Further Important Background to Bible Understanding and

Study

William J.D. Shaw updated: Sept 23,2018

This is a continuation of the first document on gaining the tools and approaches to in depth

learning and studying of the Holy Bible. The topics contained herein are put together in order to

help one stay on the narrow path that God has laid out for us to walk along through our present life.

A. Study in Faith

In order to start to grow in faith, one must recognize the character of God. First God speaks

truth, He does not lie, everything God says is truth. Second God does not change, when He tells us

something He never changes His mind in what He tells us, so what He tells us stays constant. Third

God is our Father, He loves us and made us in His image, He wants us to grow as His sons and

daughters, He wants to have fellowship with us. Two actions of God’s love to us are first giving us

the Law (Torah, first five books of the Bible) in order to show us how to go through life walking on

the narrow path and maturing to become more like God Himself, second having His Son Jesus

come down to earth, walking amongst us, showing the way forward and dying for our sins and

covering our sins with His spilled blood. Forth God’s ways are higher that man’s ways, Gods

knowledge is greater than man’s knowledge, so when He tells us to do something we need to do it.

Fifth God is righteous, just and fair, He will judge everyone equally. Sixth God is merciful and slow

to anger, He will give everyone as much time as possible to change their ways and follow what

Jesus told us and showed us. So understand that when God says something is forever, through

your generations, in your dwellings, perpetual He means just that. So never listen to what man

says, just read for yourself what God’s word says and obey. Every person is given free choice, so

choose carefully. Seventh and final is that when God makes a covenant with man He never breaks

it.

Faith is the foundation stone for becoming and growing as a Christian. Faith is belief in

something unseen, unprovable, it is accepting what cannot be proven and going forward with hope

on accepting that belief. Since we cannot see God, we must accept Him on faith, we see His

creation all around us, His Holy Word is given to us and is shown to be true by prophecy that has

been fulfilled. The Holy Word is given to us through the action of the Holy Spirit, directed to men in

writing down the words, as such we take the Bible on faith. Also recognize that the Bible is written

to be understood as literal for at least 95% of what is written. That means the average person can

read it, understand it and accept it.

The Bible defines faith for us;

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

We believe in God and in Jesus by faith. We believe that the Bible is Holy, it is the Word of

God, written by men but inspired by the Holy Spirit working through those who were directed to

write down the words. Without faith we cannot please God and be accepted as one of His children.

With Faith we are justified in God’s eyes.

Heb_11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

We need to beware of falling into the major traps of the world around us, these are best

described in the following verse.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

One needs to be particularly on guard against the pride of life as it is often very subtle and

can slip in quite unexpectedly, and not be easily recognized.

1. Belief in God and Creation

God’s creation is all around us, it is diverse and beautiful, it is the heavens, the earth and all

that is on the earth. It is what we see every day, it is the arrangement of atoms, particles, DNA,

RNA on the small scale and mountains, oceans, clouds, storms and the sun and stars on the large

scale. There is too much diversity in created life to occur by the theory of evolution. Man is so

different from the animal kingdom that he had to have been created by God. There is a material

world and a spirit world as told to us from the Bible. God and the angels are in the spirit world.

Man lives in the material world, but man has a part of himself that is spirit which makes him very

different from the animals. The spirit in man ties him to the spiritual world and therefore gives him

the opportunity to obtain eternal life.

Prophecy in the Bible shows us God’s supremacy over everything, including time itself.

There is a great deal of prophecy throughout the Bible, only a small amount has been fulfilled to

date, much of it is yet to come. But what has been fulfilled is accurate and is beyond any degree of

occurring by chance or statistical probability.

Consider the nation of Israel and the Jews, this is in our time a modern day miracle, it is

found in prophecy of the Bible. The nation has been re-gathered on the land that was given to

them, they have turned the land into a lush oasis. The dead language of Hebrew has been brought

back to life and as the Bible prophecy predicts the physical land of Israel, Jerusalem and the Jewish

people are contained and central to prophecy of the coming end time. Consider for a moment the

anti-Semitism towards the Jewish people, it comes from people throughout the world in most all

nations and from the United Nation and most of the Arab nations. It is hatred that is totally

disproportionate to the small size of the land of Israel and to the limited population of the Jews in

comparison the nations of the world. Satan is hard at work in this world. Most of the Protestant

Churches today erroneously think that the Church has replaced Israel. They need to wake up.

The entire Bible is so integrated and tied together in a manner that is completely cohesive

and consistent, without conflicting statements even though it is comprised of so many books (66

books), verses and words, written in various periods of time(over two thousand years) by many

different authors(40 authors). The themes, ideas, and complexity throughout the Bible are all

coordinated and developed in a manner that it is impossible for man to have developed and written

it without slipping up and having contradictory statements.

Further the Bible has hidden codes that could not have been placed by man, not even today

with the use of computers. To see an overview of these codes read the book “Cosmic Codes” by

Chuck Missler. In addition read the small article called “Unto Us a Child is Born” written by Zola

Levitt at the end of a booklet “The Seven Feasts of Israel” which addresses the stages of pregnancy

in relation to the timing of the Holy Days of God.

There are three current documentaries on DVD that are well worth watching as they

address the accuracy of the Bible coming from man’s current knowledge and understanding.

These are; a) Evolution’s Achilles’ Heels, b) Is Genesis History? , c) Patterns of Evidence –Exodus-.

Note what the Bible says about unbelief.

Mat_17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Rom 11:20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:

2Co 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Note what the Bible says about God’s creation.

Gen 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

Psa 19:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Psa 104:24 O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Luk 12:27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Col 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

Heb_11:3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

We need to go forward with confidence in God’s Word, confidence in Jesus and His promise

to us. It is by faith in accepting Christ and by God’s grace to us that we are saved.

2. Belief in Jesus Christ as our Savior

We need three key beliefs to take on Christ (Messiah) and go forward towards growing in

righteousness. The first is to believe in Christ as taking on our sins, the second is believing that God

through His grace forgives our sins and third is through repentance we become a new person in

going forward from that time until the end. These are all tied together in faith, our faith in Christ

and in God. This then happens to be our starting point, then we are required to grow as a son of

God, as a Christian, to grow in righteousness. Growth requires action, it requires doing God’ Will,

doing what God’s Word tells us to do. Repentance is not a onetime action, rather it is an active

verb, going forth with us throughout the rest of our life.

Gal_2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Gal_2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Eph_2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph_3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Rom_5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Gal_3:22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus

Christ might be given to them that believe.

3. Trust in God

A large part of faith is trusting in God. This is difficult as we normally make our way through

the world trusting in ourselves or in others such as family, physicians, repair men, dentists etc.

Trust in the Lord means not only having faith but also placing things in God’s hands and knowing

that He will handle them in His own way and in His own time. Having trust grow is more difficult

that having our faith grow. Our faith grows through reading and studying God’s Word and by

recognizing God’s action in things around us. In ancient times God’s people did not believe in

things happening by chance, they did not have a word in their vocabulary for this. Rather

everything that happens is directed by God. President Trump recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s

capital and moving the United States embassy is an action directed by God in our time.

2Co 1:9 But we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead:

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

There are many verses in the Bible that tell us to put our trust in God. A major part of

growing in righteousness is placing our trust in God. Trusting in our selves is following on our own

understanding and that of the world around us, this is not the right way forward. Trust becomes

important in times of trouble and difficulties, that is when a test of our amount of trust comes in

question.

Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

Pro 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Nah 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Psa 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

Psa 62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Isa 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Psa 25:20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.

Psa 52:8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.

There are verses that tell us what benefits come to us for placing our trust in God. These

are an extension of our faith. We are blessed when we place our trust in Him. When we trust God

we need not be afraid, He will take care of us according to His Will. By faith we recognize that we

need to focus on our future life with God and not on our temporary life in this current material

world.

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psa 34:22 The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psa 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

2Sa 22:3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.

2Sa 22:31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all

them that trust in him.

Psa 17:7 Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.

Psa 5:11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Psa 9:10 And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

Psa 31:1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.

Trust in God is not an easy thing, it is something one needs to continue to work on and have

it continually grow over time. It is easy to put trust in God for the little things, not easy for the

major things. If you are totally obedient to God and His Will, following His Word and not the

commandments of man, meaning not being deceived by the way of the world or false doctrine

taught by the Churches, then full trust in God will result in having Him take care of you. Recognize

that it is His Will that is important and carried out in His timing, not ours. It is each of our personal

responsibility to learn and follow Gods laws and words, we are personally responsible if we allow

deception to mislead us. We need to do our best in following and carrying out God’s Will, living one

day at a time and placing our trust in Him.

4. Having Faith Grow

In order to have our faith grow, we need to continually read and study God’s Word. We need to

allow it to grow within us, to change our heart, to give us understanding that did not exist

previously. God’s Holy Spirit guides us as we read His Word, it will reveal new understanding to us,

one step at a time. Provided we take this new understanding and place it in our heart and follow

what has been revealed to us, then another gem will in turn be revealed. Each concept given to us

this way works on helping our faith to deepen. In other words you cannot be lazy and expect to

have your faith and trust grow, you must actively be studying God’s word continually, with some

dedicated time every day.

Rom_10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Co_5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

Our faith also grows by being led to other information, new interaction with others, seeing

how events suddenly come together to overcome critical problems. God’s action works through

others in His own timing, things do not come together by chance, chance does not exist, it is

God’s hand that is directing us. What we see is evidence of God’s work, it is up to us to

recognize it.

Heb_11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went

We need to pray always and ask God for guidance and for help in having our faith grow. We

need to follow on the path He sets forth for us, to embrace it, and strive towards growing in the

manner that God demands.

Faith grows by works, works in reading and studying, works in worshiping and praying,

works in helping others, works by walking with love and charity towards all others. Faith alone

without works is dead.

Jas_2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jas_2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas_2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Jas_2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

It is important to recognize that love towards others rates higher than that of faith, by our

actions in growing in righteousness so our faith also grows.

1Co_13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1Ti_1:5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:

Jas_2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Jas_2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Jas_2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Therefore to grow in faith we need to do works. In doing works we grow as children of God,

we grow in righteousness. We need God’s help within us to grow in faith and trust.

Gal_3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.

5. Do we need to Keep the Law

We need to ask ourselves if we have faith do we still need to keep the law, the

commandments and other directions given by God ? Was the law only given to the Israelites, or the

Jews ? Note that by faith we are the seed of Abraham. There is no difference between any of us,

Jew or Gentile. What applies to one applies to all.

Rom_3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Rom_4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

Rom_4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

Gal_3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

Gal_3:8 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.

Gal_3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.

Gal_3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Gal_3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Recognize that the manner in which we are saved is the same for all people, second that

the blessings given to Abraham are the same to all that are saved. What applies to one applies to

all. The argument by some men that say the laws and commandments, statutes, ordinances,

precepts and judgments were given only to the Jews or Israelites does not hold, it is a false

justification of man, one that allows him to go his own way and do his own thing ignoring the Will of

God

Rom_3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Rom_3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

The reason we follow the law is to allow it to grow within us and have it work towards our

becoming righteous. It also acts to help us develop patience and to endure. It shows by action our

love for God. The law is our road map given to us by God’s love for us, it guides us through this

present life, it defines the narrow path that we are to follow. It identifies sin and therefore we are

aware of how to go forward and not sinning.

Gal_5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith

Php_3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Rom_1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith

Jas_1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

1Ti_6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Gal_5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Joh 14:24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Recognize that by keeping the law we are not by our own works being saved. We are saved

by believing in Christ having shed His blood and dying to cover our sins and by forgiveness of our

sins by God’s grace. Rather by keeping the law and commandments we are showing our love for

God and allowing God’s laws to work within us to help us grow and mature as God’s sons and

daughters. By keeping God’s laws we are being obedient to God.

We are to add virtue to faith and then with virtue we add understanding or knowledge.

2Pe_1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

A last thought on keeping the laws and what ties the laws into that of faith is as follows.

Rev_14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

The above verse is extremely important, it identifies the requirements by God of being one

of his Saints. First is endurance or patience, second is keeping the commands of God, third is

keeping the faith of Jesus. It is doing all that both God and Jesus directs and demands of us, it is

going forth doing the Will of God, living by every Word of God, obeying God and maturing as He

requires of us.

If you do not believe that keeping God’s laws are important, reflect on the following verse,

believe the Bible and not what other men tell you.

Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

6. Asking For Help in Prayer

When we ask God for something, we need to have faith that He will answer us. We need to

ask with faith and also ask without wavering. Faith means we persevere, we endure, are fully

committed and stay the course. Once we start down the path we must never quit. Keeping this

mind set we show our determination and hence our faithfulness.

Mat_21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Jas_1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea

driven with the wind and tossed.

Recognize God will give us what we need and provided what we ask is God’s Will, then we

will receive it. God’s timing is always impeccable. Be aware that we must obey God, live by every

Word that He gives us, if we do this, then when we ask He will hear us and give us what we need.

A problem we have in keeping faith and growing in faith is that faith resides in the heart and

mind, whereas the body or the flesh drives us to abandon faith whenever it perceives itself to be in

trouble and rather to rely upon ourselves or the world. We must not lose sight of why God put us on

the earth, why we are here now. Our goal is to grow as children of God towards serving Him,

worshipping Him, obeying Him and loving Him in preparation for a future life. Our body distracts us

with in three different areas, first is the economics of living, second is our relationships with others

and third is our present life survival and health. We must not let these distract us from our prime

directive of growing in following God’s Will. As we follow God’s Will and act upon it, He works

within us so that we grow strong in faith, and when our time comes He will call us.

B. Overview – Steps on the Path of Christianity and One’s Growth

There are several steps one needs to be aware of in their personal growth as a Christian. It

is important to get the main things or the fundamental instructions right. Initially forget the

little things, there is time to learn them later. If you do not learn, recognize, and understand the

important key things and place them in your heart and mind then you are essentially spinning

your wheels and real growth will elude you. The following steps listed below will help you stay

on the narrow but correct path.

First each one of us are responsible for the path we take as we walk through life and how we

follow and do God’s Will. Do not be lazy, regularly read and study your Bible every day, it is only

through the study of God’s Word are we able to grow. We ourselves are responsible that we are

not deceived, for if we are deceived we will be held accountable. You cannot say that it is not

your fault because your minister told you so. It is up to each of us to prove everything using

God’s word. We need to be careful that we do not get caught in the traditions of man, or

traditions handed down to us through a church organization, rather we need to follow God’s

commandments to us and we find these by studying the Bible on our own. Whatever we read

or hear from others we need to critically evaluate against what the Bible says and hold fast to

that which we find true according to God’s Word.

Second recognize that the Bible warns us not to be deceived, many, many, many times. Both

ourselves and the churches are to be continually on the lookout for deception that tries to make

its way into our beliefs and our lives. Always evaluate everything against scripture. Do not let

anyone tell you that something in the Bible no longer applies. Ask them for the verses that

indicate that knowledge and then check it out extensively on your own. Always check to see if

there are other verses that are contrary to those someone tells you.

Third come to know that the person throughout the Old Testament, the one that dealt with the

people, the one that rewarded and punished, the one that gave the laws, commandments,

precepts, statutes, judgments and ordinances was Christ, He was given the responsibility to

interact with man. Learn this for yourself, start in 1 Corinthians, or in John, then watch it build

through many other verses in New Testament books. This is a major key in understanding the

complete Word of God. It ties the Old and New Testaments together, they are not separate,

they both apply to all who accept Christ. Jesus and the disciples taught from and referred to

scripture using only the Old Testament. Now we have the advantage of both the Old and New

Testaments, and we need to carefully read and learn from both.

Forth understand that if you become one of God’s people that there is no difference between

you and anyone else that follows Christ. In other words if you follow Christ there is no

difference between Jew or Gentile, free or slave, male or female. We are all grafted as a

branch into the tree of his chosen people, we now are set aside from the rest of the world and

have become part of a group of special people, God’s people. To God, when we become one of

His chosen people, we are all the same. That means whatever laws and commandments that

were given to one apply to all.

Fifth know that God requires His chosen people to obey Him. That means total obedience, not

a pick and choose approach. This applies to both times and instructions given in His Holy

Word. The times are set according to God’s calendar, according to God’s nights and days,

according to God’s weeks and months. The times are not set according to man’s method of

counting days, weeks or months or years. Here, especially watch out for traditions of man as

they definitely conflict with commandments of God. We need to follow what God’s Word

instructs us to do, we cannot try to justify in changing things more to our liking. Note that there

is the way of the world and the way of God, choose carefully. It is our duty as a Christian to

mature in the manner that God would have us grow. He left us instructions on how we are to

do this, just read your Bible carefully.

Sixth when something is not clear in scripture, do not let it bother you and do not let someone

else tell you what they think it means. Rather look to Jesus, what does He tell us, what did He

show us by His example. You can never go wrong following this approach.

Seventh use sound logic as you read and apply God’s Word. God does not promote confusion,

also God does not change, meaning when He tells us something is to be obeyed forever, He

means just what He said.

Eighth look into the future as described in the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments,

when something is to be obeyed in the future, and it was obeyed in the past, it means it needs

to be obeyed today.

Ninth carefully evaluate what God’s Holy Word tells you and recognize that even if the whole

world around you is not doing it, it does not mean that they are right. History from the Old

Testament shows us that this happened a number of times, where the whole world was walking

contrary to God’s Will and instructions.

Tenth you will know when God’s Holy Spirit is guiding you and actively working in your life. You

will read a verse that you have read many times previously and suddenly it will become alive,

you will suddenly have a light turned on and truly understand what it says. This will continue as

you grow in God’s Word provided you incorporate the new understanding into your heart,

accepting it and following what it tells you. This sudden and profound understanding is growth

of your spirit being connected to God’s word.

In order to grow we need to not only read and study God’s Word but also to ask for God’s

help to work within us in enabling us to follow what He tells us, we cannot do His Will on our

own. This is accomplished through the use of prayer. Reading, studying and prayer all go

together, they act to help our faith and trust grow. These three together are important for every

step we take along the path. Watch and Pray always so that you will be counted worthy.

C. Christian Character Traits

The Bible tells us what character traits we need to strive to develop. They are traits that we

need to place in our heart and let them grow. They are righteous traits, ones that please God, ones

that make us more like Him. These traits are not ones that we naturally acquire as we make our

way forward in the world. Our way forward is usually a path of get and not a path of giving. We

need to ask God to help us in developing the character traits that He wants us to have, we need His

help to grow in this manner.

The most important trait is that of “Love”. Love for God and love for those around us,

friends, neighbors, fellow workers, strangers, and even enemies. This trait was reinforced by Jesus

in both His words to us and in His actions. The word charity in the Bible means loving others, it is a

deep form of love towards others that comes forth from within our heart. Jesus told us that all the

commandments are satisfied by our keeping and growing in love to God and others. Recognize

that growing in love towards God, means that we will act in a manner that will please Him. Note

that obeying God shows our love for Him. Love in our heart means that we will have actions that

shows this to God and others. It is not just a warm fuzzy emotional feeling, rather it is active works

on our part.

Another trait that we are to develop is that of serving. That means serving to God and

serving to others. If lowering ourselves to serving others is accepted with joy in our heart, then we

are growing in a manner that pleases God. It is far better that we have the attitude of serving than

that of being served.

There are two traits that are similar to love and serving, these are attitudes from within our

heart, attitudes that affect our interaction with others. These are meekness and humbleness. These

traits are how we need to walk and make our way forward in dealing with others.

We are always to keep the truth close to our heart. Whatever we do or say is to be done in

truth. God’s word is truth. We are to worship God in truth and spirit. The foundations of God’s

world are built upon truth. We are to strive always to walk forward in truth.

Action in love results in giving and in helping. These are two other traits that result in doing

good and ones we need to work in growing into. Giving to those less fortunate and those in need is

an action resulting from our love towards others. When we see someone struggling and needing

support or action we again are obligated to give them help or a helping hand. Again this is action

extending outward from our love for others, it is action by looking towards the well being of others

and kindness towards others as well as caring for others and having empathy towards others.

We are to show mercy and forgiveness to others. These two traits are expected of us if we

are to receive the same from God towards us. This again is an attitude of love towards our fellow

man. We are to have compassion towards others.

We need to let the peace of God rule our heart, this is tied to being thankful and quietly

accepting longsuffering and growing in patience and enduring.

We are to have a nature of joy, gentleness and temperance as well.

How we deal with others shows what is in our heart. Being honest means we do not take

advantage of others, an extension of this is justice and fairness. We need to go forth in life being

honest, which identifies us as being of good character. Someone that can be depended upon if we

say we will do something. Someone that is fair in dealing with others.

We are to keep a pure mind or pure thoughts, to keep evil thoughts out. If we grow holy, it

will be from our mind and spirit which will grow holy, this we need God’s help working within us.

One main way of looking at all of these traits is to do to others as you would have them do

to you. This means loving one another, serving one another, displaying meekness and humbleness

towards one another, being truthful to each other, giving and helping one another, doing good, working

towards the well being of others, showing kindness, caring and having empathy to others, being merciful

and forgiving others, being compassionate, being thankful, accepting longsuffering, growing in patience

and enduring, having joy in our heart, promoting and valuing peace, having gentleness and temperance,

and being honest, fair and exhibiting justice towards one another. Work on your mind to grow holy, with

pure thoughts.

In building these traits within our heart, we need to work on making them become second

nature to us. They require keeping them in the forfront of our mind and turning them into habits

over time. Through focus within our mind and action as we go forward, these character traits will

become automatic and work to change the very nature of our heart. They will change the very

nature as to how we interact and deal with others. We need to go forward always asking ourselves

as we deal with others, “how can I help them, what can I do to make their life better ?”

For a moment consider the opposite traits to those above, these are as follows;

selfishness, hating and cruel verses love,

self importance and thinking ones better than others verses serving,

pride, conceited, piousness and puffed up verses meekness and humbleness,

lying verses truthful,

taking advantage and ignoring others in need verses giving, helping, doing good, caring, looking out

for the well being of others and showing kindness, fairness, justice, empathy and compassion

towards others,

wanting vengeance verses mercy, forgiveness, temperance, gentleness and valuing peace,

unthankful, complaining and impatient verses thankful, longsuffering, joyous, patient and enduring,

dishonest and deception verses honest.

Evil thoughts verses pure thoughts

The bad character traits are not ones that you want to have directed towards yourself from

others. They are not ones that others want to have directed towards them from you.

Just think that if all people valued and were filled with the above desired personal

characteristics how wonderful the world would be. God definitely knew what He was doing by

directing us to grow and cultivate these traits within ourselves.

In addition to those character traits above, God wants us to grow in love, obedience and faith

and trust, towards Himself. God wants us to grow Holy and how our inner character forms allows us

to advance in that direction.

D. Prayer

We are told to pray, to develop a personal relationship with our Father. Jesus told us how to

pray.

Mat 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Mat 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mat 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Mat 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Mat 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

When are we to pray ? We are to pray always !

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

We are to pray in our own words, not in vain repetitions. Pray is to be a personal

communication between ourselves and the Father. We should start by glorifying or worshiping the

Father, then thanking God for the blessings He gives us, the food, shelter, clothes, health,

transportation, abilities, keeping us from evil and from harm, the understanding He gives us from

His Holy Word, for being called and having given us an open mind of acceptance, for the sacrifice of

His Son for our sins, the forgiveness of our sins by God’s grace to us, for family and for friends.

Remember all things come from God, all things are His, not ours, what He gives, He can also take

away. Our blessings given to us from God are both spiritual and material. We are to pray in private

and we are to pray by speech or in words coming out of our mouth.

Mat 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Mat 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Psa 109:30 I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

Psa 54:2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.

We can go directly to the Father, boldly and personally. Jesus is our chief priest and

intercessor. Whatever we ask, it must be done in Jesus name, remember to qualify what you ask

as “your Will be done not mine”. Whatever we ask, it is always asked knowing if it is granted it is

God’s Will, or if it is not granted then it is not God’s Will. Things occur according to God’s timing,

not ours. Always end your prayer with “Amen”. Ask for God’s help in growing and overcoming and

enduring. Ask for His guidance for the decisions we must make, for the right path to take when the

way forward gives us choices. We want God’s Hand upon the way we go forward and upon the

choices we make. We need God’s guidance and direction in all things.

In prayer we are communicating directly with God, It is OK to tell Him we are angry, or we

are sad, or we are happy and always to ask Him to Help us go forward. He will Help us with the

burdens of life when we ask and when they seem overbearing.

We need to pray for others, family, friends, neighbors, enemies, our public officials, and

other brothers and sisters facing trials and tribulations. There are many that are not as well off as

we are and some in the world are experiencing extreme persecution. We are to express our love to

others in our prayers as well as by our actions.

When we pray we are to come before God in truth and spirit. When we are lead by God’s

Holy Spirit, we are able to worship and communicate with God in spirit.

Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Remember we are to be thankful, forgiving, caring, merciful, honest, truthful, and having

patience. Our prayers should help us focus on the way forward to life in serving and worshiping God

for an eternity. Building a relationship with the Father will give us inner peace and inner strength to

endure to the end. With God all things are possible.

E. Circumcision of the Heart

Circumcision was given by God as part of the covenant He made with Abraham. It was a

sealing or accepting of the agreement between God and His chosen people. At the time it was a

physical act that identified the people as God’s people, those following and obeying God.

Act 7:8 And he gave him the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat the twelve patriarchs.

When we become Christ’s, we take Christ on in faith, follow Him and obey Him. We are

now accepting a new covenant between ourselves and God. Then the Bible tells us that

circumcision of the heart is required rather than that of the body.

Rom_2:29 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.

Php 3:3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

When we accept Jesus as our savior, who died for our sins and shed His blood for a new

covenant , and by the grace of God in forgiving our sins, we now go forth after repenting and taking

on a new person in our heart and mind. We are now walking on the path laid out for us by Jesus.

We have now taken on Christ and are now one of God’s chosen people. By going forward in

obedience to God’s word, we have accepted a covenant or contract with God. We are now grafted

into the olive tree of life, and are expected to grow in heart and mind. We are to grow in love for

God and in love for our fellow man. We now are part of Abraham’s seed and there is no longer any

difference between Jew or Gentile, man or woman, bond of free, we are all the same, all belonging

to God’s chosen people.

Rom 11:17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

We are now expected to grow in heart and mind to become righteous and Holy since God is

Holy. God expects His chosen people to mature in becoming Holy, to work towards developing the

characteristics of purity within our hearts and minds.

Lev 19:2 Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.

1Pe 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

We have been given instructions throughout the Bible on how we are to accomplish this

requirement of growing Holy. What traits we are to work on growing within our heart to help us

develop in the manner that God wants us to grow.

When we form an agreement or covenant with God, we must be careful to follow the

instructions that God has given to us, to do things God’s way and to do things in God’s time, not to

go our own way doing things we think are right. We must live by every Word of God. Recognize

that Jesus was God’s representative or mediator throughout the Old Testament, the one that gave

all the laws, ordinances, statutes, judgments, precepts and commandments. He was the one that

interacted and dealt with the people, the one that rewarded and punished. This means that the Old

Testament and the New Testament are totally tied together. There is not a partition existing

between these two. Be careful how you honor the new covenant made between yourself and God.

Going forth in this new covenant with God, accepting and changing as directed by God is

circumcision that has taken place in our heart.

F. Most Important Memory Verses

There are a number of important Bible verses, ones a person should commit to memory in

understanding, not necessarily in being able to recite the verse, rather fix the understanding of the

concept of the verse firmly in your mind. The most important verses are the ones that define the

path that follows Christ. In addition there will be a few others that personally speak to each of us,

these others may not have much if any meaning to others, these we collect individually. The verses

listed below along with some of their meaning are given generally in order of priority in importance.

1. Salvation Verses

These verses that follow are ones that have the greatest direction and understanding on

following the path to salvation.

Recognize Jesus in the Old Testament , the one who made the world, the one who dealt

with man, the one who gave the laws, ordinances, statutes, judgments, precepts and

commandments, the one who punished and rewarded was a mediator of the Father. Also

recognize that at the time that Christ walked among us only the Old Testament was in existence.

All references and examples Christ gave us refer back to the Old Testament. Jesus came to the

Jews, not the gentiles. It was only later that the disciples were to go also to the Jews first and then

the gentiles.

1. Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This verse is not as simple as it first appears. The devils believe in Christ, but they do not

follow what He says or serve Him. The word “believeth” has a deeper meaning, it means that we

believe Jesus is truth and His Words and examples to us need to be followed and obeyed. We

believe that Jesus is our savior and we are to serve Him. This means there is an obligation upon

our part, we must do as Jesus tells us and has shown us. If you doubt this consider the next verses.

2. Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

3. 1Pe 2:21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

4. Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

5. Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

6. Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

7. Joh 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

8. Mat 19:17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

9. 1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

10. Ecc 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

11. Deu 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

12. Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

13. Rev 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

14. Mat 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Mat 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

15. Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

16. 1Jn 5:1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.

1Jn 5:2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.

1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

17. Deu 11:1 Therefore thou shalt love the LORD thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.

These above verses tell us to follow the Words and examples that Jesus left for us and to

obey His Words and do them. This in turn means also to obey the commandments given by Christ

in both the Old and New Testaments. Our action in obeying shows our love for God. Generally if we

read the laws, ordinances, precepts, statutes, judgments and commandments in the Old

Testament, if our mind is pure, we would agree with them and they are not grievous. They are now

days written in our mind or on our heart and we know they are righteous. Note from above, Jesus

came to fulfill the law, not to change it, not one little bit of the law has been changed. In addition

there are two commandments that Jesus reinforced for us to follow, the commandments of love.

18. Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Following the commandments of love works on and changes our mind and heart to that of

growing in righteousness and in obedience to God, to becoming holy and doing that which pleases

God. The Bible is not a pick and choose, it is descriptive in what is required, to be totally obedient

to God, either we are or we are not. It is our choice whether we follow Jesus Words and examples

or not. The important action on each of our part is to follow the intent, placing them in our heart,

not treating the laws as a number of legalistic words and commandments.

19. Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Recognize that actions or works are still required, not that they atone for our sins, but rather

that they show our love for God and others. Actions help us to grow in righteousness and please

God. Our actions in doing God’s Will are to obey God’s laws and to help others in need, showing our

love for others by our works.

The laws and commandments were not just for the Jews and Israel, but are for all who put

on Christ. Accepting and following Christ makes us all the same, no longer are we different from

the Jews or anyone else. Now we are Abraham’s seed and children of God.

20. Gal 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.

21. Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

22. Rom 2:29 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.

The above verses tell us there is no difference between any person that accepts and follows

Christ, all are expected to obey the same laws and commandments. The laws and commandments

when followed help us to grow in righteousness, to mature as children of God. If there is one

command that we do not obey then we are guilty of breaking them all.

23. Jas 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Next is knowing how we are saved. We are saved by believing, by faith, that Jesus is the

Son of God, born of a virgin, walking on earth in the flesh, being without sin, shedding His blood for

our sins and being raised from the dead by God the Father. By accepting Jesus as our savior,

repenting of our sins and becoming a new person in following Jesus Words and examples we are

able to grow and become holy. Then it is only by God’s grace are our sins forgiven, not by any

action or work of our own.

24. Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

25. Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

26. 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

27. Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

28. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

29. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

It is only through belief and accepting of Jesus that we are saved. We must repent and

change to that of a new person, leaving the old person behind. We must confess with our mouth

and believe in our heart. We are then saved by the grace of God, not by any works that we might

do. We are now at the starting gate and for our faith to grow we need to have actions. Our actions

come from obeying God, doing His Will and following His commands to us. Our actions need to be

based upon love, first to God and then to all others. Our love to God is by keeping His laws and

commandments given to us and growing in the manner that He wants us to grow. The love to

others is that of placing their well being first, before our own and helping them as best as we can.

This is the attitude and action that we need to develop towards becoming righteous, this is possible

only with the help of God’s Spirit working within us.

30. Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Seeking the kingdom of God is focusing on becoming righteous in heart and mind in

preparation for the life to come. Our goal is to grow in the manner that God demands, to have our

heart and mind become pure. Do not be concerned about our life in the present world, just take

one day at a time, God will take care of us, He knows our needs.

31. Mat 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

32. Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mat 16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

33. Joh 12:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

We are told by Jesus what is required of us, to love Him more than anyone or anything of

this world, to follow the examples and Words He gave to us, to not be concerned for our life in this

world, rather to focus on the world to come. We are to grow towards a life of worshiping and

serving both Jesus and God the Father.

34. Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

35. Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Doing the Will of the Father is what Jesus tells us to do. The Will of the Father is given to us

in Words from the Bible, from Words given to us from Jesus. It is showing love to others by our

actions, especially when the occasion presents itself. It is being totally obedient to God. Growing

towards that of having joy in our heart and in pleasing and serving God.

Note that the path is narrow and not all will be able to stay on the path to the end. We need

to be aware of the pitfalls and be focused on enduring to the end.

36. Mat 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

37. Mat 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

38. Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Mat 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

39. Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mat 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Many today will think they are doing what Jesus has told them, but often they are not. The

above verses are warnings to those who are trying to follow the path. Be careful, do what Jesus

tells us, do the Will of the Father. This means reading very carefully all the Words Jesus tells us,

and turning these words into actions.

What is the major stumbling block ? It is following the commandments or traditions of

Man, and not the commandments of God. Not being totally obedient to God. Not growing

continually towards righteousness in our heart. Not walking close enough with Christ and the

Father. Often many are only paying lip service to following Jesus.

40. Mat 15:8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Take a moment to think and recognize what the commandments of man are in your life.

Then abandon them and follow the Words and examples given to us from Jesus. Doing this we do

the Will of God. It is especially bad when the commandments of man clash with the

commandments of God and one ignores those from God in preference to following those of man.

Do not try to justify yourself of your actions or the reasons you do things before God. Just do His

Will, obey Him, don’t question or argue, just do it. God knows much more than what we know, His

ways are much higher than our ways.

41. Mar 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mar 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned

42. Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luk 6:49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

Be baptized. Again it is reinforced, do the things which Jesus tells us, as doing this we build

our faith and are doing the Will of the Father. Christ is the Rock upon which we build our faith.

There are many, many verses telling us not to be deceived, being deceived usually means

not being totally obedient to God, not totally following His Word. It often has to do with being led

astray in following the commandments of man. It generally is ignoring God’s commandments and

the Words and examples of Jesus, going our own way and justifying to ourselves that it is OK with

God. Recognize that God’s ways are higher than our ways. We either obey God or we do not. The

Holy Bible tells us God’s Will and His Ways, it tells us that which He wants us to follow. If it is not

stated in the Bible, it is not God’s way, rather then it is a way fabricated by man.

When we do God’s Will, when we obey Him, He gives us a portion of His Holy Spirit. This in

turn leads us and opens up His Holy Word to our understanding, a bit at a time. It makes the Bible

become totally alive. Having God’s Holy Spirit residing in us allows us to worship God in both Spirit

and in Truth. When we obey and accept what is opened to us, which is God’s Way, His Holy Spirit

then continues to lead us and opens more scripture to our understanding and continues to help us

grow and mature in Christ.

43. Luk 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

44. Act 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

45. Joh 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Joh 4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We are told that the most important commandments are those of love, as given as follows.

We need to learn to place these front and foremost on our heart, then we on the correct path.

46. Mat 22:36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

One last thing is that we are to pray and to continually examine ourselves to see if we are

following properly and will be found worthy before God.

47. Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

In order to really understand the Words of Jesus and to follow Him, read the document

“Summary of Jesus Words and Examples “. Read it carefully and reflect upon it. Reflect in order

to recognize where the commandments of man conflict with the commandments of God. Reflect

and evaluate yourself, are you doing what Jesus told us to do ?

2. Other Important New Testament Verses

Mat 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Mat 7:8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Mat 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Mat 10:38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Mat 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mat 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mat 25:42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:

Mat 25:43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

Mat 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?

Mat 25:45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to

one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mar 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Mar 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Mar 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:

Mar 4:12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

Mar 7:6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Mar 7:7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Mar 7:8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.

Mar 7:13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mar 9:23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Mar 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Luk 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Luk 6:47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

Luk 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

Luk 8:15 But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Luk 9:24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luk 9:25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

Luk 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

Luk 11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Luk 16:17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

Luk 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Luk 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.

Luk 21:35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

Luk 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Joh 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Joh 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Joh 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Joh 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Act 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom 2:29 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.

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Rom 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.

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

Rom 7:6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Rom 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.

Rom 7:22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Rom 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Rom 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Co 1:26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

1Co 1:27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1Co 1:28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1Co 2:5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

1Co 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

1Co 2:10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

1Co 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1Co 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1Co 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

1Co 13:5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

1Co 13:6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

1Co 13:7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

1Co 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

1Co 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

2Co 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Gal 3:29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 5:20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Php 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Col 3:10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

Col 3:11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Col 3:12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

Col 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Col 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Col 3:15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Col 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Col 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Heb 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Heb 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

Jas 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Jas 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Jas 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

3. Other Important Old Testament Verses

Jos 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Jos 1:9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Psa 18:2 The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

Psa 23:1 A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psa 45:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psa 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Psa 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

Psa 56:4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

Psa 84:11 For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

Psa 84:12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Pro 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Pro 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Pro 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Isa 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isa 41:10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jer 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

Jer 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

***