‘Call to me, and I will answer you and readily tell you great and incomprehensible things that you have not known.’ Where do we find these great and incomprehensible things? There are only three sources on this earth to learn from and about our creator, (1) has been recorded and authenticated in human history for all people to study, (2) is internal to us and develops from study of (1), and (3) comes by hearing those speaking from the internal voice (2), which is predicated on (1). So given the complex nature of the study of truth, the "ontology" of the universe, how do we identify (3)? "Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God." - 2 Corinthians 2:17 What other verses can we find to help us authenticate (3)? How about: "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." - 2 Cor 5:20 Here are two good attributes to help us identify people who speak for God, in a sea of voices: - not peddling God's word for personal profit - pleading with people "be reconciled with God" Give me more amigos!
"On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control." - Galatians 5:22 The primary message in the scriptures, to humans at least, is the idea that God's spirit produces "love, joy and peace". If someone were claiming to speak for God, but not exhibiting these central qualities, then from where does the speech arise? Can we learn deep and incomprehensible things from "strife, jealousy, fits of anger, dissensions, divisions, sects"?
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:35 What can we derive from this verse? Many things. Baseline, the incursion of our creator into human history would produce a group of "disciples", an authentication of the claim Those people claiming to speak for our creator would exhibit love as their primary attribute That love would be "for one another", in the Greek this is "agape" (deep and true love) towards "allelios", meaning, within the group of disciples. [among each other]
Interesting how specific the Bible is, making it easy to miss an attribute and come to the wrong conclusion. "love among THEMSELVES" is a key identifier, specifically, where that love is directed. (within the group)