Walking The Way: Unpacking Faith Through Scripture

By Cade Shadowlight

   Between Shadows and Light.

Part of my very core and the foundation of my worldview is being a follower of The Way (Jesus - John 14:6). Naturally, one of my passions is biblical studies. I want to share this with my tribe. If you’re someone who prefers to avoid "Bible talk," feel free to skip this article. Another piece more to your liking will be posted soon.

I recommend looking up the following verses in your Bible and reading them in their full context. Context matters. Which translation should you use? For now, it doesn’t matter. The Bible wasn’t written in English, and there is no "perfect" translation. Most (not all) of the verses below are from the New King James Version (NKJV).

God and Jesus Are One

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." – Deuteronomy 6:4-5

“I and the Father are one.” – John 10:30 (Jesus speaking)

The Greatest Commandment? 

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?” He [Jesus] said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” – Matthew 22:36-40

Note: Jesus quoted Torah in his answer. These are not new commandments, but are straight out of Torah: 

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." – Deuteronomy 6:5 

"You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." – Leviticus 19:18 

Note: According to Jesus, these commandments don’t replace the Old Testament laws but rather are the ones from which all the others flow.

"All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.” – Mathew 22:40 (Jesus speaking) 

Suggestion: Read the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17). The first four focus on loving God, while the last six address loving others. The Torah’s remaining commands provide further details on living out these principles. We have an instruction manual for life!

Jesus Fulfilled, Not Destroyed, The Law

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. – Matthew 5:17 (Jesus speaking)

What Is Sin?

Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. – 1 John 3:4 

Note: This is the actual Biblical definition of sin: Lawlessness, or breaking God's Law.  It’s not a vague “missing the mark” that shifts with the culture. We have heard from Jesus that He did not come to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it. Jesus was the only person to ever perfectly follow the Law. He was sinless, making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. 

The Penalty For Sin

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. – Romans 6:23

Note: “Death” refers to both physical and spiritual death; the eternal separation from God.

Who Has Sinned?

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23 

For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. – James 2:10  

Note: This includes me, you, and everyone.

Is There Forgiveness?

Yes, we can be forgiven!

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5

Note: Jesus, the sinless Passover Lamb, fulfilled the Torah perfectly. Read about Passover in Exodus 12, Leviticus 23, Numbers 28, and Deuteronomy 16.

Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. – 1 Corinthians 5:7

Jesus is The Way:

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." – John 14:6

Note: Only through Jesus can we be saved. This is why I call myself a follower of The Way. 

Belief Is More Than Just Acknowledgement

You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! – James 2:19

Question: Are demons saved because they believe? 

Answer: No, because their “belief” lacks transformation. In the Western mindset, belief is acknowledging a fact (“Jesus is God”). In the Eastern mindset, the context of the New Testament, faith is deeper. It’s believing so profoundly that it changes you. Demons believe but remain in rebellion. 

Real Faith Changes You 

Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out. – Acts 3:19

“If you love me, you will keep my commands.” – John 14:15 (Jesus speaking)

Note: True faith, in the Eastern sense, transforms us. We repent, turn back to God, and strive to follow His commandments. Faith shines through our actions (works). We can’t do this without Jesus, but accepting Him isn’t a license to keep sinning.

Forgiveness Is Not a License to Sin

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? – Romans 6:1

Note: Paul here rejects the idea that forgiveness allows us to keep sinning (breaking God’s Law). Jesus says, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” We’re called to try, despite our imperfections, to follow God’s Law. When we fail, Jesus’ forgiveness is our refuge.

The Law + Jesus 

And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. – Revelation 12:17 

Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and their faith in Jesus. – Revelation 14:12 

My Journey, My Prayer

My prayer is that sharing my spiritual journey will serve as a lamp, lighting a portion of your own path as you draw closer to God.

Biblical Earth Stewardship: God’s Call to Care for Creation

By Cade Shadowlight

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Last time (article link), I laid out why common sense Earth stewardship beats ideological environmentalism hands down. Unlike environmentalism that pushes regulations or climate alarmism, biblical Earth stewardship respects human needs and God’s sovereignty. Let’s dig into scripture. After all, it contains God’s playbook for tending His creation. 

I highly recommend you look these verses up yourself and read the exact quotes in full context. Here, I'll give you my brief notes on each. 

• Genesis 1:28 - We are to subdue the Earth, and rule over it. Human lives first, but not only. Good rulers don't destroy their kingdoms. 
• Genesis 1:31 - God calls His creation “good.” Nature is important, and has value on its own merits, not just for its usefulness to us.
• Genesis 2:15 - The big command from God for Earth Stewardship. Mankind is installed by God as the caretakers for His creation - "to work it and watch over it" - to cultivate it for our use and guard it with care (the word is shâmar in Hebrew).
• Leviticus 25:2-7 - The seven year cycle mirrors the seven day creation week. Six days of work, one day of rest for us. Six years of work, one year of rest for the land. This resting of fields is an important concept in sustainable agriculture, and helps maintain healthy soils. 
• Deuteronomy 20:19 - Trees provide food, produce oxygen, and offer many benefits. God forbids their destruction as a war tactic, underscoring their value.
• Job 12:7 - Says to ask the beasts, they’ll teach you. Nature teaches us resilience and balance, like how ecosystems recover from hardship.
• Isaiah 24:4-6 - Mankind can, and will, bring destruction upon the Earth, and suffer ourselves for it, as our numbers decrease, and "few people are left." 
• Psalm 24:1 - The Earth and all of creation still belongs to God, not us. Some Christians believe God gave us the Earth. He did not. He made us caretakers over His creation, not owners.  
• Proverbs 12:10 - It is regarded as righteous to care for animals, wicked if one doesn't. 
• Romans 8:19-22 - Creation, nature, is a reflection of coming glory. 
• Colossians 1:16-17 - God as the Creator of all things, including the Earth and nature. Shall we destroy what God created? 
• Revelation 11:18 - A promise to reward the servants and "destroy those who destroy the Earth."  

Most of these aren’t direct ‘plant trees’ commands, yet they reveal creation tied to God’s purpose, as seen in Genesis 2:15 and Psalm 24:1, with humans as guardians and caretakers. It’s about balance: both humans and nature are important. Let’s live out this balance by supporting practices like sustainable farming, energy efficiency, and church-led community gardens—efforts that honor God’s creation without embracing secular agendas.

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My favorite and most often used bible is the American Patriot’s Bible, The Word of God and the Shaping of America (Amazon link). The NKJV translation is literal, accurate, and easy to read for modern folks. This study bible weaves U.S. history with biblical events, offering articles and notes that highlight God’s role in our nation’s founding and ongoing story. I personally rely on it for my studies—click the link or photo to explore it for yours!