What does God require of us?

[Mary19]

Hi,

I am currently working on reading the New Testament for lent. I will share that I’m a newbie Catholic and I feel like I should mention this to save time for those who wonder why I don’t get it.

I’m reading this chapter

Matthew 3:13
Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”
But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. So John agreed to baptize him.

I started to question myself what does God requires of me and everyone. Can anyone help me to give me more insight and share the bible passages that will help to answer my question. Thank you for your time, God bless!

 

[po18guy]

One word: Love.

 

[Gorgias]

I started to question myself what does God requires of me and everyone. Can anyone help me to give me more insight

Sure!

First off, I’d recommend that you not use the “New Living Translation”. The editors’ approach to translation imbues it with their own interpretations, and as a result, you’re ending up with something that isn’t really there.

In fact, this passage is a good example of that problem! What Jesus says isn’t “what God requires”, which is what leads you off on the tangent of “what does God require of me?”. Rather, Jesus says that it is “for all righteousness”.

Now, that leads us to whole different question!

I’ve seen Catholic Scripture scholars point out that, just as Jesus takes on the sin of humanity so that we all might be saved, it is ‘righteous’ for Him to undergo the baptism that is meant as preparation to turn away from sin and toward the Messiah.

(BTW – I would recommend a good Bible study, rather than sitting by yourself and attempting to plumb the depths of the Bible! Also, I’d recommend that you read the New American Bible over the NLT!)

Blessings,
G.

 

[Stephen_says]

At the fear of sounding protestant

Jesus said to him in reply, “Allow it now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.”

John 6:28 So they said to him, “What can we do to accomplish the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.”

Romans 4:3 “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 9:30 What then shall we say? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have achieved it, that is, righteousness that comes from faith; but that Israel, who pursued the law of righteousness, did not attain to that law? Why not? Because they did it not by faith, but as if it could be done by works.

 

[Mary19]

I have one catholic bible study. Honestly I don’t even know how to begin bible study but I’m doing it anyway hoping I will understand better in the future. I will use that instead of the NLT next time. Thank you!!!

 

[Mary19]

This is also one of the reason I can be confused sometimes. When I failed and have a mindset that I will be saved through faith it’s like faith without works is dead. but also if I focus too much of being right and believe me I never have, I’m depressed of failing.