Checking Our Foundation
Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths,
where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.
But they said, We will not walk therein. Jeremiah 6:16
Know What You Believe
When we seek to know about God instead of knowing Him, our knowledge will never be complete.
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 2 Ti. 3:7
Human understanding of scripture is not the same as was God's intent.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Is. 55:8-9
In fact, your thoughts aren't even yours, but ideas Satan planted to detour you from all that is true.
Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Pr. 16:3
Neither do teachers always have it right.
Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Mk. 7:7
It isn't enough to have head knowledge ...
And ye shall 'know' the truth ... Jn. 8:32
And the only way you can 'know' what you believe is to have heard it from God ...
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Co. 2:14
As He reveals it to you.
Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth. Je. 33:6
We make ourselves most teachable once we stop telling God what He believes, then get our lessons from Him.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Pe. 1:23
And, we are not to do anything toward prohibiting this spiritual growth in others.
Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Mt. 19:14
The Old Testament Still Counts
Being the New Testament hadn't yet been completed,
one can conclude that the 52 N.T. references to 'scripture(s)'
supported continuing in the faith of Old Testament writings.
To limit our study to N.T. doctrine omits the full testimony of Jesus.
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Jn. 5:39
It is the Old Testament writings that teach us truths about who God is ...
Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. Mt. 22:29
And the same writings that give us hope, in our time of need.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Ro. 15:4
To limit application of O.T. scripture separates us from knowing the true intent of God's heart and His counsel for meeting our needs.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Ps. 33:11
Don't Put God in a Box
There is no such thing as 'taking scripture out of context' ...
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 2 Ti. 3:15-16
unless you're speaking when God didn't send you.
I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Je. 23:21-22
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. Mt. 24:35
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the Lord, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. Je. 23:30-31
Written Especially for You
The Bible was given by the inspiration of God ...
All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Ti. 3:16
And was written for you ...
For all things are yours. 1 Co. 3:21
regardless of gender ...
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Ge. 1:27 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Ge. 5:2
(The term 'woman' has many symbolic meanings. Paul said it was a great mystery, but he was referring to Christ and the church; for which, theologians agree.)
There is neither male nor female. Ga. 3:28
(When the term 'woman' is used in scripture, it is not with intent to limit one's service but to understand one's calling within a given role.)
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Pr. 31:31
regardless of your name, your family's name, or what family you were born into ...
You are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises. Ro. 9:4
regardless of race ...
There is neither Jew nor Greek. Ga. 3:28
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God. Ro. 2:29
without regard to where you live ...
In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Ac. 10:34-35
without regard to one's past ...
It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. Ro. 15:27
without regard to social standing, prominence, or position of leadership ...
There is neither bond nor free. Ga. 3:28
without regard to doctrine ...
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ga. 5:6
without regard to religion ...
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. Ro. 14:4
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. Ep.. 6:9
without regard to what you believe ...
God that made the world and all things therein ... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation ... as we are the offspring of God. And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. Ac. 17:24-31
without respecter of persons.
Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people. Is. 56:7
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all). Ac. 10:34-36
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Ga. 3:8
Ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Ga. 3:28
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. Ro. 11:32
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Ti. 2:4
The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Ti. 2:19
To believe otherwise, there is no Christ in such doctrine.
Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 1 Co. 7:23
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us. Ep. 2:14
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. He. 12:14