Prove all things and hold onto that which is good.

 

185. This is my father’s favorite religious saying, prove all things and hold onto that which is good: In other words study the Holy Writings for yourself and ascertain what is true:  Christianity: 1 Thessalonians 5:21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Man must look for the truth in all things if he really wants to know what God is trying to say to him. Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect…..”  Judaism: Deuteronomy 27:26 “Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them.” If man only listens to hearsay he doesn’t really know what is true from what is false, but if he proves all things for himself he doesn’t blindly go down the wrong path being led by those who are blind themselves:  Christianity: Luke 6:39 “Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?” So, I reiterate through Paul what I was first saying: 1 Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” This takes it a step farther, we are not only to render this teaching into our own lives, but, do so to all our fellow men as well. 1 Corinthians 2:10 “The Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” The truly spiritual soul seeks for the deeper meaning in all things. 1 Corinthians 10:15 “I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.”

       This, unbeknownst to many, is also a teaching found in the Bahá’í Faith as well as the other religions of God:  

BAHA’I FAITH: “The first teaching of Bahá’u’lláh is the duty incumbent upon all to investigate reality. What does it mean to investigate reality? It means that man must forget all hearsay and examine truth himself, for he does not know whether statements he hears are in accordance with reality or not. Wherever he finds truth or reality, he must hold to it, forsaking, discarding all else; for outside of reality there is naught but superstition and imagination.”  

(Bahá’í Faith, Abdu’l-Baha, The Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 62) 

 BABI RELIGION: “TAKE heed to carefully consider the words of every soul, then hold fast to the proofs which attest the truth.” 

          (The Bab, Selections from the Writings of the Bab, p. 133) 

 ISLAM: “Bear patiently the sufferings and face bravely the obstacles which come in your way when you follow truth and when you try to uphold it. Adhere to the cause of truth and justice wherever you find it.”  

          (Islam, Ali b. Abi Taalib, Letters from Nahjul Balaagh) 

Islam: 121. “Those to whom We have sent the book study it as it should be studied;” 48. “To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety; so judge between them by what Allah (God) hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee.” 

          (The Qur’an (Yusuf Ali tr), Surahs 2 and 5) 

 ZOROASTRIANISM: 2. “Hear with your ears the best things; look upon them with clear-seeing thought, for decision between the two Beliefs, each man for himself before the Great consummation, bethinking you that it be accomplished to our pleasure.” “So take counsel with thine own understanding, with good insight practice the holiest works of Piety.” 

          (Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 30 and 53) 

 Zoroastrianism: 1. “Now I will proclaim to those who will hear the things that the understanding man should remember, for hymns unto Ahura (God) and prayers to Good Thought; also the felicity that is with the heavenly lights, which through Right shall be beheld by him who wisely thinks.” 2. “Hear with your ears the best things; look upon them with clear-seeing thought, for decision between the two Beliefs, each man for himself before the Great consummation, bethinking you that it be accomplished to our pleasure.” 

          (Zoroaster, The Zend-Avesta, Avesta – Yasna 30) 

 Zoroastrianism: “Hear the best with your ears, and discern by pure mind. Choose the ought, man by man (every man), for his own self. Before the great trial comes, wake up to this my counsel.” “One should rely on his own conviction, and not allow himself to be drifted by the opinions of others.”  

         (ZOROASTER, Hymns of Atharvan pp. 87 and 197) 

 HINDUISM: 2.44 “By study comes communion with The Lord in the Form most admired.” 106. “(To study) this (work) is the best means of securing welfare, it increases understanding, it procures fame and long life, it (leads to) supreme bliss.” 

(Hindu, Laws of Manu chapter 1 and The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali)  

 BUDDHISM: “And whenever, whilst dwelling with attentive mind, he wisely investigates, examines and thinks over the Law-at such a time he has gained and is developing the Element of Enlightenment ‘Investigation of the Law;’ and thus this element of enlightenment reaches fullest perfection.”  

((The Eightfold Path), Buddha, the Word (The Eightfold Path)) 

 Buddhism: “Get into the habit of affirming that things are just so and not otherwise.” (Buddha, Lankavatara Sutra) 

 SABEANISM: “If thou readest, read as it is written.” Investigate reality of the word as it is not conjecture (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 70) 

Sabeanism: “Be careful; make enquiry, display kindness, show compassion.” (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapter 74) 

Sabeanism: “To you do I call and (you) do I teach, Men who have received the Sign. Hearken not to the talk of all peoples and generations.” “Be careful; make enquiry,” — into the word of God. “My chosen, ye sought and ye found, moreover ye shall seek and ye shall find. ye sought and found, my chosen ones, as the first (souls?) sought and found.” Not through coercion but by self investigation. (Sabeanism, Ginza Rba- chapters 74, 89 and 99)