"Teaching them to observe all things that I (Jesus) have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
ALL THINGS I HAVE COMMANDED YOU.
Jesus did not say...do what your priest or pastor says....or go to seminary and do what they say...
JESUS IS THE GREAT SHEPHERD & THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST!
Jesus did not say.. do what your best friend says...no.
JESUS IS THE FRIEND WHO IS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER!
By the way, Matthew, which I have quoted here was written to document Jesus as King. This commission is the command of a King!
JESUS IS THE KING OF KINGS!
Read the red letter words...Jesus' Words. Do them. SIMPLE.
Truly, all of the scripture (from Genesis to Revelation) is good for teaching, instruction and for correction in godly living...and inspired by Holy Spirit!
but I would direct you to Jesus' last words of commission. (quoted above) Do His Words!
We should strain all teaching within the church and all study of old & new Testament through the red letter words of Jesus.
Strain...as if you are straining fresh squeezed orange juice to make sure the seeds 😋 are not left in the drink...
for someone to choke on the refreshing drink you have prepared for their life & health. Seeds are for planting ( death, burial, resurrection).
There is a fallacy in the church that Paul's teaching is the 'end all' in theological restraint & balance... when it is actually the red letter words of Jesus.
Paul was doing his level best to stear the newly developing church. However we assume because he wrote a great deal of letters & a great deal of the New Testament...
we assume Paul has the last word. He too was a man and a growing, still developing, believer.
This dependency on Paul's words leads many to gnosticism, the very thing Paul was vigorously fighting against.
Teaching...which is only processed through intellect, rather than through Holy Spirit & Jesus' red letter words....and by burrying- deep within your heart.
"I have hidden your Words in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
Teaching processed only through intellect becomes like swallowing orange seeds whole. This will not get you the vitamin C you are needing to grow healthy, wealthy & wise. Only a belly-ache. Possibly a pendicitis. Ouch.
I caution you regularly to return to the Gospels to read the red letter words of the Master Teacher. He is, after all...The Word of God.
Lastly, how is it that Jesus promised He would be 'with us always'?
It is through the filling and out pouring (sharing, giving) of Holy Spirit.
Without this infilling and pouring back out to others... you are missing the fullness of The Gospel. Another last command or commission of Jesus was..."wait for and receive Holy Spirit".
And, without Holy Spirit, you will never be a carrier of the Good News. You will be serving juice with seeds. Good with the bad, Spirit with flesh.. tree of good & evil.
No thank you. I desire to drink from the tree of Life. Fresh juice, fresh strained...sunshine in a glass!
JESUS IS THE TREE OF LIFE!!!

