People do have different names for God. It depends on what a person has been taught while growing up. But it’s not really the name that matters. In the bible the word translated God in English, simply means “Deity”. And Deity simply means a supreme being or power. So What’s really important is to believe in that Deity, and learn all we can about Deity, and follow everything that Deity has told us to follow. But we must examine all the evidence concerning what, if anything, has been revealed to us by Deity. If our Creator has indeed revealed His will for us, then we would be very wise to follow that will, wouldn’t you say? I believe that the bible is the will of God, which He has revealed to us. And if it is, and we reject it, then we are doomed. Thanks for visiting and for commenting. May the Creator bless you in your search for His will.

Isn’t that interesting how Jesus took things a step further than the old law? the law said one thing, but Jesus said; “But I say…” and He’d explain in more detail. You must be a good student of the bible. How long have you believed in the word? The book of James sure has some rich passages. We can learn certain things, from certain books, and all together, we have the perfect will of God for our lives. Even the Old Testament is in complete harmony with the New Testament. 4500 years of writing, from so many different writers, but all in perfect harmony. That’s what happens when the God of heaven is doing the dictating. Tell me about your religious experiences, Like how you came to believe, and where you worship, and how it affects your life. May God bless you in all that’s good, Jim. PS.. Here’s something that I pray for. You mentioned that this is a hot topic for believers. Well among believers, there shouldn’t be any hot topics, because we should all believe the same. this was Jesus’ prayer to the Father, that we all may be one as He and the Father are one. that’s why we must believe the word without adding anything to it, and without taking anything away, and accept exactly what it says without our own “opinions” getting in the way. It’s a very hard thing to just accept His word for what it says, but that’s exactly what we MUST do. Thanks again

You are so right Adrian. We’re told that “these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Cor 10:11. Thanks for visiting and for commenting. What other things about the bible do you find very interesting? Are you a regular attender of worship? I pray that you will be blessed in your study of God’s word and in your life, Jim.

I find that most people have never thought of it that way either. People have gotten all wrapped up in trying to figure out how God can be three separate “Personalities” and yet be one. But the bible never uses any language that would indicate that there is even the slightest amount of distinctiveness or difference between the father, son and Spirit. On the contrary, the bible has gone to great lengths to tell us how they all are the same. If all people could simply see the different roles that each ahs fulfilled, they would have a much better understanding of God. Thanks so much for visiting. I hope you will come back. May God bless you in your understanding of His word, Jim.

With the Old Covenant, believers today can learn a lot from what the israelites did and not repeat the same mistakes as they made; as a believer I am glad I am under grace and not under the Law.

Daughter, wife, mother–that is an excellent example of how God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are one. Simple, but I never thought of it that way.
Thanks

You make a good point about them being restated in the New Testament. And Jesus didn’t make it some lullaby style of living when he restated them either! haha

He actually made things a little more detailed and what some would call “more difficult” to follow Him. One example is when he’s discussing adultery in Matthew 5:27-30 – “27 You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever LOOKS at a woman TO DESIRE HER has ALREADY COMMITTED ADULTERY with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell”

And I’m in agreement with you about James not being better than any others, it by itself is very incomplete. It was a great guide for me coming from a very evil-filled lifestyle before coming to know Jesus personally (in a very radical “Saul to Paul” style of change) though to have some basic guide posts of how to live as a Christian all in one place.

Proud of the work you’re doing here. Honored to be in the battle with you every day for this world’s sake.

Thanks for your comments. God the Father, and Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are indeed all one God. It might be easier for you to understand if you look at it this way. A as a woman may be a daughter, and a mother, and a wife (I don’t know you personally, but this is just an example) You can have three different roles to fulfill, but you are still just one person. Well, the role of the Father, and the role of the Son, and the role of the Holy Spirit, are all fulfilled by the one God. We can fulfill all three roles, but not at the same time. But God can be all three, all at the same time. God is not limited to space and time. I know that you are a daughter, but if you are also a mother and a wife, picture this. You are talking to your husband about some personal things between the two of you, and your child walks in and says: Mommy mommy look at what I’ve got, and you say: just a minute honey, I’m talking to your father. And just then, another child walks in holding the phone and says; Mommy grandmas’ on the phone. Well you can be a wife, and you can be a mother, and you can be a daughter, but you can’t be them all at the same time. that’s how it is with God. He can be the Father, and He can be the son, and He can be the spirit of God; and He can be all of them at the same time. I hope this helps you see God more perfectly. Thanks for your comments. Oh yes, one more thing. We should always pray to the Father, through the authority of the Son. Praying in Jesus’ name means to pray by His authority. And that’s what Jesus instructed us to do. But always, pray to the Father.

Sometimes people are quite taken back to learn that we don’t live under the laws of the Old Testament, including the ten commandments. But it may make everyone happier if they realized that even though that covenant wasn’t meant for us, nine of the ten commandments are restated in the new Testament. Nine of the commandments are really applicable to all people for all times. Loving God first, and loving your neighbor second. Not stealing, not committing murder, not committing adultery. Honoring your mother and father. All but one is applicable to us and restated, possibly in slightly different wording. The only commandment of the ten, that does not apply to anyone anymore, is to remember the Sabbath day and to keep it holy. The Sabbath day is no longer binding upon anyone. It is a part of the law of Moses that has been “nailed to the cross”. “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, that was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.” Colossians 2:14. The book of James is a great book, but no greater than any other. We need all the books of the New Testament to be able to know what God wants us to do today. Thanks so much for your comments and questions. Please let me know how you feel about these things.

Curious, and maybe you will hit this in your next part of this it sounds like… What are the commandments that Jesus gave for us to follow that replace the 10 commandments?

I know that he commanded us to “love above all else”, and some would say that this is the only commandment that have now in this new covenant… but that can be hard to stomach for most people who want more meat than that. Would you say the book of James is a pretty good guide for people looking for “how do I live if the 10 commandments weren’t part of God’s covenant with ME? Or any other recommendations there?

Thanks for your comments. I’m working on the follow up article which will explain more of the differences between the old and new testaments. I think you’ll find it interesting. Maybe you can be looking for it. What’s your religious background, if you don’t mind me asking? I seem to keep saying this over and over again, but if people would just accept the bible for what it says, we wouldn’t have so much religious division. We all need to pray for unity. I know it sounds like it could never be, but unity is what Jesus prayed for, so we know it’s possible. Thanks again, Jim.

Thank you for a very good article explaining the old testament and the new testament to us, when it comes to God there is much confusion in the world.

Even though God gave us his word to study and understand people still have different understanding, plus all churches do not teach the bible the same.

You have simplified this for us today, I am sure many people will have a much better understanding what the difference is now.