and love and service for others above our selfish desires and plans, and even our families.[319] Here is the Good News: when believers of Jesus worship and obey the Sovereign LORD God first, believers find abundant life and family.[320]
As Jesus’s holy disciple, believers of Jesus are called to live generously, loving, self-sacrificing, helpful, and kind-hearted within the world as Jesus’s ambassadors imitating and reflecting the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus for God’s glory and goodness.[321] The Sovereign LORD God has called ALL PEOPLE to live like His Son Jesus – as light with godly, faithful, and compassionate deeds and hearts.[322] Believers of Jesus are to no longer live for worldly, criminal, and self-centered pleasures such as lies, stealing, murder, lust, drunkenness, orgies, fornication, wild parties, lawlessness, and idolatry.[323] The Sovereign LORD God sent His Son, Jesus to earth to rescue and save humanity from Satan’s dark deeds and renew and transform believers of Jesus by the power of God’s Holy Spirit and the Gospel message into Jesus’s holy image and glory.
True faith in Jesus will result in an outworking of good works and good deeds.[325] Being declared righteous means doing what is moral, fair, and right before the Sovereign LORD God and humanity and not harming, hurting, and defrauding one another.[326] Our love and obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and love and compassion for one another reveal believers of Jesus truly love Him and His Son, Jesus.[327] Faith without an outworking of good deeds and good works is useless and dead.[328]
Jesus fills believers in Him with His joy, good spiritual fruit, healing, salvation, and peace of mind through faith in Him because He is our Deliverer and Healer.[329] Without Jesus, individuals produce bad fruit that leads to death now and for all eternity.[330] Jesus trains and leads believers in Him to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.[331] Therefore, the Holy Bible calls EVERYONE to seek and call upon the Sovereign LORD God, found in His Son, Jesus, with our whole hearts, to turn from wickedness and find the LORD God’s unending love, mercy, and forgiveness.[332]
Jesus has called His disciples to be obedient and faithful servants in God’s Kingdom by helping and loving one another and seeking the good and comfort of others ahead of our good. Such good deeds as kindness, mercy, and generosity to others, particularly those hungry, hurting, thirsty, naked, sick, in prison, and the stranger, lead to the Sovereign LORD God’s mercy and grace towards us when we are in need.[334] Everyone who is merciful, kindhearted, and loving will receive the LORD God’s mercy and love.[335] The Sovereign LORD God expects those blessed with material prosperity to share and care for the economically vulnerable and oppressed.[336] The Sovereign LORD God rejoices in those who follow and do His fairness, goodness, and love in the world towards others.[337]
Through faith in Jesus, believers in Jesus are a new creation, and the old selfish and sinful life has passed away. The New Testament instructs holy disciples to walk after the likeness and image of God in true righteousness, goodness, and holiness as we were created from the beginning. As a new creation, believers of Jesus are commanded to clothe themselves and walk each day after the likeness and image of God with all humility, compassion, kindness, forgiveness, gentleness, mercy, and patience as a kingdom of priests and holy people.[340]
With this new life in Christ Jesus, believers are to have an ACTIVE FAITH that lives at peace with others, does good works, forgives one another, shares with those in need, and above all loves one another just as the LORD God has forgiven and loved us. The New Testament Gospels, particularly Mark’s Gospel, revealed Jesus’s active faith in compassion, love, and goodness.[342] The Sovereign LORD God has called believers of Jesus to be active and productivein the world as His good and faithful servants with wisdom and foresight. Our good works and good conduct of kindness, mercy, and truth reveal our true faith, heavenly wisdom, and understanding.[344] The Holy Bible wants everyone to walk in love and kindness toward one another and to put away all hatred, bigotry, division, arguments, greed, and falsehood. The conduct of believers is to be holy and good towards others, even our enemies, just like our Heavenly Father is holy and good.[346]
Likewise, believers are called to encourage, pray, and build up others to remain faithful and obedient to the LORD God and His Son Jesus.[347] Believers of Jesus are to comfort the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient and tenderhearted with others with all humility and gentleness. Even more, believers of Jesus are to receive with peace and patience and not dispute and pass judgment over doubtful issues, such as dietary laws and ceremony days. The Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking but goodness, peace, and joy towards others in the Holy Spirit for the Sovereign LORD God’s glory and honor. The Sovereign LORD God is the Author and Giver of peace, not confusion and disorder.
Furthermore, believers of Jesus are called to submit and pray for their government and public officials and lead peaceful and quiet lives with godliness and truthfulness. The true King of heaven appoints government and public officials – the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth – to govern His world and carry out His punishment against wrongdoers. Additionally, believers are to pay their taxes and other government fees. Furthermore, believers are called to respect and esteem highly in love church leadership who labor for the LORD.[355] Church leadership is the caregiver of believers’ souls, and they will be called to give account to the Sovereign LORD God for their duties.[356] Finally, the Holy Scriptures teaches that leaders and public officials must honor and fear God and be smart, able-bodied, honest, fair, and not greedy for money (covetous, materialistic). The true King of heaven sees and knows everything, and He hears the prayers of His righteous people about government and public officials that mistreat the people and does evil and corruption.
Moreover, believers must abstain and withdraw from EVERY FORM of Satan’s evildoing, dark deeds, and sinful behavior. Believers of Jesus must STAY AWAY and not become yoked supporters of Satan’s dark workers who are selfish, deceivers, greedy, boastful, rebellious, unloving, and sexually immoral. The Holy Bible teaches that the light of believers must not join and share in fellowship and partnership with Satan’s dark workers of evil for wrongdoing and violence. Believers of Jesus are called to keep themselves pure and holy before the Sovereign LORD God. The Sovereign LORD God commands not to give false reports, rumors, or lies and not to join hands with evildoers.Believers of Jesus are called to shine and walk in the light, truth, forgiveness, and goodness of the LORD God found in Jesus and NOT follow Satan's false, evildoing, and lawless deeds.[363] Everyone that continually commits sin and evildoing is lawless and sin is lawlessness. However, everyone that calls upon the Name of Jesus is to depart from sin and evildoing because such people who follow sin and evildoing is in alliance with Satan.
In addition, believers of Jesus are called to have nothing to do with foolish controversies, quarreling, division, boasting, and evil speaking against another. Controversies breeds division, strife, and arguments. Such dark actions include following various myths, fables, and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. These evildoers are loudmouth boasters that show favoritism and cause division and strife amongst people for their greedy gain.[369] Believers of Jesus are called to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger and wrath because anger does not produce the righteousness of God.[370]
Instead of arguing and quarreling, believers of Jesus are to be gentle, show courtesy, and pursue goodness, faith, love, and peace toward others. Believers of Jesus are called to be peaceful and calm, not quick-tempered and angry.[372] The Sovereign LORD God instructed believers of Jesus to live quiet lives, mind their affairs, and work hard with their hands so they will depend upon no one except Him as LORD.[373] A servant of Jesus must not be quarrelsome and argumentative but gentle to all, patient, peaceful, kind, and able to teach. Besides, quarrels and arguments are often caused by selfishness, envy, and greed.[375]
Sadly, anyone who stirs up division, arguments, and quarrels are warped and sinful. Believers of Jesus are called to stay away from evil and vile people who grumble, complain, and argue against one another. Our grumbling, murmuring, and self-pity anger the LORD God, so be thankful because the Sovereign LORD God sees, knows, and hears EVERYTHING from His Glory Cloud – omnipresent. Therefore, do not tempt the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus nor test and exploit God’s patience, grace, and unending love with your grumbling, complaining, and ungratefulness. The Sovereign LORD God wants believers of Jesus to focus our hearts, minds, and cares on Him and heaven, not earthly lusts and pleasures, and be content with His provision.[379]
The Sovereign LORD God does not want believers of Jesus to use their mouths and speech for cursing, lies, filthy language, gossip, and profanity but for praise, worship, and thanksgiving to Him as their LORD and love for one another.[380] A tongue is a small member of the body, yet the tongue can cause blazing battles, fighting, and arguments. Our words can save us but can also condemn us and stain the entire body. The tongue can be filled with poison from our inner evil hearts. The Holy Bible teaches that if anyone wants to enjoy life, receive God’s blessings, and see good days, one must keep their lives and tongues from evildoing and do good to everyone. [384] The Holy Bible calls believers to let no corruption and evils proceed from their mouths but only good, uplifting, and encouraging words to the LORD and one another. Our words reveal our inner being – good or bad. Jesus promised that we would have to give an account for any idle and evil words spoken.
Believers of Jesus are called to do fairness, mercy, and good works in the world with integrity and NOT evil. A believer’s life must be without falsehood, lies, anger, stealing, corrupting talk, wrath, sexual immorality, lust, hatred, incest, porn, bitterness, jealousy, and gossip because all these evil actions grieve the Holy Spirit of God. Jesus taught us that we must ALWAYS forgive and show mercy towards others and not nurture hurt and anger in our hearts. If we will not forgive others, Jesus taught His Holy Father would not forgive our sins and trespasses.
The Holy Bible speaks about sexual holiness. Sanctification in Jesus required believers to abstain from lust and sexual immorality – sex outside the bonds of holy marriage. Sexual sins are serious in the LORD God’s eyes because such sexual sins damage your body internally, where the Holy Spirit of God lives. Believers in Jesus are called to present their hearts and bodies as instruments of goodness, holiness, and righteousness to the LORD God. Fornicators, adulterers, greedy, drunkards, fraudsters, and swindlers will be judged and avenged by the LORD God. Moreover, the Sovereign LORD God condemns sexual relations with close relatives.[395] For example, Reuben had sexual relations with his father Jacob’s wife, Bilah.[396] Bilah was Reuben’s stepmother and mother of his stepbrothers, Dan and Naphtali.[397] Because of Reuben’s sexual deeds with Bilah, his father Jacob (Israel) cursed Reuben at his death and took away his birthright as the firstborn son.[398]
Jesus instructs His holy disciples to lead a holy lifestyle within their families, humbly submitting to one another with a spirit of unity, kindness, and peace without self-centered living and self-ambitions in fear of God. Wives are called to submit and respect their husbands and manage their families’ households, and husbands are called to love and care for their wives and stay alert, self-controlled, and sober. The Holy Bible instructed men and women to be sober, not given too much wine, reverent, peaceable, sound in faith and love, and patient towards others. In addition, children are to obey, honor, and respect their fathers and mothers, as these actions are acceptable to the LORD God. Equally important, fathers and mothers are not to hurt, provoke, or harm their children but to discipline and train them in the ways and commandments of the Sovereign LORD God, which leads to life. As parents age, children are to care for and love their elderly parents. Believers of Jesus are to provide for their relatives and do good, especially those members of their household and family of believers.
Furthermore, employees and employers are called to obey and respect each other and work hard without complaining, thieving, and disputing but work as working unto Christ Jesus for His glory and honor. In addition, employers are called to treat their employees with fairness and goodness and not threaten, beat, or mistreat their workers, knowing that the Sovereign LORD God of heaven shows no partiality. Employers must not steal, abuse, or overwork employees but pay them fair and livable wages. Moreover, employees must be given a day every week for holy rest and worship to the Sovereign LORD God. Employees’ cries of mistreatment will reach the LORD God of heaven, and He will punish evil employers that harm and abuse their workers. The Sovereign LORD God wants His people to work with their hands diligently and not to become idle gossipers, troublemakers, and busybodies so His people can provide for themselves, their families, and others in need.[411]
In addition, believers of Jesus are to always and at all times continue in FAITHFUL PRAYER with thanksgiving in our hearts to the Sovereign LORD God and not be anxious and worried. Believers are to pray without ceasing and thank the Sovereign God in all circumstances – good times and bad times. The Sovereign LORD God promises to care, provide, and protect His children as we faithfully and humbly seek, love, and obey Him and confess our sins and wrongdoings. Therefore, believers are called to stay alert and sober with persistent thanksgiving and pray for themselves and other believers of Jesus who need help.[415] The prayers of the righteous have great power to heal the sick and hurting because the Sovereign LORD God is close to His righteous one.[416]
Moreover, the Holy Bible teaches godliness with contentment is a great gain. We did not bring anything into the world and cannot take anything out of the world. Besides, those who selfishly seek wealth, money, and riches often fall into Satan’s temptations and sin because they seek to rely upon money and not the Sovereign LORD God for ALLtheir help and needs. Jesus called EVERYONE to flee greed (covetousness and materialism) and seek FIRST the Kingdom of God and God’s righteousness, goodness, lovingkindness, truth, and peace above all else.[420] Righteousness, goodness, lovingkindness, truth, and peace describe the Sovereign LORD God and His Kingdom, and the Holy Bible wants EVERYONE to follow God’s good ways for His glory and not after riches and wealth.[421] Significantly, Jesus’s disciples are called to be rich in good works, generosity, and sharing with those in need. Everyone that seeks peace, goodness, and mercy and encourages others to do so finds life, righteousness, and honor from the Sovereign LORD God.
Furthermore, the Sovereign LORD God commands everyone to be loving, peaceful, patient, and kindly affectionate to one another and not to hate and seek revenge against others, particularly towards the stranger (alien), the widow, the poor, and the fatherless. Disciples of Jesus are to NEVER to repay and do evil for evil and insult for insult but ALWAYS seek to do good towards one another and live at peace with others and TRUST that the Sovereign LORD God will correct and judge all wrongs and evil actions by others.[425] The Holy Bible commands everyone to castoff and turn from dark deeds such as deceitfulness, anger, and revenge towards others and put on the armor of light and goodness, like Christ Jesus. For example, Simeon and his brother Levi sought revenge, lied and killed Shechem, and his entire city for having sexual relations with their sister Dinah. Because Simeon and Levi murdered and sought vengeance, their father Jacob (Israel) cursed them at his death.[427]
Finally, the New Testament has called ALL disciples of Jesus to rejoice in the Sovereign LORD God always and care and weep with those who are hurting.[428] The Holy Bible warns disciples of Jesus that those who seek and desire to live godly lives in Jesus will suffer hatred, tribulation, rejection, pain, and persecution, but Jesus said to endure suffering and rejoice because He has overcome the world.[429] Even Christ Jesus was hated and suffered although He committed no sin nor wrongdoing. Moreover, the Apostle Paul and many other servants of the LORD God were imprisoned, rejected, and suffered for the Gospel of God.[431] Also, Job of the Old Testament was tested and tempted by Satan, although he was blameless and did no wrong or sin.
The Holy Bible encourages believers not to grow weary in doing goodness and righteousness because the Sovereign LORD God will reward those who do good deeds and actions.[433] The Sovereign LORD God rewards each one for their good works, and deeds are done for His glory and honor, but He repays those who do wrong and evil.[434] As a reminder, Job was blessed and rewarded by the Sovereign LORD God because of his patience and perseverance during times of testing, persecution, and trials.[435] Everyone that suffers trials and temptations for righteousness and goodness will be blessed and rewarded in the Kingdom of God. The Sovereign LORD God promises to deliver His faithful people from such persecution as we pray and cry out to Him for help.[437] The Sovereign LORD God and His holy angels encamp around those who love, obey, and honor Him.[438] Blessed are the ones who always trust in the Sovereign LORD God and are persecuted for their goodness. The Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus are the Judge of all, and He is very compassionate and merciful to those who endure unjust suffering because of their goodness and righteousness.
Therefore, the Holy Bible encourages believers of Jesus to count it all joy when they meet trials and sufferings of various kinds for the Gospel. As believers of Jesus, our faith in God will be tempted and tested, but believers of Jesus must be patient and steadfast during times of suffering and trials. Instead of grumbling and complaining, the Holy Bible instructs believers of Jesus to pray and seek God.[443] Our trials, testing, and sufferings produce patience, perseverance, character, maturity, and hope. Even more important, everyone that endures unjust treatment, rejection, and hatred because of the Gospel will be saved and receive glory. Besides, the LORD God’s blessings come to those that are patient and steadfast.
During times of trouble, believers of Jesus are commanded to continue their praise and worship (service) to the LORD God by praying and singing hymns. Praise and worship of the LORD God with thanksgiving is an eternal requirementfor all people.[447] Every detail of our daily lives – words, deeds, and actions – must be done with thanksgiving and for the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus’s glory and honor.[448] Our faithful prayers and worship to the Sovereign LORD God bring His joy and deliverance that breaks any chains.[449] While bodily training and exercise are of some value, godliness is of tremendous importance as it holds the promise for the present and eternal life to come.[450]
K. Walking With Jesus
The New Testament commands Jesus’s disciples (believers of Jesus) to walk after the likeness and image of the Sovereign LORD God in true righteousness, goodness, and holiness as we were created from the beginning.[451] Through faith and obedience to Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives believers of Jesus a renewed spirit by the power of God to live godly and holy lives.[452] Faith and obedience to Jesus bring the Holy Spirit of God into believers’ hearts and minds so believers of Jesus can walk in all love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.[453] In other words, believers of Jesus receive a rebirth or a reset button by the Holy Spirit of God back to Genesis 1:26-28 and Genesis 5:1-2 to become a new creation from heaven.[454] The Holy Spirit of God sanctifies, baptizes, and cleanses believers of Jesus of their sins and gives them a new life and transformed hearts from heaven through repentance and faithin Jesus and His teaching.[455]
Whenever a person comes to Jesus by faith, that person becomes a new creation and receives a new beginning (a fresh start) and a new heart.[456] Through obedience and faith in His Son Jesus, the living LORD God renews and reborn believers in Jesus from heaven by His Holy Spirit.[457] This new and heavenly rebirth causes believers to live for goodness, true righteousness, and love and no longer for selfishness, sinning, and evildoing.[458] Only repentance and faith in Jesus bring a NEW LIFE from heaven by a baptism of the Holy Spirit, so our lives are no longer dominated by sin, wickedness, and evildoing.[459]
Likewise, believers are circumcised not by a physical procedure, but Jesus performs a spiritual circumcision – the cutting away our sinful nature from within our hearts when anyone comes to Jesus through repentance and faith in Him.[460]Only repentance and faith in Jesus as our Lord cause a breaking away from a life dominated by sin, selfishness, and evildoing.[461] Without Jesus, humans and their hearts are sinful and wicked.[462] However, the Holy Spirit of God comes through our faith in Jesus, cleanses our inward hearts, and guides believers in ways that please the Sovereign LORD God.[463] Through repentance and faith, Jesus baptizes and fills believers with the cleansing, washing (regeneration), and purifying fire of the Holy Spirit.[464]
The Sovereign LORD God found in His Son Jesus brings rebirth and renewal from heaven above and spiritual transformation through an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts through repentance and faith in His Son Jesus.[465]The Holy Spirit of God brings believers of Jesus a new spiritual life and heart from heaven above through our wholehearted repentance (turning from sin and evildoing) and faith (trust and dependence) in the Sovereign LORD God and His Son, Christ Jesus.[466] The coming of God’s Holy Spirit in a person’s life and heart through REPENTANCE(turning from sin and evildoing) and FAITH IN JESUS marks the beginning of salvation and rebirth from heaven.[467]This new and heavenly rebirth causes believers to live for goodness, true righteousness, and love and no longer for selfishness, sinning, and evildoing by the Holy Spirit living inside believers’ hearts.[468] Only repentance and faith in Jesus bring a RENEWED LIFE from heaven by a baptism of the Holy Spirit, so our lives are no longer dominated by sin, wickedness, and evildoing.[469] Everyone finds a RENEWED LIFE both NOW and for all ETERNITY through repentance and faith in the LORD God found in His Son Jesus.[470] Jesus is the Lifegiving Spirit from heaven because He is the Author and Savior of Life.[471] The new covenant with the Sovereign LORD God mediated by His Son Jesus brings new life and righteousness by the Holy Spirit of God.[472] By His Holy Spirit, the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus convert our lives and transform believers into the image and nature of God with ever-increasing glory.[473]
Because of Jesus, believers are called to be strong in the LORD and in the strength of the LORD’s power – the Holy Spirit and not succumb to Satan and dark deeds.[474] Jesus has called EVERYONE to follow and walk with Him in the same pattern of life as He walks.[475] Believers of Jesus are commanded to walk in the armor of God – truth, light, love, hope, goodness, peace, and above all faithfulness to the Sovereign LORD God and His Word.[476] As we walk and follow Jesus, Jesus’s disciples share in the Sovereign LORD God’s glory and grace through faith in His Son, Jesus.[477] Jesus and His Name have power and life from heaven.[478] Faith, worship, and obedience of the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Christ Jesus bring the Holy Spirit’s power that breaks every chain of depression, defeat, and hopelessness and brings His peace and love.
Additionally, the Holy Spirit empowers believers of Jesus to live in the newness of life and to serve the LORD God’s purposes and plans with joy in His Kingdom NOW and the Kingdom’s fullness at Jesus’ Second Coming. Through faith in Jesus, believers die with Jesus, are raised to new life, and are united with God the Father and His Son Jesus to produce good fruit and actions.[480] This new life by the Holy Spirit fills believers with righteousness and holiness from the LORD God and breaks the power of sin and selfishness over our lives and hearts by giving believers self-control.[481]The Holy Spirit is God’s grace and divine power that provides believers with Jesus’s self-control and victory over our sinful desires to live godly lives.[482]
The Sovereign LORD God is filled with compassion, forgiveness, mercy, goodness, and love.[483] Because of the Sovereign LORD God’s unfailing love and tender mercies, He cleanses and purifies every one of sins and wrongdoing by His Holy Spirit as we humbly repent (turn from) our sins and seek Him and His forgiveness.[484] The Sovereign LORD God loves you so much that He gave His Son Jesus as our Savior to become the final offering and sacrifice to atone (propitiate) and cleanse us from all our sins through faith in Him.[485]
Let ALL believers of Jesus walk in truth (integrity), love (mercy), and goodness (righteousness) like Jesus, and stay away from all Satan’s evil and wrongdoing.[486] Importantly, believers of Jesus must keep fighting the GOOD FIGHT and KEEP THE FAITH by letting our light shine daily with good deeds for God’s glory. Nothing is impossible with the Sovereign LORD God, as He can do ALL things. Do good in the world and trust the Sovereign LORD God and His Son Jesus!
References
ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).
Holy Bible, New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1982).
New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992).
NIV, KJV, NASB, Amplified Parallel Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020).
NLT Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2008).
Douglas, J.D. and Tenney, Merrill. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1989).
Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).
