A. Overview
The remaining question of the Christian faith is whether believers in Jesus must obey and keep the Old Testament Law of God and the covenants. The New Testament teaches that Jesus is the end of the Law because righteousness (justification), forgiveness, and salvation come through faith and belief alone in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior.[1] Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead, the Creator of the world, and Head of all principality and power.[2] All wisdom, treasures, mystery, and God's knowledge are found in Jesus.[3] Jesus alone is the stairway and vine to heaven to allow EVERYONE to reach heaven and become united with His Holy Father, the living LORD God of heaven and earth.[4]
Moreover, Jesus bridged the chasm and gap between the LORD God and humankind.[5] Because Jesus bridged the chasm to the living LORD God, humanity does not have to approach the LORD God through angels, other gods, regulations, or superior behavior.[6] Everyone can come directly and boldly to the living LORD God through His Son, Christ Jesus.[7]
One of the clear messages of the Holy Bible is that Jesus fulfilled and accomplished the purpose for which the Law of God was given.[8] The Law of God was given through Moses, but God’s grace (undeserved favor) and truth came through the LORD God’s only begotten Son, Jesus.[9] Through faith in Christ Jesus, believers receive the LORD God’s grace upon grace – spiritual blessings.[10] Furthermore, believers of Jesus are reconciled and adopted by the Sovereign LORD God into His family and receive access to His life, eternal grace, good fruit, and mercy.[11] Our faith in Jesus joins, unites, and reconciles believers as one to Jesus and His Father by the Holy Spirit of God.[12] The fullness of God – the Father, Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit – comes to live and dwell inside believers’ hearts and lives, and believers of Jesus become children of God and Abraham’s seed through faith and obedience in Jesus.[13]
B. Rituals, Sacrifices, and Offerings
The LORD God gave His Son Jesus as the Passover Lamb of God to become the FINAL and holy sacrifice for ALL SINSonce for all thereby voiding and nullifying the Old Testament rituals, offerings, and sacrifices for sins.[14] Jesus became the FINAL sacrifice for sins when He offered Himself to His Holy Father for the sins of the world.[15] The LORD God sent His only begotten Son Jesus as the ultimate sacrifice that atones (propitiates) for our sins and the sins of ALL the world.[16] Jesus entered the Most Holy Place in heaven, and He offered not the blood of goats and calves but His blood to His Holy Father as the ending and superior sacrifice for the sins and redemption of the world.[17] Through His sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross, Jesus made Himself the complete and conclusive sacrifice for sins.[18] Jesus offered Himself without spot or blemish to His Holy Father to purify, wash, and sanctify believers from dead works.[19] Therefore, Jesus fulfilled the Law, and EVERYONE is declared righteous and saved by the LORD God’s grace through FAITH AND BELIEF in Jesus and His sacrificial death for our sins.[20] Jesus is our Redeemer and Savior.[21]
The writer of Hebrews wanted everyone to know about the superiority of Jesus and the new covenant by the Holy Spirit between the LORD God and humanity because of Jesus’s sacrificial death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.[22]The word covenant means the same as testament: an agreement between God and humanity.[23] Some biblical scholars call the Pentateuch the Law of God or the old covenant.[24] The Pentateuch is the first five books of the Holy Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Many leading biblical scholars believe Moses wrote the Pentateuch. Other biblical scholars consider the entire Old Testament – the Pentateuch, Psalms, and the Prophets – the Law of God or the “old covenant.”[25]
In the Old Testament, the LORD God called for Tabernacle and then Temple centered worship with various rituals, offerings, ceremonies, cleanness rules, and sacrifices for the atonement and forgiveness of sins.[26] The description of the Tabernacle (also known as Tent of Meeting), offerings, various rituals, and sacrifices take up most of the Pentateuch – the first five books of the Holy Bible. Rituals and sacrifices are as old as Cain and Abel, Noah, and the patriarchs – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – from the book of Genesis.[27] Significantly, the LORD God with the covenant at Mount Sinai defined the nature of various sacrifices, rituals, offerings, and ceremonies He required. These multiple requirements were given by the LORD God by His servant Moses starting with Exodus 19:1 through all of Leviticus and up to Numbers 10:11 when the ancient Israelites left Mount Sinai and marched towards the Promised Land – Canaan. In sin and guilt offerings, the sacrificial animal provided a way for the LORD God to forgive sin. The animal died in place of the sinner and as a substitute for his sin. The animals shed blood, and death meant life for the offeror.[28] Grain and fellowship offerings expressed gratitude and thankfulness to the LORD God for His provision. Burnt offerings expressed devotion and wholehearted dedication to the LORD God.[29] The foundation of the Pentateuch (first covenant) was wholehearted obedience to the living LORD God and covenant.[30] The sacrificial system aided in obedience and godly living.
Notably, the New Testament book of Hebrews devoted only ten (10) verses to the Tabernacle and the various Old Testament offerings, ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices.[31] Hebrews uses the word “copy” to describe the images and rituals of the Old Testament: Passover feasts, sacrifices, and other priestly duties.[32] According to the book of Hebrews, the Old Testament Tabernacle and the various Old Testament offerings, ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices were copies, but Jesus is the original.[33] These activities of gifts, diets, sacrifices, and festivals were a foreshadowing of the things that came with Jesus.[34] The Tabernacle, along with the various Old Testament offerings, ceremonies, rituals, and sacrifices, were mere copies, shadows, and expressions of the heavenly reality that came with Jesus. These Old Testament objects were now obsolete by Jesus’s coming to earth and Jesus’s sacrificial death.[35] The author of Hebrews explained how Jesus revealed once and for all the true meaning of these various Jewish traditions – sacrifices, laws, blood, the Tabernacle, the priest, and the Day of Atonement.[36] Because of Jesus’s life and sacrificial deaths, the Old Testament sacrifices and rituals are no longer necessary, and these old sacrifices and rituals are finished.[37] Jesus has obsolete the old system as He obtained a better and more superior covenant than the old one.[38]
C. Jesus Is Our Apostle and Priest
Because of Jesus, we no longer must approach the LORD God through a priest, as the ancient Israelites did. Jesus is our Great High Priest and Apostle, and Jesus gives access to His Holy Father through faith and obedience to Him.[39] Jesus’s sacrificial death caused the curtain (or veil) in the Temple to be torn in two from top to bottom.[40] In the Old Testament, a massive thick curtain in the Tabernacle and then Temple sealed off the Most Holy Place, and no one except the high priest was allowed into the Presence of the LORD God.[41] The high priest was only permitted into the Most Holy Place once a year on a special day – the Day of Atonement.[42] The author of Hebrews looked at this miraculously torn curtain as symbolic: it meant the immediate access to the LORD God was made possible by Jesus’s sacrificial death at Calvary.[43] Jesus’s once-for-all Sacrifice through His precious blood now gives access, forgiveness, and salvation to EVERYONE who trusts in Him with wholehearted love, devotion, and dedication.[44] Now everyone can enter the Holy Presence of the living LORD God with faith in the blood of Jesus through the veil, that is Jesus’s flesh.[45]
As our Great High Priest and Apostle, Jesus made the teachings about the Old Testament Tabernacle and the various rituals, sacrifices, ceremonies, and offerings obsolete.[46] Instead of many offerings and sacrifices of the Old Testament, Jesus made only one sacrifice – Himself thereby offering free and complete forgiveness for our sins through faith in Him.[47] Jesus appeared in His Holy Father’s Presence in heaven, and He offered Himself to His Father as the final sacrifice for sin.[48] After Jesus offered Himself as the final sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of His Holy Father.[49] Therefore, believers of Jesus can now enter into the Presence of the living LORD God with sincere hearts fully trusting in Jesus as Jesus has forgiven and cleansed our sins and guilty conscious by the washing of the Holy Spirit of God.[50]
D. Jesus Is Our Tabernacle and Temple
Jesus is God’s new Tabernacle and Temple that gives EVERYONE peace, grace, and access to the living LORD God through faith and trust in Him.[51] John the Gospel writer presented Jesus as the new Temple and Tabernacle of God and the center of worship of God’s people.[52] In the Old Testament, the prophet Ezekiel predicted the living LORD God would come and “tabernacle” amongst His people.[53] One of the primary themes of John’s Gospel is that the living LORD God of heaven has once again visited earth through His Son, Jesus and lived or tabernacle amongst His people on earth.[54] In the Greek Bible translation of John’s Gospel, the Word or Logos became flesh and He “tabernacle” amongst humans.[55] In other words, Jesus was “God with us” or “Immanuel,” and the LORD God through His Son Jesus lived amongst humans on earth.[56] John’s Gospel referenced Jesus’s “I AM” speeches. The Gospel writer John wanted to present Jesus as the Great “I AM” – Yahweh, who had come from His Holy Father in heaven.[57]
E. Moral Law of God
Notably, the New Testament teaches our faith in the LORD God and His Son Jesus does not mean we neglect, void, or ignore the Law of God and His covenants. Our faith in Jesus does not void nor eliminate our obedience to God’s teachings.[58] Jesus TAUGHT that until heaven and earth disappear not the smallest letter nor stroke will disappear from the Old Testament until EVERYTHING is accomplished.[59] The Holy Scriptures are from heaven and cannot be broken but stand forever.[60] Although the Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on Calvary’s Cross canceled the Old Testament sacrifice system contained in the ceremonial laws, Jesus’s death did not nullify and cancel God’s moral law (e.g., the Ten Commandments).[61] Jesus taught that the moral standards expressed in the Law, Psalms, and the Prophets had NOT been abolished nor canceled.[62] Believers of Jesus are still bound to obey the MORAL and ETHICAL requirements of the Old Testament.[63] While on earth, Jesus the Word taught that the MORAL Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms are still in full force and not overturned.[64]
With the coming of Jesus, the New Testament returned to the Old Testament moral teaching.[65] Jesus’s teaching was His Holy Father’s teaching and commandments given in the Law, Psalms, and the Prophets.[66] Notably, Jesus was united and One with His Holy Father – the LORD God of heaven and earth.[67] Jesus’s Name is the Word of God, and He is God with us.[68] Christ Jesus is the Word of God incarnate – human flesh.[69] Jesus obeyed and spoke the words and commandments of His Father – the Sovereign LORD God of heaven and earth.[70] Significantly, Jesus ALWAYS obeyedHis Father – the living LORD God, and He obeyed the Old Testament teachings.[71]
During His public ministry, Jesus often quoted from Old Testament in His teachings as a Jewish Rabbi.[72] For example, Jesus taught that we must not murder, commit adultery, not steal, not testify falsely, or lie, cheat or defraud anyone, always honor our father and mother, and not be greedy and selfish.[73] Some biblical scholars will note that Jesus’s teaching echoes the Deuteronomic demands of wholehearted obedience to the LORD God and His commandments found in the Law.[74] Jesus also demanded obedience to the commandments of His Holy Father – the LORD God.[75] Love like faith cannot be separated from obedience.[76]
F. Law and Our Hearts
Remarkably, the New Testament writers emphasized the Holy Spirit’s role in writing God’s moral Law (commandments) on our hearts and thus making everyone aware and sensitive to God’s moral Law.[77] In the Old Testament, the holy prophets predicted the living LORD God would circumcise our hearts and place His Law inside our hearts through His Holy Spirit so that we will know and obey Him as their God.[78] In other words, the living LORD God Himself would internally give His people the desire and heart to obey His Law through His Holy Spirit by our faith in His Son Jesus’s sacrificial death and resurrection.[79]
Under the new covenant, the LORD God’s eternal Law is written on our minds and hearts by the transforming ministry of the Holy Spirit of God and no longer on external stone tablets or in a formal code through our faith in Jesus.[80] The Holy Spirit of God activates, transforms, and empowers our internal hearts, minds, and motives, not only making us want to obey God’s righteous Law but helps and teaching us to obey God and His righteous and good Law – the Ten Commandments.[81]
Through our faith and obedience to Jesus, believers become the Temple of God where the Holy Spirit of God lives.[82]As we come to His Son Jesus, the LORD God builds up believers as a spiritual house to become a holy priesthood for His glory and away from darkness.[83] Moreover, the living LORD God lives and dwells amongst believers that love and obeys Him and His Son Jesus.[84]
G. Law of God
The Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:1-17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6-21 summarized the Old Testament and the Law of God. The Ten Commandments are called many names in the Holy Bible: The Tablets of the Law, the Covenant, Tablets of Stone, Tablets of the Covenant, Ten Words, the Decalogue, and the Testimony.[85]
The Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms are from the Sovereign LORD God and are summarized in the Ten Commandments.[86] The Ten Commandments are the eternal commandments of the living LORD God spoke to Israel at Exodus 20:1-17. Then, the Ten Commandments were again repeated by Moses at Deuteronomy 5:6–21 before the people of Israel entered the Promised Land of God. The Book of the Covenant at Exodus 19:1-24:18 and the Holiness Code of Leviticus 18:1-22:33 further explained the LORD God’s eternal commandments.[87] The book of Deuteronomy also explained and confirmed the Ten Commandments. Many scholars call the book of Deuteronomy the “Second Law.” Joshua reaffirmed the Ten Commandments in Joshua 24.
Importantly, the Ten Commandments stand at the head of the Old Testament. The Old Testament contains many additional laws explaining how the Ten Commandments' broad principles applied to worshipping God, governing the nation, individuals’ behaviors, and social interaction with others. The Ten Commandments defined the life of goodness and mercy the LORD God called EVERYONE to live and summarized the Holy Bible’s basic requirements – to love and obey the LORD God and love one another.[88] The living LORD God wanted a world without rebellion against parents, murder, senseless killings, sexual sins, fornication, adultery, lies, fraud, corruption, falsehood, robbery, theft, stealing, envy, and jealousy.[89] In the final words of the Old Testament, the LORD God through His prophet Malachi instructed Israel (and the church) to ALWAYS remember the Law given at Mount Sinai through His servant Moses.[90]
The living LORD God declared that obedience to His commandments revealed our wisdom and holiness from Him.[91]The Holy Bible teaches that circumcision or uncircumcision was not essential but keeping God's commandments was important.[92] Obedience to the LORD God and holy living lead to life.[93] Holy Bible teaches that the LORD God shows His eternal mercy to everyone who loves Him and keeps His commandments.[94] The Law revealed the LORD God’s Name and nature – goodness, truth, patience, and mercy.[95]
Moreover, obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments brings His salvation, life, and blessings.[96]Even more, obedience to the Sovereign LORD God and His commandments reveals our true love for Him.[97] The Sovereign LORD God and His commandments are eternal, holy, good, and never change.[98] The Law of God given through Moses is good and holy.[99] Many Christians today see the Law of God negatively, but the Law is a gracious gift of God.[100] The Law of God guides our daily lives, and importantly the Law of God is a source of wisdom and blessings.[101] The LORD God gave His Law for lawless, rebellious, and disobedient individuals who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, sexual immoral, those who practice homosexuality (sodomites), enslavers, liars, and perjurers.[102]
The Ten Commandments are the words of the LORD God’s covenant given at Mount Sinai (Horeb) – the Mount Sinai covenant.[103] Notably, the terms “covenant” and “Ten Commandments” are synonymous – one and the same.[104] At Mount Sinai, the LORD God called the Ten Commandments the Law of God – Divine Law.[105] The LORD God personally spoke His Ten Commandments from His glory cloud through His servant Moses from Mount Sinai (Horeb), and then He wrote the Ten Commandments on two stone tablets with His finger.[106]
The ancient Israelites carried the Ten Commandments inside the Ark of the Covenant during their wilderness wandering.[107] The prophet Moses placed the Ten Commandments inside the Ark of the Covenant, and the Ten Commandments remained in the Ark of the Covenant until the time of King Solomon.[108] The Ark of the Covenant, also called the Ark of the Testimony, was the only piece of furniture inside the Most Holy Place – Holiest of All – within the Tabernacle, also called the Tent of Meeting.[109] The author of Hebrew added that the Ark of the Covenant also contained along with the Ten Commandments a “golden urn holding the manna and Aaron’s staff that budded” from Israel’s wilderness wandering.[110] Notably, the book of Revelation states that God’s Temple in heaven contained the Ark of the Covenant.[111]
H. New Testament and the Law
The New Testament’s Sermon on the Mount and Sermon on the Plains taught by the Lord Jesus Christ affirmed, repeated, and summarized the demands and meaning of the Ten Commandments – the Law of God.[112] Jesus confirmed the validity of the Ten Commandments at the Sermon on the Mount and later in His teaching.[113] The New Testament explicitly reinforces all the Ten Commandments except the Sabbath commandment.
The New Testament referred to Jesus as the great Prophet like Moses, who knew God face to face because of His teaching.[114] The living LORD God commanded everyone to listen and obey His Son, Jesus.[115] Jesus is the Second Adam, and He came down in bodily form from heaven to empower believers with the life-giving Holy Spirit of God.[116]Unlike Adam and Eve who disobeyed God, Jesus succeeded where Adam and Eve failed.[117] Jesus NEVER rebelled and disobeyed His Father – the LORD God, and He fully obeyed His Holy Father even in hunger, weakness, testing, and suffering.[118] Jesus overcame Satan’s temptations and allurement by wholehearted obedience to the Law of God and trustful dependence on His Father – the LORD God Almighty.[119] Importantly, Jesus is the Redeemer from God promised to Adam and Eve, and He has defeated Satan and saved God’s people.[120]
During Jesus’ public ministry, Jesus was committed to obeying and speaking the will of His Holy Father – the LORD God of heaven and earth.[121] Jesus taught that His believers must also patiently obey, believe, and cling to His and His Father’s word with our whole hearts.[122] In fact, Jesus declared that everyone who does His Father’s will is His brother, sister, and friend.[123] The will of God is to obey His commandments.[124]
Jesus NEVER ignored nor overlooked sin! During Jesus’s public ministry on earth, the Jewish scribes and Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus that violated the Law by committing adultery (sex outside marriage).[125] Committing adultery required death and judgment.[126] Jesus rebuked those who wanted to condemn and stone the woman, and He told the woman that He did not charge her.[127] Importantly, Jesus informed the accused woman to sin no more.[128]
Significantly, the New Testament said the Law of God is holy and pleasing and defines what sin is.[129] The Holy Scriptures call everyone to delight, study the Law of the LORD and meditate on the Law night and day.[130] These sacred writings of the Law make one righteous, good, and wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.[131] The Law of the LORD is always right and good, and the Law helps everyone understand how to live.[132] Jesus encouraged everyone to keep and obey the Law of the LORD and become DOERS of the Word, not just hearers.[133] Doers of the Word of God will be saved and justified.[134]
Furthermore, the New Testament writers repeated the Ten Commandments for the church to obey in their daily lives.[135]Most of the New Testament Apostle Paul’s teachings and writings affirmed the Ten Commandments' moral and ethical teachings.[136] The Apostle Paul confirmed the Ten Commandments in his teaching to the early church and loved the Law of God.[137] According to the Apostle Paul, the Law of God is NOT sinful, but the Law revealed what sin is.[138]For example, the Old Testament teaches that idolatry (worshiping other gods), disobedience to one’s parents, murder, lying, stealing, adultery, greed, and jealousy are all sinful, evil, and wicked in God’s eyes.[139] The Apostle Paul called the Law of God holy and good.[140]
Even more, the Apostle Paul noted that the Law of God is spiritual, but humans were powerless and weak to obey God and His Law without Jesus and the Holy Spirit.[141] The Apostle Paul taught that through faith in Jesus believers receive grace and the Holy Spirit’s power to obey God’s Law so they will not walk by their sinful and fleshly nature.[142] OnlyJesus gives EVERYONE through faith in Him a NEW LIFE from heaven through His baptism of the Holy Spirit, so our lives are no longer dominated by sin and evildoing.[143] Jesus baptizes and fills everyone who believes in Him with the cleansing and purifying fire of the Holy Spirit.[144] Through faith in Jesus, WE FIND an ABUNDANT, SPIRIT-FILLED, and a RESTORED LIFE both NOW and for all ETERNITY.[145] The New Testament declare that God gives us life now and eternal life, and this heavenly life is through faithfulness and obedience to His Son, Jesus.[146]
I. Legalism
Importantly, Jesus condemned legalism, syncretism (mixing various religions), and other man-made rules, ideology, and philosophies. These various man-made rules, philosophies, and restrictions have an appearance of wisdom and religion with their self-imposed regulations, false humility, and neglect of the body, but they have no value and power in changing our evil inner hearts.[147] Legalism included such issues as diet, festival days, and religious ceremonies.[148] Such activities appeared spiritual and made people feel more superior to others.[149] These additional rules and regulations are not found in God’s Word.[150] Legalism and man-made rules do not keep the Law of God, but they are sham and hypocritical actions that break the Law of God.[151] Many man-made rules and philosophies cause people to break and violate the express commandments of God, and they become obstacles to obeying the LORD God’s commandments.[152]
Some Jewish scribes during the intertestamental period and during the time of Jesus formulated numerous man-made rules and restrictions for conduct. These Jews, particularly the Pharisees, emphasized complete obedience to the Law and their extra oral interpretations of the Law. These extra oral interpretations of the Law were often called traditions of the elders.[153] The Pharisees added extrabiblical man-made laws and rules to those found in the Law of God – the Ten Commandments.[154] These additional man-made rules resulted in different forms of interpretations and traditions which supposedly expanded and clarified the written the Law of Moses. These additional man-made laws were taught and passed on both orally and in written form.[155]
Jesus condemned outward and external forms of righteousness such as prayer, giving, and fasting to receive human applause and praise.[156] God’s Kingdom is not drinking, eating, and festivals, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit that comes through FAITH FIRST in the LORD God and His Son, Jesus.[157] The LORD God has always called EVERYONE to put away evildoing and rebellion and to seek goodness, justice, and mercy towards others beforeour offerings, rituals, sacrifices, and Sabbaths.[158]
J. Love God and Love People
Jesus taught that the entire Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms can be summarized by first loving the LORD God with ALL our hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and second loving our neighbor as ourselves.[159] Notably, Jesus quoted from the Old Testament in giving the greatest and the first commandment of the entire Holy Bible. According to Jesus, the first and greatest of all the commandments is to know that the LORD our God is one LORD, and we are to LOVE the LORD our God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength and energy.[160] The first and great commandment captures the idea of a total and wholehearted devotion to the living LORD God and includes the duty to obey God’s commandments.[161] Jesus quoted Deuteronomy when teaching the first and greatest commandment of the Holy Bible.[162]
Next, Jesus taught the second greatest commandment is to love and care for our neighbor as ourselves with all mercy.[163] Love does not hurt and harm others.[164] Jesus wanted everyone to be good towards one another, even if they were of a different race or a foreigner.[165] Again, with the second great commandment, Jesus quoted from Leviticus 19:18 of the Old Testament. As taught in the Old Testament, Jesus wanted everyone not to hate nor bear vengeance, bitterness, and anger against another person in our heart but to love one another from a pure heart.[166] True love from heaven above lasts forever.[167]
The Gospel of Mark noted that our wholehearted love, obedience, and passion for the LORD God and love for others as we love ourselves are more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.[168] In fact, Jesus taught those who love God and love others are close to entering God’s Kingdom and will have life.[169] Jesus taught that God wants mercy, compassion, and forgiveness toward others more than religion and sacrifice.[170] As a Jewish Rabbi, Jesus’ teaching about mercy and fairness towards others comes directly from the Old Testament prophets and describes what God wants.[171]
Since the Old Testament, God announced through His prophets that He required wholehearted faithfulness, love, and obedience to Him and mercy and fairness towards others more than our rituals, religion, tithes, Sabbaths, and sacrifices.[172] Obedience to the living LORD God and love for one another are more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices, leading to entrance into God’s Kingdom.[173] Moreover, the Apostle Paul wrote that loving and caring for others is the best and most excellent way of life.[174] The Apostle Paul encouraged everyone not to seek one’s own good but seek the good of God and others first.[175] Even our spiritual gifts from God are for the good of others and to build up the church.[176]
A genuine and loving relationship with the living LORD God and His Son Jesus demands our wholehearted devotion and faith that yields humble obedience as well as mercy and kindness towards others.[177] Sacrifices representing repentance and faith could repair a breach caused by sin, but sacrifices are never a substitute for a life lived by obedience to God and His Word.[178] In summary, the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and Psalms, along with the rest of the Holy Scriptures, call everyone to FAITH and OBEDIENCE with our whole heart to the living LORD God and His commandments.[179] The LORD God calls everyone to be good, forgiving, and truthful towards one another and live for His glory.[180]
[1] See e.g., John 3:15-18, 36; John 20:30-31; Acts 2:36; Acts 4:12; Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38-39; Romans 1:3-4; Romans 3:24; Romans 8:3-4; Romans 10:4, 9-13; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 3:13, 24; Galatians 4:4-5; Ephesians 2:8-9, 15-16; Colossians 2:14.
[2] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; John 1:1-5, 14; John 10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:9-11, 20; John 17:11, 21; John 20:30-31Romans 8:38-39; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:20-21; Philippians 2:9-10; Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 1:2-3.
[3] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 1:24, 30; Ephesians 1:8; Colossians 2:2-3.
[4] See e.g., John 1:18, 51; John 14:6; John 15:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19.
[5] See e.g., Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 3:12; Colossians 1:20-22; Hebrews 4:16.
[6] See e.g., Colossians 2:18, 20-23.
[7] See e.g., John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19-20.
[8] See e.g., Romans 8:3-4; Romans 10:4.
[9] See e.g., Exodus 20:1; John 1:14, 17-18; John 14:6.
[10] See e.g., John 1:16; Romans 5:21.
[11] See e.g., John 1:12-13, 16-18; John 10:10; John 15:5-6; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Romans 5:1-2, 10-11; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:14-16.
[12] See e.g., John 17:2-3, 21-23; Romans 5:10-11; Romans 6:6; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Galatians 2:20-21.
[13] See e.g., Luke 8:20-21; John 1:12-13; John 14:23; John 17:3, 20-23; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 3:19; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 John 4:12-13, 15; 1 John 5:1.
[14] See e.g., Isaiah 53:10, 12; Matthew 1:21; John 1:29, 36; John 3:16; Romans 6:10; Romans 8:3; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12, 26-28; Hebrews 10:11-14; 1 Peter 2:22-24.
[15] See e.g., John 1:29, 36; Hebrews 7:26-28; Hebrews 9:26-28; Hebrews 10:12-14; 1 Peter 2:24-25.
[16] See e.g., John 1:1-2, 14, 18, 29; John 3:16; John 4:10, 42; Romans 3:25-26; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14.
[17] See e.g., Mark 10:45; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:12-14, 22, 24-28; Hebrews 10:4; 1 Peter 1:18-19; Revelation 1:5; cf. Exodus 12:5; Leviticus 16:16-19.
[18] See e.g., Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 26:28; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 6:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 5:25-27; Hebrews 9:12, 15, 26, 28.
[19] See e.g., John 17:17-19; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12, 14; Hebrews 10:10, 22; Hebrews 13:12.
[20] See e.g., Romans 1:16-17; Acts 13:38-39; Acts 15:9-11; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 10:9-13; Ephesians 2:8-9.
[21] See e.g., Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:10-11; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:12.
[22] See e.g., Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:5-6; Hebrews 7:22; ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), p. 2359.
[23] New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1324.
[24] ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), p. 35.
[25] Id.
[26] See e.g., Leviticus 4:1-5:13; Leviticus 6:8-7:38; Leviticus 11:1-15:33; Leviticus 16:1-34.
[27] See Genesis 4:3-5; Genesis 8:20; Genesis 15:9-10; Genesis 28:18-22.
[28] See e.g., Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22.
[29] Douglas, J.D. and Tenney, Merrill. NIV Compact Dictionary of the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1989), p. xxvi.
[30] See Exodus 19:5-6; Exodus 23:22; Exodus 24:7; Deuteronomy 10:12-13.
[31] See Hebrews 9:1-10.
[32] New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1331.
[33] New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1331.
[34] See e.g., Colossians 2:2, 16-17; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 9:9-10; Hebrews 10:1.
[35] Hebrews 8:5-6; Hebrews 9:23-24; Hebrews 10:1; see also Exodus 25:40; Colossians 2:16-17.
[36] New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1331.
[37] See e.g., John 19:30; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 10:11-14.
[38] See e.g., Hebrews 7:22; Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:11.
[39] See e.g., Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 7:27.
[40] See Matthew 27:50-51.
[41] See Exodus 26:31-35; 2 Chronicles 3:14.
[42] See Exodus 30:10; Leviticus 16:3-34; Hebrews 9:2-7.
[43] See Hebrews 9:11-12; Hebrews 10:19-22.
[44] See e.g., Acts 4:12; Acts 10:43; Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 9:12-14, 26-28.
[45] See e.g., John 14:6; Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 9:8, 12; Hebrews 10:19-20.
[46] See Hebrews 3:1; Hebrews 8:8-13; Hebrews 10:21.
[47] See e.g., Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 10:1-18.
[48] See Hebrews 9:24-28.
[49] Hebrews 10:12-14; see also Mark 16:19; Luke 22:69; Colossians 3:1-2; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2.
[50] See e.g., Romans 3:24-25; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 3:5-6; Hebrews 9:12, 14; Hebrews 10:22.
[51] See e.g., Ezekiel 37:26-27; Zechariah 6:12-13; John 1:14, 16; John 2:19-21; John 14:6; Romans 5:1-2, 10-11; Ephesians 2:18-20; Ephesians 3:12.
[52] See John 1:14; John 2:19-21.
[53] Ezekiel 37:26-28; see also Leviticus 26:11-12; Revelation 21:3.
[54] See John 1:14, 18, 51; John 3:15-16; John 5:37; John 6:38-41, 51; John 12:44-46.
[55] John 1:1-3, 14; see also Ezekiel 37:27-28. At Jesus’ Second Coming, God the Father and His Son Jesus will permanently live amongst us on earth (e.g., see Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:3).
[56] See e.g., Matthew 1:23; Colossians 2:9-10.
[57] See e.g., John 6:35; John 8:12, 24, 28, 58; John 9:5; John 10:7, 9, 11, 14; John 11:25; John 13:19; John 14:6, 9-12; John 15:1, 5.
[58] Romans 3:31; see also e.g., Psalm 119:126-127.
[59] See e.g., Isaiah 55:11; Matthew 5:18; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 16:17; Luke 21:33.
[60] See e.g., Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8; John 10:34-35; 1 Peter 1:23, 25.
[61] See Hebrews 8:13; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 10:9.
[62] See e.g., Matthew 5:17-20; Romans 3:31.
[63] See e.g., Leviticus 18:1-22:33.
[64] See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:2, 10; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 5:17-20; Matthew 8:4; Matthew 15:3-9, 18-20; Mark 7:6-13, 21-23; Luke 16:16-17, 29-31; Luke 18:18-20, 31; Romans 3:31.
[65] See e.g., Matthew 5:1-7:29.
[66] See e.g., Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:37-40; John 12:49-50; John 14:24, 31; John 15:10; John 17:8, 14.
[67] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4; Zechariah 14:9; John 10:30, 38; John 12:45; John 14:9-11, 20; John 17:11, 21-23; John 20:30-31; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6; 2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 4:5-6; Hebrews 1:3.
[68] See e.g., Matthew 1:23; John 1:1, 14, 18; Revelation 19:13.
[69] See e.g., John 1:1-3, 14; Revelation 19:13.
[70] See e.g., John 8:27-30, 55; John 12:49-50; John 14:24, 31; John 15:10; John 17:8, 14.
[71] See e.g., Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 1:32; Luke 4:4, 8, 12; see also Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; Deuteronomy 8:3.
[72] See e.g., Matthew 15:1-10, quoting Isaiah 29:13.
[73] See e.g., Matthew 15:19-20; Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:18-23; Luke 10:25-28; quoting from Exodus 20:12-17; Leviticus 19:3, 9-18; Deuteronomy 5:16-21.
[74] See e.g., Deuteronomy 5:10; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 7:9; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 11:13, 22.
[75] John 14:15, 21, 23; John 15:10; see also 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 3:22, 24; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6; Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12.
[76] See e.g., James 2:14-26.
[77] See e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34; Hebrews 8:8-13.
[78] See e.g., Jeremiah 31:31-34; Jeremiah 32:39-40; Ezekiel 11:18-21; Ezekiel 36:24-27; cf. Hebrews 8:8-13.
[79] See e.g., Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:20-21.
[80] 2 Corinthians 3:3; Hebrews 8:10-11; Hebrews 10:16-17; Hebrews 13:20; see also Jeremiah 31:31-34.
[81] See e.g., John 14:16-17, 26; John 16:13; Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 2:27.
[82] See e.g., Ezekiel 37:26-28; John 17:21-23; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16.
[83] See e.g., Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10.
[84] See e.g., Leviticus 26:3, 11-12.
[85] See e.g., Exodus 24:12; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:9-17; Deuteronomy 10:3-4.
[86] See e.g., Exodus 19:9, 16-17; Exodus 34:1, 27-28; Deuteronomy 4:10, 13; Deuteronomy 5:2, 6-22; Deuteronomy 10:1-4.
[87] See Holiness Code at Leviticus 18:1-22:33.
[88] Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; see also Exodus 21:12; Exodus 22:20-22; Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Deuteronomy 30:6; 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:11-17; Hosea 6:6; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 5:43; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 19:16-19; Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Luke 10:25-28; John 13:34-35; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; James 1:27; James 2:8; 2 Peter 1:7-8.
[89] See e.g., Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
[90] See e.g., Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 4:9-10; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 5:17; Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31; Romans 2:13.
[91] See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:5-6; Deuteronomy 6:1-2; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14.
[92] See e.g., John 14:15, 21-23; 1 Corinthians 7:18-19; Galatians 6:2, 15; 1 John 2:3-5.
[93] See e.g., Romans 6:22-23.
[94] See e.g., Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 5:10; Jeremiah 32:17-18; Daniel 9:4.
[95] See e.g., Exodus 34:5-7, Numbers 14:18; 2 Chronicles 30:9; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Jeremiah 9:24; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; James 5:11.
[96] See e.g., Leviticus 18:4-5; Deuteronomy 4:39-40; Deuteronomy 30:9-10; Ecclesiastes 12:13-14; Matthew 19:17-19; Luke 8:11-12, 15, 21; Luke 10:25-28; John 6:28; 1 John 3:22-24; Revelation 22:14.
[97] See e.g., 1 John 5:2-3.
[98] See e.g., see Psalm 119:160; Isaiah 40:8; Isaiah 55:11; Malachi 3:6; Matthew 24:35; Mark 13:31; Romans 7:12, 14; James 1:17; 1 Peter 2:25.
[99] See e.g., Romans 7:16; 1 Timothy 1:8.
[100] See e.g., Psalm 119.
[101] See e.g., Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 111:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13.
[102] See e.g., Galatians 3:19; 1 Timothy 1:9-10.
[103] See e.g., Exodus 24:12; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 9:9; 11, 15.
[104] See e.g., Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Romans 9:4.
[105] See e.g., Exodus 24:12.
[106] See e.g., Exodus 19:16-18; Exodus 20:1-17; Exodus 24:12; Exodus 31:18; Exodus 32:15-16; Exodus 34:1-5, 27-29; Deuteronomy 4:11-13; Deuteronomy 5:22; Deuteronomy 10:1-5.
[107] See e.g., Exodus 25:16, 21; Deuteronomy 10:4-5; Deuteronomy 31:9, 24-26; Hebrews 9:4.
[108] See Exodus 25:16, 21; Exodus 40:20; Deuteronomy 10:1-5; 1 Kings 8:9; 2 Chronicles 5:10.
[109] See e.g., Exodus 25:10-22; Exodus 26:33-34; Exodus 37:1-9; Hebrews 9:3.
[110] See Hebrews 9:4.
[111] See Revelation 11:19.
[112] See e.g., Matthew 5:1-7:29; Luke 6:17-49.
[113] Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33, 38, 43; Matthew 15:3-4; Matthew 19:17-19; Mark 7:10; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; see also Romans 13:8-10; Ephesians 6:2-3; James 2:10-11.
[114] See e.g., Deuteronomy 18:15-18; John 3:34; Acts 3:22-23; Acts 7:37; Hebrews 3:2, 5-6.
[115] Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7; Luke 9:34-35; see also Deuteronomy 18:15-19; Daniel 7:9, 13-14; Matthew 3:17; Acts 3:22.
[117] See Romans 5:14-15.
[118] See e.g., Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13; John 14:31; John 15:10; Philippians 2:8; Hebrews 5:8.
[119] Matthew 4:4, 7, 10; Luke 4:4, 8, 12 see also Deuteronomy 6:13, 16; Deuteronomy 8:3; Deuteronomy 10:20.
[120] See e.g., Genesis 3:15; Luke 1:31-35; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 15:57; 1 John 5:5.
[121] See e.g., Matthew 6:10; Matthew 26:39, 42; John 5:30; John 6:38; John 8:55; John 14:31; John 15:10; Philippians 2:8.
[122] See e.g., Matthew 12:48-50; Luke 8:21; Luke 11:28.
[123] See e.g., Matthew 12:50; John 15:10, 14.
[124] See e.g., 1 Timothy 6:13-14.
[125] John 8:4; see also Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; Deuteronomy 5:18; Proverbs 6:32; Matthew 5:27-28; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 6:9.
[126] John 8:5; see also Leviticus 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; Hebrews 13:4.
[127] John 8:7-11; see also Luke 9:56; John 3:17.
[128] John 8:11; see also John 5:14.
[129] Romans 7:7, 12-13, 16; see also e.g., Psalm 19:8; Psalm 33:4; Psalm 119:128.
[130] See e.g., Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2; Psalm 119:1-2; 14, 16, 35.
[131] See e.g., Deuteronomy 4:5-8; Psalm 119:98-99; John 5:39; Luke 24:27; 2 Timothy 3:15-16.
[132] See e.g., Psalm 119:44, 144; Romans 7:12, 14, 16.
[133] See e.g., Matthew 5:19-20; Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:46-49; James 1:22; James 2:10.
[134] See e.g., Matthew 7:21; Luke 8:20-21; John 13:17; Romans 2:13; James 2:14-20.
[135] See e.g., John 14:15; Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Ephesians 6:2-3; 1 Timothy 6:13-14; 1 John 5:3.
[136] See e.g., Romans 12:9; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; Colossians 3:5-11; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
[137] Romans 7:22; Romans 13:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:13-14; see also Psalm 1:2; Psalm 112:1; Psalm 119:1; 16, 35.
[138] See e.g., Romans 3:20; Romans 7:7-8; Galatians 3:19-21, 24.
[139] See e.g., Genesis 39:7-10; Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21.
[140] See e.g., Psalm 19:7-9; Psalm 119:137; Romans 7:12-13, 16; 1 Timothy 1:8.
[141] See e.g., Romans 6:6; Romans 7:14, 17; Romans 8:3.
[142] See e.g., John 1:14, 16-18; Romans 3:24; Romans 4:16; Romans 5:2, 15-21; Romans 6:12, 14; Romans 7:18-19, 22-23; Galatians 5:16-17.
[143] See e.g., Matthew 3:11-12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:26, 33; John 1:4-5; John 3:3-8; John 10:10; John 14:6; Romans 7:24-25; Romans 8:1-2; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:2-3, 33, 38-39; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 30; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8.
[144] See e.g., Matthew 3:11; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; Acts 1:5; Acts 2:3-4, 33.
[145] See e.g., John 1:4-5; John 3:15-16; John 4:14; John 5:21; John 6:39-40, 44; John 10:9-10; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 20:30-31; Acts 3:15; Acts 4:12; Acts 5:31; 1 Corinthians 15:22.
[146] John 1:4; see also John 17:3; 1 John 4:9; 1 John 5:11.
[147] See e.g., Colossians 2:23.
[148] Colossians 2:20-22; see also New Student Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992), p. 1293.
[149] See e.g., Romans 14:3.
[150] See e.g., Matthew 15:8-9; Matthew 23:4; Mark 7:6-7; Luke 11:46.
[151] See e.g., Jeremiah 9:13-14; Matthew 15:8-9; Matthew 23:4; Mark 7:6-7; Luke 11:46.
[152] See e.g., Matthew 15:3-7; Mark 7:8-13; Colossians 2:16-23.
[153] See e.g., Galatians 1:14.
[154] See e.g., Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23.
[155] See e.g., Matthew 15:1-3; Mark 7:1-7; Galatians 1:14; Colossians 2:8.
[156] See e.g., Matthew 6:1-18.
[157] Romans 14:17; see also Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4; Galatians 3:2, 5-7.
[158] See e.g., Psalm 34:13-14; Jeremiah 4:14; Amos 5:14-15; Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 12:2-14; Matthew 22:37; Matthew 23:23; Romans 12:1-2, 9-21; Ephesians 4:25-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 1 Timothy 1:5; James 4:7-8.
[159] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Leviticus 19:18; Micah 6:6-8; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:34-40; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 10:25-28; John 13:34-35; John 15:12; Romans 12:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; 1 John 3:11, 23.
[160] See Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:29-30; John 17:3.
[161] See e.g., John 14:15, 21-23; 1 John 5:3.
[162] Deuteronomy 4:35-39; Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 30:6; see also Joshua 2:11; Isaiah 55:6.
[163] See e.g., Matthew 5:43; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31; Luke 10:25-37; John 13:34-35; John 15:12-13, 17; Romans 12:9; Galatians 5:14; Colossians 3:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; James 2:8; 1 John 4:8, 16.
[164] See e.g., Romans 13:10.
[165] See e.g., Luke 10:25-37.
[166] Matthew 5:3-12, 21-26, 44-45; see also Leviticus 19:11, 17-18; Romans 13:8-10; Ephesians 4:24-26; Ephesians 5:1-3; 1 Timothy 1:5; Hebrews 12:15; 1 John 2:9-11; 1 John 3:15, 23-24.
[167] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 13:8.
[168] See Mark 12:33-34.
[169] See Mark 12:34; Luke 10:28. To enter God’s Kingdom also requires our wholehearted love and trust in Jesus, who is One with His Holy Father (see e.g., John 3:16-18; John 14:1, 6, 9-11).
[170] See e.g., Matthew 1:21, 23; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Mark 12:33.
[171] See e.g., Isaiah 1:16-19; Isaiah 56:1.
[172] See e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Isaiah 1:11-17; Hosea 6:6; Amos 5:4, 6, 14-15; Micah 6:6-8; Habakkuk 2:4; Matthew 23:23; Luke 11:42.
[173] See e.g., Psalm 40:8; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Mark 12:33-34.
[174] See e.g., Romans 15:1-2; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 14:1.
[175] See e.g., Romans 12:9-10; 1 Corinthians 10:24; 1 Corinthians 13:5; Philippians 2:3-4.
[176] See e.g., 1 Corinthians 12:7-11.
[177] See e.g., Exodus 19:5-6; Jeremiah 7:22-23; Micah 6:6-8.
[178] See e.g., 1 Samuel 15:22-23; Psalm 40:6-8; Psalm 51:16-17; Hebrews 10:5-9.
[179] See e.g., Deuteronomy 6:4-6, 17-18; Joshua 1:7-8; Joshua 22:5; Joshua 23:6-8, 11; Luke 8:21; John 14:15, 21, 23-24; John 15:9-10, 14; 1 Corinthians 7:19; 1 John 2:3-5; 1 John 5:3; 2 John 1:6.
[180] See e.g., Genesis 17:1; Matthew 7:12; Matthew 22:39; John 13:34-35; 1 Corinthians 10:31; Colossians 3:12-14, 17.
