Purify…

Purify…

Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure. ~ 1 John 3:2-3

Think about what the Apostle John has posited here for us: “Now we are the children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.” In his Gospel account of Jesus, John asserted the following: “Yet to all who did receive Him (Jesus), to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” (John 1:12-13) And so, it is with this understanding of who we are in Christ, that we are filled with the hope of resurrection and eternal life … the hope of being like Him – as He is. Therefore, John concludes that ALL who have this hope in Jesus … who place their faith in Him … will purify ourselves as we wait for His coming.

The Apostle Paul weighs in on this matter of purity as well:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 through 07:01 (NIV)

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Cf. Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27) Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (Cf. Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41) And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8) Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

Look at these promises! In Christ, we are the children of God … we are the people of God! As such, we are to separate ourselves from all things impure and unholy. Indeed, purity and holiness are rooted in our separation from the world and its fallenness. John instructed: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. (1 John 2:15-16)

In his letter to Titus, Paul concludes that the grace of God through Christ Jesus changes our hearts and the pursuits of our hearts. It is based in the blessed hope of His appearing:

Titus 2:11-14 (NIV)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.

As a child of God, are you actively striving to purify yourself? Is the hope you have in Christ Jesus motivating you to pursue holiness in response to the promises you have in Him? Like Paul, I want to encourage all of us to purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. Yes, “Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (James 4:8) For this is the call of Father God to His children! Indeed, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

Have a Blessed Day!

Will…

Will…

This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.~ Matthew 6:9-10

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray this manner, the focus of prayer was totally on the Father. To hallow the name of God means to greatly respect it; to give reverence to it; to consider it holy. The third commandment affirms: “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Exodus 20:7) Indeed, King David instructed: “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness.” (Psalm 29:2)

As we pray to our Father and approach Him with holy reverence, Jesus outlines certain prayer points that I believe guide us into effectual prayer … prayer that brings us into agreement with the sovereignty and authority of the Father (His Kingdom) … prayer that brings our wills into alignment with His Will. Jesus affirms that the will of the Father IS done in heaven, and He instructs us to pray that the will of God is done on earth as well. So, one might ask, “What is the will of God?”

The Holy Scriptures reveal God and His existence to us. The Word of God expounds upon His Nature … His Character … His Thoughts … His Will. We see all these facets of His Being unfold through His interactions with creation; His commandments and ordinances; and the truths He reveals through His prophets. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:21) Thus, we need to study the Scriptures which are filled with direct expressions of God’s will.

When they asked Jesus, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent.” (John 6:28-29) First and foremost, the will of God is for us to believe in Jesus … the Son of God … who is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His Being. (Hebrews 1:3) And God has ordained that those who put their faith in Jesus will be conformed to the image of His Son. (Romans 8:29) Yes, we are to be holy because He is holy! (Leviticus 11:44, 11:45, 19:2, 20:7, 20:26, 1 Peter 1:16)

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you His Holy Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.

My friends, it is clear that God wants His people to be set apart … to be sanctified and consecrated to serve Him and His purposes. Our Lord Jesus prayed to the Father these words: “Sanctify them by the Truth; Your Word is Truth.” (John 17:17) Even more, I find great comfort knowing this truth: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. (Philippians 2:13) Indeed, God works to align His will within us so that we will act according to His will. And so, God fulfills our prayer: Your Kingdom come … Your will be done … on earth as it is in heaven! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Open…

Open…

And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ~ 2 Kings 6:17

What an incredible experience it must have been for the servant to have the Lord open his eyes to the unseen … to peer into the heavenly realms and encounter spiritual realities hidden from our view. What incredible grace God bestows upon His people … to open our eyes to see those things that elude our natural sight.

In Genesis 21:19, God opened the eyes of Hagar, and she saw a well of water. She went and filled a skin with water to revive her thirsty son. In Numbers 22:31, the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with his sword drawn. Indeed, there are times when the Lord enables us to see the supernatural in order to reveal with His will and to align us with His purposes. But as I study the Word of God today, my heart has been drawn to and identifies with the Psalmist who wrote: “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” (Psalm 119:18) Yes Lord, “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.” (Psalm 119:34)

In Luke 24, we have the story of two disciples who were walking along the road to Emmaus and discussing the crucifixion of Jesus just three days prior. A stranger approached them and began to walk with them; listening to their unfolding of recent events and observing their downcast hearts. Then He said to them: “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.”

The stranger expounded on the ancient scriptures to explain their prophetic revelations regarding the Messiah. He affirmed to them that Jesus was indeed the Messiah – the Holy One of Israel. And as He lingered to eat a meal with them that evening, Jesus opened their eyes so that they could recognize Him. In astonishment they asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us? (Luke 24:28-32)

Later that same night, after the two had returned from Emmaus with their amazing news, Jesus appeared to the disciples as they were gathered in conversation. They were startled and afraid at His sudden appearance. Jesus said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then He opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:44-45)

My friends, most assuredly, the Lord Jesus Himself is our Master Teacher! Our Savior fulfills every word declared through Moses, the Prophets, and His Spirit. (Hebrews 1:1-3) Indeed, the Spirit of Truth guides us into all the Truth. (John 16:13) And the Truth is Jesus Himself – the Word of God! (John 1:1; 14:6; John 17:17) Oh, how I pray that Jesus would open our eyes to see all the Scriptures concerning Himself; give us burning hearts to receive and understand them; and endue us with His power to believe them! Amen.

Have a Blessed Day!

Truth…

Truth…

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)

I love how John approached this description of Jesus in his gospel narrative. The Logos of God – the Word of God … His Being Incarnate … sent from His dwelling place in heaven to dwell among us. Jesus revealed the love and grace of God. Jesus confirmed His Existence, His Being, and His Truth. Jesus told His disciples, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.” (John 14:7-10) Oh my friends, our compassionate, merciful, loving Creator HAS been made known to us; and He desires us to know Him … and to worship Him in the Spirit and in Truth. (John 4:23-24)

I believe every person who has ever been born desires to know the truth. There is a void in their soul longing to be filled with the truth of their existence. When Pontius Pilate examined Jesus, He told Pilate, “The reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Yet, Pilate was unmoved and retorted, “What is truth?” (John 18:33-38) Humans profess that we want to know truth, but when confronted with the truth, we are hesitant to believe it or to believe in Him. Jesus told His disciples: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) And He went on to encourage them: “Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (John 14:11)

It is incumbent of us to believe Jesus at His Word! Indeed, Jesus said that those who hold to His teachings will come to know the Truth, and the Truth will set them free! (John 8:31) When we walk in accordance with the truth, we’re set free from darkness. We’re released from the bondage of sin. We’re given liberty from the fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15) Yes, let us heed the things we should remember about Truth: The Word of God is Truth; and we are separated from the world by it. (John 17:17) The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth; and He proceeds from the Father and testifies about the Truth of Jesus. (John 15:26) Whoever lives by the Truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:21)

Have a Blessed Day!

Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” ~ John 8:45-47

Conformed…

Conformed…

And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you. ~ Ezekiel 11:12

To be conformed is to be in agreement or harmony … to be obedient or compliant … to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs. In the context of this verse, we see Israel under the discipline of God for living in accordance with the world … according to the prevailing customs of the surrounding nations. Paul admonishes believers regarding this same issue:“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Likewise, John urges believers to renounce all desire for the world: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)

Why is conformity with the world such a concern for those who believe in Christ? Well, if we conform to the world, we in essence submit to its ruler – the prince of this world who is destined to be driven out. (John 12:31) Moreover, Jesus told His disciples: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19) Yes, Jesus has made it clear that His followers are not of the world even as He is not of it. (John 17:16) As Jesus told Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world….”

Oh, how we need to understand that friendship with the world means enmity toward God. Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (James 4:4) Indeed, it is clear that God has predestined those He called out of the world to be conformed to the image of His Son! (Romans 8:29) For what we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

Have a Blessed Day!

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. ~ 1 Peter 1:13-15

Holiness – Reverence for God

2 Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

In our Verse of the Day, Paul gives us a great and timely message regarding our pursuit of holiness out of reverence for God. To me, the point being made is that our motivation for obedience is to be based in reverence and not merely obligation or duty. Let’s look at our passage in the larger context. Since 2 Corinthians 7 begins with the word “therefore,” we need to understand what it is there for. Thus, we will need to go back to 2 Corinthians 6 to get a better idea:

2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NIV)

¹⁴Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? ¹⁵What harmony is there between Christ and Belial (Satan)? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? ¹⁶What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (Citing Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27)

¹⁷Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” (Citing Isaiah 52:11; Ezekiel 20:34, 41)

¹⁸And, “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” (Citing 2 Samuel 7:14; 7:8)

Corinthians 7:1 (NIV)

Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

As we look at the larger context, we see Paul admonish us regarding the nature of our walk with God. His concern is about our pursuit of holiness as temples of the living God. And from this perspective, we need to look at how to keep our lives clean and righteous. To that end, Paul stresses that believers should NOT seek a “yoked” relationship with unbelievers because there is an inherent spiritual incompatibility that ensues from the relationship. He is saying we should not “bind” ourselves in such arrangements where spiritual conflict is inevitable. He asks what does righteousness and wickedness have in common? What fellowship can light have with darkness? What agreement is there between the worship of God and the worship of idols? The answer, of course, is there can be no harmony between two such opposite or opposing forces. There is a natural separation in this realm. And so, Paul takes us to the higher reality that we (the Church) are the temple of the living God. We are the Body of Christ through His indwelling/abiding Spirit within each of us….

With this view in mind, Paul sets out to address the scriptural promises that God has made with His people; believers whom He has called “out of the world” and who represent His temple. God says, “I will live WITH them and walk among them. I will be their God and they will be my people.” God calls us out of the world and says to be separate … sanctified (holy) and set apart for service to God. And in another place, God says, “I will be a Father to you. You will be my sons and daughters.” How wonderful are His thoughts toward us! How miraculous is it that the Creator of the universe expresses such a passionate desire to have intimate relationship with His people … those who have consecrated themselves to Him?

Although we live IN the world, we are not OF the world. We are the Church … the CALLED-OUT ones. Jesus said, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (Cf. John 15:19) I think this is the very thing Paul is concerned about in his appeal to the Corinthian Church. We cannot pursue holiness if we continue to pursue the things of this world. Righteousness and wickedness cannot coexist. Light and darkness are separate. What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? We cannot serve both God and the idols of our affections. We cannot have an intimate relationship with the Father if we do not consecrate ourselves to Him through Christ Jesus. But when we separate ourselves from the things of the world and commit ourselves unto the Father, we prepare ourselves for Him to enter into relationship with us. For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (Cf. Leviticus 11:44-45; 19:2; 1 Peter 1:16) Thus, Paul urges us to purify ourselves from everything that defiles our bodies and our spirits.

The Word of God is clear that the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ desire to have intimate relationship with us. The question is: “Do we want to have an intimate relationship with God?” If so, then we need to do those things with separate us from the world. The Apostle John taught: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17) These are the three primary avenues of temptation for us, and so we need to consider our spiritual strategies for separation from the world. Our greatest tool (spiritual weapon) is the Word of God! We need to read it, understand it, and put it into practice! I believe the more we engage the Word of God in our lives, the more we will find, feel, and express reverence for God.

My friends, I think the application for our Verse of the Day is self-evident. Our mission is to perfect (or complete) holiness in our lives out of respect … out of reverence … out of love for God. We have been chosen “out of the world” by Jesus Christ to serve in His Kingdom … which is not of this world either. (Cf. John 18:36) Think about the great honor and privilege believers have received to enter into His sanctifying work through the Spirit in order to be separated from the world and enter the Kingdom of Light! And the promise is that God will receive us if we are IN Christ Jesus. God Himself will love us and be a father unto us, and He will dwell among us. (Cf. John 14:23) He will be our God and we will be His chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His wonderful light! (Cf. 1 Peter 2:9) This is why we pursue holiness and righteousness in our lives. Consecration is the expression of our sincere reverence for Father God – the One who sent His Beloved Son to rescue us from darkness … to redeem us from sin … to release us from captivity … to reconcile us to Himself and to grant us everlasting life. Let these promises be our meditation with all thanksgiving for the great mercy shown to us … that we would be CHOSEN to be separated and to have intimate relationship with our Creator. Yes! Let our hearts be stirred up with these thoughts today … with fresh anointing … with fresh fire!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. ~ 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Your Word is Eternal…

Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

As we look at our world and the culture in these last days, we can ascertain that the primary cause of the unfolding tribulation can be traced to the conflict between light and darkness … between good and evil … between truth and lies. But what I have learned from the Scriptures is that truth is unchanging. The revelation of truth from God to mankind has been consistent, trustworthy, and authoritative since creation. Consider that Moses compiled the Torah around 1400 BC, and it is still the foundation of faith almost 3,500 years later. As the inspired writers of the Psalms expressed well over four centuries later: “Forever, O Lord, Your Word is settled in heaven.” (Psalm 119:89) and “All Your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” (Psalm 119:160) In another 300 years, the Prophet Isaiah would affirm, “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the Word of our God endures forever.” (Isaiah 40:8) And had anything changed by the time the Prophets Daniel or Zechariah preached in their generations?

Daniel 9:4-14 (NIV)

I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws He gave us through His servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. “Therefore, the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster. Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done to Jerusalem. Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come on us, yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to your Truth. The Lord did not hesitate to bring the disaster on us, for the Lord our God is righteous in everything He does; yet we have not obeyed Him.

Zechariah 1:1-6 (NIV)

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo: “The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. Do not be like your ancestors, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.” But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the Lord. Where are your ancestors now? And the prophets, do they live forever? But did not my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, overtake your ancestors? “Then they repented and said, ‘The Lord Almighty has done to us what our ways and practices deserve, just as He determined to do.’”

When we evaluate the historical relationship between the people of God and His Word, the Word of God has stood firm. Disobedience to the truth produces consequences … separation from the presence, provision, and protection of God in our lives. Rebellious Israel has been a solemn reminder of the realities that come with walking in disobedience and darkness … even though the light of truth had been given to them through the Word of God. When God created the first humans, they were deceived through lies into disobedience. When God made a covenant with Abraham to choose a people to Himself and to separate them out of the world – to be a HOLY people and to be His priests to the nations – we observe the continued spiritual struggle between embracing the truth of God and succumbing to the lies of Satan. Indeed, deception and distortion of the truth has been present from the very beginning … and this has been the test of faith ever since.

It is my solemn prayer for the people of God to be awake and alert in these last days! For many false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. (Cf. Matthew 24:24; Mark 13:22) There were false prophets in Israel just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves (Cf. 2 Peter 2:1) Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (Cf. 1 John 4:1-3) Indeed, we need to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord. (Cf. Jude 1:3-4) Indeed, we need to be aware … to be alert … for our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (Cf. 1 Peter 5:8)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ~ Matthew 5:17-20

Learning Your Righteous Laws…

Psalm 119:7 (NIV)

I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm in the book; and it extols the virtue and veracity of the Word of God. From its lengthy discourse, we are afforded insight into the power of Scripture to accomplish wisdom, righteousness, and obedience in our lives. Our Verse of the Day indicates that our praise and worship of God matures as we learn His commandments and judgments. I really love The Living Bible (TLB) translation of this verse which renders it: “After you have corrected me, I will thank you by living as I should!” The New Living Translation (NLT) phrases it: “As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should.” The point here is that the Word of God impacts how we should think … how we should conduct ourselves … and how we should intimately relate to God and worship Him. We can look at just the first few verses of this Psalm to get a glimpse of its overall teaching:

Psalm 119:1-16 (NIV)

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. ²Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart— ³they do no wrong, but follow His ways. ⁴You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. ⁵Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! ⁶Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. ⁷I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws. ⁸I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me. ⁹How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your Word. ¹⁰I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. ¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ¹²Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. ¹³With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. ¹⁴I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. ¹⁵I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. ¹⁶I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.

Further on, we will read about our response to the Word of God. When we exercise our “free will” and ability to choose (a willful decision), the question is what will you and I choose when confronted with the Word of God. The inspiration and deliberation within this Psalm should lead us to this same decision:

Psalm 119:30-37 (NIV)

³⁰I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. ³¹I hold fast to your statutes, Lord; do not let me be put to shame. ³²I run in the path of your commands, for you have broadened my understanding. ³³Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it for its reward. ³⁴Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. ³⁵Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. ³⁶Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. ³⁷Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Paul shared similar exhortation regarding the Word of God with Timothy when he wrote: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth” (Cf. 2 Timothy 2:15) And, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction (training and discipline) in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17) The inspired writer of Hebrews makes this point as well: “For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Cf. Hebrews 4:12)

My friends, there is a continued message for us: “Stay rooted and firmly planted in the Word of God!” For the Word of God is the power of God in your life and mine. This cannot be underestimated or overstressed. The struggle for the human will to choose righteousness and obedience is fought on the battlefield of our minds … where our thoughts are formed; and we attach words to those thoughts in order to define them. What we say and do is the outcome of our thought life. We need to remember that the Word of God reveals the mind of God … thoughts that reflect His heart and are expressed through words to us by His Spirit:

1 Corinthians 2:10-16 (NIV)

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. (Citing Isaiah 64:4) ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶for, “Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct Him?” (Citing Isaiah 40:13) But we have the mind of Christ.

As we have studied, Jesus said: “If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will and it will be done for you.” (Cf. John 15:7) And framed in a similar construct, the Apostle John affirms: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (Cf. 1 John 5:14) When we have the mind of Christ … understanding His thoughts through His words as communicated by the Holy Spirit, we will engage in prayer that will be heard and conduct that will be rewarded. This is why we need to spend time in study and mediation of the scriptures; and Psalm 119 provides a great outline of how the Word of God sustains every aspect of our lives. Jesus Himself affirmed, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Cf. Deuteronomy 8:3) And I believe Psalm 119 amplifies this truth….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Humbly Accept The Word…

James 1:21 (NIV)

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.

Our Verse of the Day takes another look at the spiritual disciplines that are paramount to our profession of faith and that lead to the obedience that comes from faith. This ‘active’ believing, if you will, plays a critical role in our fellowship with God; abiding in Him so that we are able to accomplish the good works He ordained in advance for us to do. (Cf. Ephesians 2:10) So I would like us to see them in the surrounding context:

James 1:18-25 (NIV)

He chose to give us birth through the Word of Truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all He created. My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to (or only simply read) the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says! Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

It is apparent that the study and practice of the Word of God is what will cleanse us from our natural, sinful human condition. It will reveal the moral filth in our lives. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Cf. Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God will direct us in our thinking and manifest itself in changed behavior. Without it, we are essentially lost in the forest of life … without a compass or guide for direction. I know we have looked at these other Scriptures before, but I think they are applicable to our theme:

Psalm 119:9-11 (NIV)

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

2 Timothy 3:13-17 (NIV)

But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Matthew 7:23-25 (NIV)

Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

My friends, it is my prayer that we will humbly accept the Word of God into our inner beings. I pray that we will allow it to change the intents of the thoughts of our hearts … so that we might be changed. The Word of God is the power of God to reveal His will and to equip us to obey it. And we must realize that bible study and meditation require intentional time and significant effort on our part. But if we will commit to do the work and to delight in His Word, I believe the difference it will make in our fellowship with God is beyond compare! So, I pray for each of us to make it a habit to be in God’s Word each day – finding out what it says, applying it to our hearts, and then putting it into practice.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Praise be to you, Lord; teach me your decrees. With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. ~ Psalm 119:12-16

What Is Truth?

Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Our Verse of the Day addresses the issue of sharing Truth. Pontius Pilate once asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Although we can see the context of this exchange in scripture, we cannot know for sure what Pilate meant with his retort. Let’s take a look at it for a moment:

John 18:33-38 (NIV)

Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked Him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against Him.

Jesus declared to Pilate that He was born and came into the world to testify to the truth. If anyone wants to know the truth, they should listen to Him. To that Pilate retorted, “What is truth?” But what was Pilate really asking or stating?

“What is truth?” Was he asking, “Is there really any truth in this world?”

“What is truth?” Was he asking, “Does the truth even matter?”

“What is truth?” Was he asking, “Is there an absolute truth that can be known?”

These are just a few possibilities. But what do you think about these questions? Jesus spoke a great deal about truth during His ministry – most of which is recorded for us in the Gospel of John.

John 8:31-47 (NIV)

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. I am telling you what I have seen in the Father’s presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham’s children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God Himself.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

John 14:1-9 (NIV)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.

John 17:13-18 (NIV)

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is Truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

My friends, there is a Truth … an absolute Truth which we can know! The Apostle John, an eyewitness of Jesus, affirmed: “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (Cf. John 1:14) As the living Word of God, Jesus invites us to hear His voice and to follow Him. Indeed, Jesus has revealed the truth of God … and testified that His Word is Truth! He is the absolute truth; and He said, “The truth will set you free!” We are no longer slaves to sin because Jesus has cancelled its penalty and power through the cross. We are no long slaves to fear because perfect love drives out fear. (Cf. 1 John 4:18)

Jesus asserted the reason He was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to Him. Jesus also said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” (Cf. John 20:21) And so it follows that Jesus sends us to testify to the truth … that is, to testify about Jesus – the Way and the Truth and the Life! And Paul instructs us to speak the truth IN LOVE. For if we speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, we are only resounding gongs or clanging cymbals.” (Cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. ~ Colossians 4:5-6