Each of us wants to believe that the truths that we know of and are trying to live by are the “true” truths. A man works hard for each penny to make life more comfortable for his family because he believes in the simple truth that a good father is a good provider. A mother on the other hand, does whatever is expected of her by the society, she does the chores in the house, takes care for her sons and daughters and make herself pleasant in the eye of her husband. A son do the same, he tries to please his parents by doing what they tell. Each of us has our own truths that we try to live by. The “truth” that is accepted by society or the radical “truth” that is despised by the norms and tradition of this so-called civilization. A husband robs a bank because he wants to bring his dying child to a hospital, or a girl “selling” her own body to support her young siblings. The courses of actions that one would take will depend on the “truths” that was inculcated into him since childhood and the influences he had as well. Therefore, in order to realize an ideal society (eutopia) wherein man live in a perfect environment free of poverty and crimes, the “truth” that must be infused into him is the “real” truth about his being. Not dictated by the government nor by any sect or cult but by someone who knows man really well. He is someone who very well knows our being inside out, physically and emotionally. He knows what exactly a man’s body needs, his feelings and emotions. He is someone who genuinely cares for man’s welfare, no ulterior motive whatsoever. Who else can know the truth that each man must or should live by than that very person who created him-God? And the good news is that His Truths for humankind is available through His words in the Holy Scriptures. His words for man, the truth that man should live by are written in this book, just like a father’s letter for his son.
But over the years, many attempts have been undertaken to annihilate this book. History tells us of the murders that were committed just to prevent the masses from reading this all time best selling book! People of these modern times are fortunate that this wondrous book has reached our hands. An evidence of the spirit that overwhelmed this book as told by the prophet Isaiah:
“Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail, none shall want her mate: for my mouth it hath commanded, and his spirit it hath gathered them.” -Isaiah 34:16
The truths that are written in the Bible, the words of God, are like advice, admonition of a Father to His sons. If only the sons will follow his Father, everything will be all right. Since God gave us the gift of freewill, we are not robots that would simply do what is commanded of us. He gave us the power to choose. Obey Him or the otherwise. As I am discovering the wonders of this book (through the guidance of a friend), the Bible has in it the reasons of every man’s existence, how man must live his daily life, how man must relate to others, how he must treat himself, his neighbors, his family, his God.
Like, in the first place, man was created out of love. Because of God’s love to His only begotten Son, whose delight is in the sons of men.
“Then I was by him, [as] one brought up [with him]: and I was daily [his] delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights [were] with the sons of men.” —Proverb 8:30-31
God’s love to man as His masterpiece (Ephesians 1:4) is very apparent that He created man after His own image and that everything was created intended for man. Wonder why we were created lastly? Because God had first prepared everything ready before us (Acts 17:26, Genesis 1:29-30). Like a father or a mother preparing everything in anticipation of a new baby. And of course, the ultimate manifestation of God’s love is when He even gave His only begotten Son for the salvation of mankind from their sins. And in the Bible also, it is explicitly stated how man can express his love and gratitude to God. Going back to that verse Isaiah 34:16 the Bible in itself is enough. If you want to understand the meaning of a word, you do not look for dictionary but rather “seek out of the book”. For instance, many of us claim that we love God. Claiming is one thing, but proving is another thing. In what way can we express our love towards God? Can we please Him by giving Him gifts? He does not need anything since He is the Creator of everything around us!
“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” –Acts 17:24-25
So, how can a man express his love towards God?
“ By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.”
– I John 5:2
That is how to love God, to keep His commandments and His commandments were commanded for the benefit of man. In the olden days, in the time of Moses, the Israelites were prohibited to eat pork. The fats of the animal that they would offer should be burnt.
“And the priest shall burn them upon the altar: [it is] the food of the offering made by fire for a sweet savour: all the fat [is] the LORD’S.” — Leviticus 3:16
Why? Does God really need to eat the fats? Of course not! It is logical to think that it is because during that time, there are no medicine for hypertension, so if man would indulge in eating pork like today, many would have died in cardiovascular diseases.
A person is considered unclean when a he touches a body of a dead animal (Leviticus 11:31-32). It is only later through the invention of the microscope that man became aware that there are micro organisms invisible to the naked eye such us bacteria and viruses. These commandments were given in order to protect man. And in all of the aspects of everyday living, God has something to say. To cite a few:
God condemns idleness: “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” – Ephesians 4:28
How to treat your family: “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” — 1 Timothy 5:8
“And honour not his father or his mother…” – Mathew 15:6
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.”— Ephesians 6: 1
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
How to treat your fellowmen: “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all [men], especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” –Galatians 6:10
If only each of us would live by the Truths of the Bible which are the commandments of God,
“Thy righteousness [is] an everlasting righteousness, and thy law [is] the truth.”
- – Psalm 119:142
“Thou [art] near, O LORD; and all thy commandments [are] truth.”
– Psalm 119:151
And if we come to realize how special each of us in the sight of the Lord, and that our purpose is to walk in righteousness,
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10
An ideal society in this planet (or perhaps maybe in another world) is possible…
If only…
