Originally posted by Anthony:
Erm, 80sU2isBest, when I asked for God's message I meant Jesus specifically... not the ten commandments. It might just be me, but I find most (if not the entirety) of the Old Testament quite humourous; it won't do.
...
The Commandments may be set in stone, but I don't consider them as such. I want the DIRECT words of God, not something that was past down the line.
Ant.
The Ten Commandments ARE the direct word of God; Moses, God's prophet, is the only one who heard it. He wrote it down for the rest of us to know.
So 80s, want me to try answering the above? This is really a big question, the complete answer is found by reading the New Testament. Besides being the Word of God, Jesus is talking throughout it. I can only give a few examples, I am certainly no expert.
Jesus spends very little time discussing moral issues. He came up against the legalism of his day that made works above obeying God. He introduces a relationship with God based on the first comandment that we love God with all our heart, mind and strength. Jesus's basic message is "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Matt 4:17b) He uses many parables to describe what heaven is and how we get there. He tells his followers to not be anxious about necessities but "Instead, seek his kingdom and, and these things shall be yours as well." (Luke 12:31) He declared that "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me." (John 14:6b) So the things that Jesus tell us we learn mostly by looking to his example, and having faith that he is the Son of God. It's not about doing the right or wrong thing, because we all sin, but allowing Jesus into our lives so he can heal those areas we have problems with. Course you have to admit you've done something wrong. (And when you have a relationship with Jesus, the Holy Spirit will let you know!)
However, Jesus does spend some time giving specifics in a section of the bible called the Sermon on the Mount (Matt.5-7). These you may have heard. Here's some examples:
From the beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-11):
"Blessed are the meek (humble)...
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness...
"Blessed are the merciful...
"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgement. But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgement." (Matt.5:21-22)
"You have heard that it was said "You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matt.5:27-28)
"But I say to you that every one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." (Matt. 5:32)
"But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; and if any one would sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to him who begs from you, and do not refuse him who would borrow from you." (Matt. 5:38-42)
"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matt. 6:14-15)
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where theives don ot break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matt. 6:19-21)
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon(money)." (Matt.6:24)
"Judge not, that you be not judged." (Matt.7:1)
One more that fits here comes from Luke 6:31, it's the golden rule "And as you wish that men would do to you, do so to them."
So Anthony, does that help at all
? I didn't have space to put down everything, and anyway that would be a whole course in Christianity! Christ is living! When you accept Christ, he is constantly talking to you, whether through prayer or daily life, and leading you by his will in what is right.