If read in context, and ancient style, it's one of the most consistent works ever made given how many authors it had over what time period. It tells the "story of redemption" of God making man for a relationship, man betraying God, God redeeming man by literally dying at our hands, God continuing to drag His unfaithful partners to the finish line, and God spending eternity showing us undeserved love.
God's main requirement is to put faith in Christ and repent to enter a relationship with Him. His friends get forgiveness and grace, enemies get justice and wrath. From there, He dwells inside us to change us into what He wants. He rewards every good work He equips us for. He also disciplines our failures, like adopted sons and daughters, to keep us on the right path. He is gracious.
While telling that redemptive story, God's Word weaves together much testimony to teach us almost everything we need to know about life: God's/man's nature, God's laws/design, repeating patterns of man's behavior, different genres, prophecy/miracles for confirmation, and promises for the future. That the same message got the same results in thousands of people groups, peacefully, shows its universal power.
You wondered how to interpret it in an accurate way. Our church follows the historical-grammatical, or literal, method. We ask: who is speaking, what do their specific words mean, in what context, and for what reason then? And how does that apply today? And what do other passages say about the same topic in their context?
I'll leave you with that site in case it helps answer some of your questions. It's really the work Christ did that saves us, changes us, etc. Our actions help us live more effectively while on Earth. Every decision has an impact in eternity, too, as God will render to each for their works.
Since He promises answers, I suggest reading John's Gospel in ESV (good translation) while asking who Jesus Christ really is. You have to be humble and open to hear Him, though.
God's main requirement is to put faith in Christ and repent to enter a relationship with Him. His friends get forgiveness and grace, enemies get justice and wrath. From there, He dwells inside us to change us into what He wants. He rewards every good work He equips us for. He also disciplines our failures, like adopted sons and daughters, to keep us on the right path. He is gracious.
While telling that redemptive story, God's Word weaves together much testimony to teach us almost everything we need to know about life: God's/man's nature, God's laws/design, repeating patterns of man's behavior, different genres, prophecy/miracles for confirmation, and promises for the future. That the same message got the same results in thousands of people groups, peacefully, shows its universal power.
You wondered how to interpret it in an accurate way. Our church follows the historical-grammatical, or literal, method. We ask: who is speaking, what do their specific words mean, in what context, and for what reason then? And how does that apply today? And what do other passages say about the same topic in their context?
https://www.givethemlife.com/studying/originalcontext.html
I'll leave you with that site in case it helps answer some of your questions. It's really the work Christ did that saves us, changes us, etc. Our actions help us live more effectively while on Earth. Every decision has an impact in eternity, too, as God will render to each for their works.
Since He promises answers, I suggest reading John's Gospel in ESV (good translation) while asking who Jesus Christ really is. You have to be humble and open to hear Him, though.