Consistency between old and new testament scripture is important because it implies God's inerrant truth is eternal, unchanging and therefore reliable. If there were inconsistency or divergence it might cast doubt, but God is unchanging, and we see that in His Holy book.

Therefore, look at Deuteronomy 6:5 which says we must love God with all our heart, soul and might, and be encouraged because Christ who we follow invokes this as the "greatest commandment" in Matthew 22:37. This is an amazing encouragement because it points to the unchanging eternal veracity of God's Holy Word. Christ did not come to undue the old testament truth, but to complete it.

Let's read and discuss...

Deuteronomy 6:5 English Standard Version (ESV)

5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Matthew 22:36-40 English Standard Version (ESV)

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

God Word is Eternal and Unchanging

Whether old or new testament the God of the bible desires our submission and surrender, because it is right, but also because it is for our greatest good that we should humble ourselves before His glory. The consistency of this message is clear throughout the entire bible and that is clear evidence of biblical reliability.

The bible really is one story, it really is God's true message, and we can trust its veracity in part because we can see evidence of its consistency, coherency and cogency in examples such as those above.

So, I take Jesus' invocation of the Old Testament law as evidence that God is real, and his message is true, and that is beautiful.

The Word is Coherent, Cogent, Consistent & Encouraging

God made his story coherent, cogent and consistent. The old and new testament are one story, written by humans, but inspired by God, and therefore we can see God's vision and direction woven into its fabric. That is a beautiful and powerful, because its evidence that the Bible is God's inerrant Word, not just some human made story.

I hope this is an encouragement in your faith today. I hope you see this thread of consistency that runs through all scripture and are emboldened in your faith. Our God is real, His Word is truth, inerrant, unchanging and eternal.

Praise & Prayer:

Thank you Lord. You are so wonderful that you would leave us these letters of your saving love, and offer us relationship and salvation. God help us to stand in acceptance of your truth, and love, for your glory and our greatest good. Praise and glory to you Lord. In Jesus name we pray and give thanks, amen.