To learn truths from scripture there are a couple of routes you could take. Different principles come to us in the way you observe the text. There are some doctrines that are based from straightforward statements by Jesus in the Gospels and by the various authors of other books. For example, the great commission is pretty straight forward in Matthew 28:18-20. This is the basis of our belief that we are to be missional disciples of Christ.
Another way that principles are gained from the Word of God is by examining situations as they are described in narrative. The key in all of this is repetition. If an event occurs many times based on the same thing it is safe to say that this is a norm. Some say that that speaking in tongues is the sign that one is filled with the Holy Spirit. They gather this from the three times that speaking in tongues is mentioned in Acts chapters 2,11 and 13 (I am not debating whether gifts have ceased or not just whether speaking in tongues is normative when the Holy Spirit comes upon someone). But the truth of the matter is that of the seven times that the Holy Spirit is mentioned coming upon people in Acts (2:1-4; 4:8; 4:31; 6:8-7:59; 9:17-20; 13:50-52; 19:6-8) the repeated action in every instance was boldness of speech. Speaking in tongues occurred only three of the seven times. It would be true to say that boldness in proclaiming the word of God is a sign that one is filled with the Spirit rather than speaking in tongues.
One other way that a principle can be gathered is by observing a godly individual in the scriptures. Great men and women like Paul, Daniel, Esther and of course Jesus. With all of this we must have common sense. We are not all called to debate Greek stoics on Mars Hill or be thrown into a lions den or save the Jewish people from being exterminated by an ancient king and especially die on a cross for the sins of all. What we look for is the character underlying their actions. Paul was humble, Daniel was principled, Esther was bold and Jesus...well he was perfect. We can't emulate that perfection but we can try. Trying to be like Jesus is our goal as Christians though we'll never succeed in this life.
Aft of this long winded spiel on interpreting the Bible I would like to get to the point of my post: Jesus as an example of love. This may sound cliche, and this may be true but Paul said himself that he repeated key truths to his readers for their memory. I am in no way Paul but I don't think we can repeat enough the necessity for us to love like Christ or give remembrance to his love.
Basically the point that I am trying to reach is that the Divine is our picture of how to love. The instances in Scripture that exemplify Christ's love are many. Jesus said He loved us and so proved that love by going to such lengths as to even hang upon a cross and bear the sins of every human under the the sun. He did this so we, who are so grievously undeserving, could enjoy the grace and showering blessings of the Lord. Jesus served to us this reality: that true joy could be ours, and peace...and the greatest situation ever imaginable, communion with the Divine. Even before God told man that he was loved, He was working, a plan was in motion (Gen. 3:15), His love is ever being manifested throughout time.
We are called to love. To love God, to love those around us (Matt. 36-38). In whatever case, our love should be predicated upon God's love for us and how it was and forever is being worked out. In our love for God actions amplify our words. A follower of Christ bears fruit of that following. Actions of love are the truths of love being manifested in reality just as works for God is the truth of your love for Him being manifested in reality. If you truly Love God, serve Him. If you truly love one another, serve each other.We were served by Christ when he carried the most tremendous and super-voluminous burden that could ever be imagined, our sin. We should serve each other, let us carry burdens for love and Christ's example and forever let the end purpose be the glory of God. That is God's purpose for our lives.
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20
If we are a believers, Christ lives in us now. Our desires should be his desires. He loved us, let us love others. We have to loose control of our lives daily. That's the process of sanctification, daily giving up control and daily giving control to Christ. Let's loose control.
Soli Deo Gloria
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