I believe that the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God, written by humans under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Bible serves as a love letter from God, offering inspiration, instruction, and enlightenment. By the time Jesus came to earth, many religious leaders had forgotten the personal relationship that Abraham had with God. The faith had devolved into a business, with sacrifices being mass-produced and sold for profit, as well as the exchange of foreign coins for local currency at inflated prices in the temple courts. When the leaders of that time asked Jesus what the most important commandment was, His reply emphasized the need to love God with your whole being and to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus highlighted the importance of the inner self and the intentions of the heart, pointing out that they had lost sight of personal relationship with God.
Jesus lived a perfect and sinless life on earth, teaching, healing, and, most importantly, loving His creation. When asked to show them God, He replied, “When you see me, you see the Father.” In other words, Jesus’s life reflected the nature of God. The Bible embodies the essence of both Jesus and the Father. The commandments were given to protect humanity from its own failings. The first four commandments focus on loving God, while the last six emphasize loving your neighbor as yourself. Together, these commandments encompass all ten original commandments.
When I was ten years old, I went to the lake with my family. My dad instructed my brother, sister, and me to stay out of the water while he launched his boat. However, my six-year-old brother jumped off the boat dock when our dad wasn’t looking. I called out to my dad as I jumped in after him. Not being a proficient swimmer, I placed my little brother on my shoulder and began walking him out of the water. Before I could get my head above the surface, I felt my brother being lifted off my shoulder. I then surfaced and saw my dad pulling my little brother to the shore. After that, my dad jumped back in to ensure I was safely out of the water as well. Although my little brother was scolded for disobeying, my dad thanked me for jumping in to save his life. From a legalistic perspective, I shouldn’t have jumped into the water at all.