What God Requires...
and what GOD does NOT require

A tablet from the on-going INTERNET BOOK, "The Doctor's Terrific Tablets"
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by John N. Todd III, M. D. (link)

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And: Circumventing and restricting GOD (link)


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Many times, in certain denominational churches, and in various rigid doctrinal organizations -- one might easily get the impression that much of the Bible is just a list of "do's and don't's" -- which God "requires" of all His people.

I do not agree with that thesis. In fact, I believe that God "understands" His people -- their "weaknesses", and their vagaries -- and even their "animal" characteristics. After all.... God designed and created His people (see link God's People); He knows them; He remembers what He is doing with each of them.... and, therefore, He forgives them for their shortcomings and misdeeds.

My understanding is that God's accepted individuals simply are not "required" to spend all of their lives worrying about which "rules and regulations" they may or may not have have complied with -- or what divine commandment they may have "broken"; or whether their "obedience" to the fine-print (link) of God's Biblical admonitions has been satisfactory. An essential part of what Jesus (God-Incarnate link) taught is that those whom God has "accepted" as His own, are forgiven -- and that the guilt of their sin is removed -- and that God's people do "not come under judgement (link)".

Note the following Biblical references:
Psalm 78: 38 (NEB) He (God) wiped out their guilt; and did not smother His own natural affection. Often He restrained His wrath, and did not rouse His anger to its height. He remembered that they were only mortal men -- who pass by like a wind, and never return.

2 Corinthians 5: 16-19 (NEB) From first to last, this has been the work of God. He has reconciled us men to Himself, through Christ -- and He has enlisted us in the service of reconciliation. What I mean is that God was in Christ -- reconciling the world to Himself -- no longer holding men's misdeeds (NIV "sins"; KJV and RSV "trespasses") against them -- and that He has entrusted us with the message of reconciliation.

John 5: 24 (NRSV) Jesus speakng: Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word, and believes HIM who sent me, has eternal life -- and does not come under judgment.... but has passed from death, to life.

Same (NIV) Jesus speaking: "I tell you the truth -- whoever hears my word, and believes Him who sent me, has eternal life, and will not be condemned. He has crossed over from death, to life."
God's people ARE required to satisfy God -- and God only. God's people do not have to satisfy "the church", or any human-being, or any group of human-beings. That's what God-Incarnate meant when He said, "Now is the time for the Kingdom of God." That is, the "Kingdom of God" abolishes the "requirements" of the man-made "kingdom of mortals" -- and annuls the "authority" that some preachers and priests, and certain rigidly doctrinal sects (link), have arrogated to themselves -- typically for the purpose of maintaining "religious", political, financial, and secular dominance over their members, and "followers". (See link Religianity and Churchianity.)

Note the following reference concerning the "kingdom of mortals":

(Daniel 4: 32 (NRSV) You shall be driven away from human society, and your dwelling shall be with the animals of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like oxen, and seven times shall pass over you, until you have learned that the Most High has SOVEREIGNTY over the kingdom of mortals -- and gives it to WHOM HE WILL.)

In the references that follow, I have recorded a "mixture" of Biblical quotations having to do with "what God requires"; and "what God does not require." These scriptures were selected by me, and "accumulated" over a period of years.... as I discovered in my study of the Bible that God is not a scowling, retributive Deity -- reading "between-the-lines"; and scrutinizing His own "fine print"; and spending His time "checking-on" His people.... trying always to detect something that we errant humans did, or didn't do..... or a "sin" that an individual may have "committed". Neither is God always anticipating and demanding "sacrifices" to Himself -- or seeking new signs of "obedience" to His "rules", in order to make His people.... those whom He designed and created.... become more "acceptable" to Him.

Remember: God knows each of His people. He made us to be what we are. (See link: "Individuation by God".) God has a plan for each of His people. If you and I deviate from that plan, God quickly gets us back on His track, in a manner that He decides. He doesn't cast us away, because we "goof" -- or because our "animal" behavior reveals itself, at times. God is not keeping a lifelong compendium of all our wrong-doings.... just waiting impatiently for His ultimate "post-mortem" evaluation -- after our departure from this life.

(The gospel song says, "Just as I Am" -- and I would extrapolate that to indicate "Just as He Made Me".)

Can you imagine a heavenly "tribunal", where you and I come before a "Court of God", and where we may be told something like the following: "Well, you did pretty well during your life-on-earth. You accomplished 49% of my requirements, but you failed 51% of the time. So, I'm sorry..... but you didn't "pass" -- therefore, you're condemned to Hell." (Really now -- does anyone actually believe that to be the way a "Great Tribunal" will function -- before God's people will be allowed admission into the "Eternal Kingdom"? I haven't found indication of any such "scenario" -- in the Bible.) (See link The Judgment.)

Read the following scriptures, out loud. "See" and "hear" what God is saying about what He expects of us -- what He requires, and what He does not require. And remember, if you and I fall short because of our human frailty, God will correct us -- not destroy us -- nor send us to eternal damnation, and doom. (After all, why did God-the-Son live for us -- and die for us -- if not to explain to us the mercy and the forgiveness of God-the-Father -- and to relieve us of our perpetual worry and anguish about whether or not we are satisfying the "requirements" of God?)



Micah 6: 6 (NRSV) With what shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings -- with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression -- the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?" 8 He (God) has told you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD REQUIRE of you, but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Luke 12: 48 (NRSV) Jesus speaking: From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.... and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.

Habakkuk 2: 1 (NEB) I will stand at my post; I will take up my position on the watch-tower. I will watch to learn what God will say through me -- and what I shall reply, when I am challenged.

John 6: 28 (NIV) Then they asked Him, "What must we do, to do the works God requires?" 29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the One whom He has sent."

Hosea 6: 6 (NIV) For I (God) desire mercy, not sacrifice.... and acknowledgment of God -- rather than burnt offerings.

Mark 12: 30 (KJV) (Jesus speaking): And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength -- this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Deuteronomy 10: 12 (NRSV) What does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God; to walk in all His ways; to love Him; to serve the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul.

Ecclesiastes 5: 1 (NIV) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen, rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools -- who do not know that they do wrong.

Jeremiah 9: 23 (NIV) This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the strong man boast of his strength, or the rich man boast of his riches; 24 but let him who boasts, boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth -- for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

1 Samuel15: 22 (NIV) But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Psalm 49: 7 (NEB) Alas! No man can ever ransom himself, nor pay God the price of that release. His ransom would cost too much, forever beyond his power to pay...... 15 But God will ransom my life. He will take me from the power of Sheol (death).

Isaiah 1: 11 (NRSV) What, to me, is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the LORD; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats.

Psalm 50: 10 (NRSV) (God speaking) For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know all the birds of the air -- and all that moves in the field is mine. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world -- and all that is in it -- is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call on me in the day of trouble -- I will deliver you; and you shall glorify me.

Hebrews 11: 6 (NRSV) And without faith, it is impossible to please God; for whoever would approach Him must believe that He exists, and that He rewards those who seek Him.

John 15: 8 (NRSV) (Jesus speaking): My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and become my disciples..... 12 This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you.

Psalm 51:16 (NRSV) For you have no delight in sacrifice. IF I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased. 17 The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Proverbs 15: 8 (NRSV) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD; but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.

Amos 5: 21 I hate, I despise your festivals -- and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. 22 Even though you offer me your burnt offerings, and grain offerings, I will not accept them; and the offerings of well-being of your fatted animals I will not look upon. 23 Take away from me the noise of your songs; I will not listen to the melody of your harps. 24 But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

Hebrews 13: 15 (NRSV) Through Him (Jesus), let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God; that is, the fruit of lips that confess His name. 16 Do not neglect to do good, and to share what you have -- for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Psalm 40: 6 (NRSV) Sacrifice and offering you do not desire; but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. 7 Then I said, "Here I am; in the scroll of the book it is written of me. 8 I delight to do your will, O my God -- your Law is within my heart."

Deuteronomy 8: 14 (NRSV) Then do not exalt yourself, forgetting the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, 15 who led you through the great and terrible wilderness -- an arid wasteland, with poisonous snakes and scorpions. He made water flow for you from flint rock, 16 and fed you in the wilderness with manna, that your ancestors did not know -- to humble you, and to test you, and in the end, to do you good.

Romans 12: 9 (NIV) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you -- bless, and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


The Bible-verses quoted above are splendid and beautiful references, concerning what God INTENDS for His people.

Now.... ignore anything that I have stated above, concerning my thoughts and musings.... and re-read these Bible-verses. Hear and "see" what God says about His "requirements".... and about what He does NOT require.

10/2/05