John 17:8 English Standard Version (ESV) For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
Someone out there in the world may be curious about knowing God and seen this verse for the first time. We may encounter others face to face that want to come to know God. We must be clear on how that process works. We should speak the truth to them without taking shortcuts.
This is the first step. The Word given comes from God and is the Holy Scriptures, our Bible. His Word does not exist in any other form, writing, or teaching. The basis for knowing God is in accepting that all scriptures are inspired by God.
Matthew 21:42 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: “‘The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone;[the head of the corner] this was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?
Discovering what this scripture means can only be explained from the same source, His scriptures. The bible will explain itself. We cannot bounce back and forth from the bible to other sources. One standard has to be set forth as the only source of truth. We cannot use other faith based sources to discover God.
If the one seeking cannot accept using this one source we will fight an uphill battle that has shifting sand at its base. Do not allow them to use other sources to argue their points. This is not an argument.
Sincere seeking needs firm footing.
Matthew 7:26-27 English Standard Version
26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
What’s next?