Follow After Godliness

Psalm 15

There are many places that have entrance requirements, things one must do or be in order to gain entrance.  In our psalm for today, David asks the question of who, or what type of person will be allowed to dwell with God, and be allowed into His heavenly presence.

In this psalm, David, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, gives about ten or so characteristics of this person.  They are upright and righteous. They are honest, and kind in their speech to or about others. They keep good company, keep their word, are kind to the poor, and won’t take bribes.  As we look over this brief list of those requirements, it might look impossible to fulfill all of them, and it is. When we know how far we have fallen short of God’s holiness, and always will (Romans 3:23), we will realize our great need for a Savior.  In order to achieve this level of holiness, we must depend on Jesus.  He is the only one who can prepare us to abide with the Father.

That being established, let’s look at these requirements and see what we, through the power of the Holy Spirit, need to strive for.  People around us may say not to bother trying to live an upright life, but as we see, the standards and morals of this world have become corrupted, and are getting worse each day. As followers of Jesus, our standards should not come from this world’s society, but from God.

In verse two we read of someone who walks uprightly, works righteousness, and speaks the truth.  Looking at ourselves, are we trustworthy and honorable in all we do? Are we truthful? How blessed it would be if others could speak of us as being an honest man or woman.

Our words are important (vs 3).  How we use our words reflects on our relationship with God.  Are we able to control our speech? We need to be sure we speak the truth in everything.  How about the way we speak about others? Believers should never take part in slandering other people.  Our speech when talking either to or about others, should not be sharp, cutting, or scornful. That is not the way Jesus spoke to others.  Before we speak, we should be very careful in our choice of words (James 12:1-12).

Another requirement that the Lord has given is in verse four.  Here we are told to be very careful about who we keep close association with.  God has told us throughout Scripture that someone who despises Him and spiritual things will have a bad impact on our walk with the Lord (I Corinthians 15:33).  We emulate those we spend time with, so those who are our good friends should be fellow Christians.

How are we when it comes to keeping our word?  A follower of Jesus should be known as one who keeps his promises, not as the opposite (vs 4).  When we take an oath or make a promise, our word should be good, or as this passage says, “swears to his own hurt”.  Our word should not change every time we turn around. Instead we should be men and women of integrity.

In the final verse of our psalm, David tells us that God is not happy if we make a profit on loans to the poor and needy.  We should help our Christian brothers in need, not expecting a reward. Watch out that we don’t become obsessed with money, and that it doesn’t become a controlling force in our lives.  If so, it may harm ourselves and others, and destroy our relationship with God. The Word of God here also warns us against either taking or giving a bribe to be dishonest in our judgment or corrupt our conduct.

This is a pattern of the way a believer in Jesus should behave in his daily walk. As mentioned earlier, no one in their own strength can ever achieve this. However, when we’ve asked the Lord Jesus to be our Savior, and are depending upon His strength and power in us, we are able to live for Him.  God loves us so much. The fact that He does should cause us to desire to live according to His high moral standards.

Walk In The Word

Deuteronomy 4:1-9

Our Old Testament reading this week from the Lectionary of The Book of Common Prayer takes us to the book of Deuteronomy.  The people of Israel have spent the last forty years traveling through the wilderness after the Lord God brought them out from slavery in Egypt.  Now they are camped on the eastern side of the Jordan River, and Moses is going over and reviewing the laws that the Lord God gave them.

The successful conquest and full enjoyment of life in the land the Lord was going to give the people was based on submission to God’s law (vs 1).  Our salvation is through our acceptance of the Lord Jesus and His death on the cross for our sins, and not by doing good works or following any set of laws. However, we are blessed in our life when we follow God’s Word.

One very important warning that Yahweh gives us in this passage is that we are never to add or subtract anything from God’s Word (vs 2).  The Word of God is complete and sufficient for us. We cannot, and should never attempt to add to or take away from the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19).  No human being has the wisdom or knowledge to add to God’s Word. His Word is to remain unchanged. To make changes to God’s Word is to assume a position of authority over God.  The religious leaders at Jesus’s time did exactly this. They elevated their laws and words to the same level as God’s Word. Many false cults start when their leaders try to add to the Bible with their writings.  We also see those who try to remove passages in the Bible that they disagree with or consider offensive. God warns us that this is wrong. His Word is to remain intact, without adding to or subtracting from.

As Moses continued in his message to the people, he reminded them that the people of the surrounding nations are watching them, and their obedience or failure to obey the Lord is a reflection on Him (vs 6 - 8).  This is the same today. Our obedience to God’s Word is a testimony to the world that God is near His people, and that His laws are righteous. Our actions and behavior are either a good or bad reflection on God.  Many of us might have heard our parents or grandparents admonish us to behave in public, and not bring shame to our family name. The same goes even more for our Heavenly Father. We are to be a godly reflection of our Savior, a light for His love and goodness to the world, drawing and leading the world to Him.  There are some people we encounter every day who will never open up or read the Bible. They do observe us, though. Our conduct and lifestyle is the only “Bible” they will “read”. We must make sure we are truly reflecting the Lord Jesus.

In closing our passage, Moses instructs the people that it is so important that they teach their children and grandchildren the Word of God (vs 9).  As we teach our children and grandchildren God’s Word we are passing on it’s truths from one generation to the next. The world is bombarding our young people with its vain, dangerous, and false philosophies every day.  It is so very important that we reach them with God’s truth from the Scriptures as soon as we can.

How good are we doing in following these instructions Moses gave? They aren’t just for the Hebrews in his day, but are equally applicable to us today. God has strongly warned people in all eras to neither add nor subtract from His Word. He wants us to be sure our behavior will be a good witness and testimony to the unsaved around us.  And lastly here, the Lord wants us to be sure we tell our children all about Him.

Will We Follow Jesus?

John 6:60-69

Our passage of Scripture for today finishes off the account of Jesus and His teaching of Himself being the Bread of Heaven found in the Gospel of John. This sermon that Jesus gave brought a mixed reaction from His listeners. He knew what it was like to have friends and followers turn against Him and walk away.  As we look into this passage let’s see what those reasons could be, and what Jesus’s reaction was, and that of other disciples.

After Jesus’s recent discourse on being the Bread of Life, many in the crowd who had been following Him up until then decided to turn away.  Jesus was not what they expected or wanted in a leader. Some of them left when they realized Jesus was not going to be the conquering Messiah and King they expected.  At this time a large percentage of the Jewish people expected the Messiah to be more of a political king and hero, and who would kick the occupying Romans out of their country.  When these people saw that Jesus wasn’t going to do that, they turned away. Others might have left when Jesus didn’t give in to their self-centered requests. There were those who left following Him, particularly among the Pharisees, when they saw how Jesus emphasized faith and not works and deeds.  Then there were those who left following Jesus because they could not understand His words (vs 60). It was not what they were used to hearing. They were too comfortable in their ways, and didn’t want to consider Jesus’s message.

Jesus didn’t try to talk unwilling disciples into staying.  He did not alter His message to make it more palatable or politically correct to keep them.  That is something many preachers do today in order to get, and then keep, the crowds. They groom their message in order to please the crowds, giving them something they want to hear. Jesus would not do that. He preached the straight Word of God, and would not twist it around to please or keep crowds happy. Jesus wants followers who eagerly and willingly follow Him, and who understand the cost.

Jesus knows the hearts of men (vs 64).  These false disciples were only attracted to physical phenomena, such as the miracles and food. They failed to understand the true significance of Jesus’s teachings. The Holy Spirit speaks to hearts which are open to hearing Him.  It is the Holy Spirit that brings new life (vs 63). He also reveals truth to us, lives within us, and enables us to respond to truth. Those who turned away from following Jesus were rejecting the truth.

Following the defection of many of His earlier disciples, Jesus asked the Twelve whether they would also leave (vs 66-67).  Peter, responding on behalf of the group, told Him that there was no one else to go to, as they knew He had the words of eternal life (vs 68-69).  There is no other way.  There are many philosophies and self-styled spiritual gurus, but only Jesus has the words of eternal life.

We either accept or reject Jesus.  There is no middle ground. Jesus doesn’t seek to repel people.  He simply tells the truth. Many people today reject Jesus because they do not like what they hear.   They get their own perception of what they want Jesus to be. When they see that when compared to the real Biblical Jesus, their ideas of Him are not the same, they reject the Biblical Jesus.  They also, like those 1st century folks, reject Him today when they don’t get what they want out of Him, or especially when they find His words offensive.

Jesus asks us today the same question?  What will you do with Jesus? Will you walk away, or will you say, like Peter did, that Jesus alone has the Words of life?  Come to Jesus today, and accept Him as your Savior.

Christian Families

Ephesians 5:21-33

Today’s Scripture passage, dealing with the relationships of husbands and wives, has been a very sensitive and touchy one for many.  This, I believe, is because of a misunderstanding and misapplying of these verses. Rather than just getting angry and tossing this passage out, let’s take a closer look, and see what the Lord is saying here.

Many people have disliked this, and other similar passages of Scripture because of the idea of a wife being told to submit to her husband.  They feel this is an antiquated and male chauvinistic attitude, especially in today’s world. I do not believe that this is what the Lord intended when He inspired Paul in the writing of Ephesians.  There are many who have distorted the teaching of submission by giving unlimited authority and dictatorship to husbands. That has never been the Lord’s intention.

First, in our passage Paul speaks of each of us submitting to one another, not just women to men (vs 21).  Submitting to others does not mean becoming a doormat. Jesus submitted His will to the Father. We honor Him by following His example.  Submitting to others is to follow Jesus’s example of being a servant and subordinating our rights to others. Our reverence for God is our basis for submission to others.  In a marriage, both husband and wife are called to submit.  If both partners have a strong relationship with Christ this shouldn’t be a difficulty, each being concerned with the happiness of the other. All believers are equal in Christ (Galatians 3:28).

Real spiritual leadership involves service.  Just as Jesus Christ served the disciples, even washing their feet, so should we submit to and serve our spouses.  A Christ-honoring husband will not take advantage of this, and a Christ-honoring wife will not undermine her husband.  Her supreme submission is to the Lord.

The husband’s love for his wife is to be a reflection of Christ’s loving care for the Church (vs 25).  Jesus delivers the Church from the dangers of sin, death and hell. Likewise the husband should provide for, protect, and love his wife. Marriage is a picture of the relationship between Christ and the Church. The husband is to love his wife just as Jesus Christ loves the Church.  He should love them with the same unreserved, selfless, and sacrificial love Jesus has. He should be willing to sacrifice everything for her. When a husband cares for his wife as he cares for his own body, no wife would hesitate to submit to one who treats her this way.

Marriage is a holy union, a living symbol, a precious relationship that needs tender self-sacrificing care.  We should submit to each other by choice. Mutual submission preserves order and harmony in the family, with love and respect. Care for your spouse as you care for yourself, anticipating their needs. Help the other person become all they can be. Every married couple would wish for their marriage to succeed, and we all want our families to thrive.  Following God’s plan should be our first step.

Our Rock And Shield

Psalm 18

David was a man who knew all about trouble.  His life was frequently surrounded by danger.  His youth was spent looking after sheep, and he frequently encountered wild animals, such as wolves, bears, and mountain lions.  Most of his young adult years were spent fleeing for his life from King Saul. Then as king he had to fight many battles with the surrounding nations, along with an attempted coup by his son, Absalom.  David certainly did not have a life of ease. Throughout all of these often life-threatening difficulties, however, David knew the Lord God’s protection and care.

Our Psalm for today was one that David wrote, possibly later in his life.  It does not refer to any specific incident, but rather reminisces over how God came to his aid and defense each and every time he was in danger.  Do you ever feel overwhelmed with troubles, problems, and struggles? Do you feel as if surrounded by enemies, either literal or figurative? This psalm is for you.  Let’s take a look, and see how David could put his trust in God.

David knew first hand that God, not himself, was his protection.  He describes God’s care in many ways (vs 2). God is a rock. Not a small stone we kick down the street, but a boulder where we can find both safety and shelter behind.  He is also a fortress. In times of battle we can run to Him for safety, and the enemy cannot follow. He is a shield that comes between us and harm, and a horn of salvation, a symbol of might and power.  God is our stronghold, high above our enemies. In our hour of need we must look to God for our protection.

In his dark hours David didn’t depend on himself or anyone else for help.  He cried out to God (vs 6). Throughout Scripture many people have cried out to Him.  Those who were afraid, and those who were sad. There were those who were sick or grieving a death, who were slaves, or who were lonely.  Whatever our need is, if we cry out to God He will hear us.

The psalm continues to describe in very descriptive ways how God comes to our aid (vs 7-15).  The cherubim (vs 10) are a rank or type of angelic being. One of their functions are as guardians.  They guarded the way to the tree of life. They also guarded the Most Holy Place where the Ark of the Covenant was in the Temple.  Here God uses them in our aid and defense.

Sometimes our troubles overwhelm us so much we feel like we are drowning, or that our enemies are exceedingly strong, and we are weak (vs 16-19).  David was not a weakling or a coward. He was a mighty warrior. He knew, though, that even with his strength and ability he needed God. When we feel like drowning, call out to God for His help.  He will hold us steady and protect us.

Again, David called God his shield and rock (vs 30-31).  He is a shield for us to protect us when we are too weak to face some trials by ourselves.  David called God a rock just as Moses did in his song about the Lord (Deuteronomy 32:4). God is a massive, unshakeable foundation and source of protection.  God won’t always eliminate our problems, but He will give us strength and help through them. He will never leave us alone in our time of need.

We can run to safety in God’s care whenever we need to.  Be quick to run to God instead of trying to deal with problems on our own.  Pray to Him for help. Be faithful in following God in all our ways and in all our days.  We can find refuge in God’s love any time. When we feel overwhelmed and frightened by the enemies in our life, remember this psalm by King David.  God is our rock and our protector.

Choices

Joshua 24:1-2, 14-25

Choices.  We make them every day.  Often they are minor, no more significant than what to wear today or eat for breakfast.  Sometimes they are important, such as what career to go into or who to marry, perhaps even whether to follow the wrong crowd into a life of crime. In our Scripture today the people of Israel must make a most important choice.

As our passage opens, Moses’s successor, the great military and national leader, Joshua’s life is coming to an end.  He has led the people in many military battles to conquer the land the Lord has promised them. Throughout his whole life Joshua has remained faithful to Yahweh, and knowing his remaining days were few, he was concerned about the people’s faithfulness to the Lord when he’s gone.  Joshua knew the people well, having seen their unbelief and rebellion in the wilderness.

Joshua called the leaders of the people together, and told them that they needed to make a decision.  They had to make a very important and crucial choice - who or what were they going to worship? (vs 15). Were they going to worship and follow Yahweh, the true God who had revealed Himself to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Did they want to worship any of the multitude of false gods of the Egyptians where they had been slaves, or perhaps the ancient pagan gods of their ancestors prior to Abraham? (vs 14).  There were also the pagan gods of the remaining Canaanites in the land they now lived. The people must make a choice.

The time comes when we have to choose who or what will control us. The choice is ours. Will we worship God, ourself, or something else. It is a deliberate choice we make each day to follow and obey the Lord.  Every decision and action shows whether or not we will serve Him.

The people vocally proclaimed they would serve God (vs 16-18, 21). They did not keep that promise, however. Talk is cheap. We can easily say we will follow God, but it is more important to live like it. They followed God in Joshua’s lifetime, and then began to forsake Him for local gods.

What was it that drew them away from the Lord?  The Canaanites had a variety of deities, primarily Baal, Asherah, and Moloch.  Baal and Asherah were the fertility god and goddess, prayed to for abundant crops.  A good harvest is important. Several seasons of bad crops and the people could starve to death. The people easily rationalized worshipping both Yahweh and the Canaanite deities to cover every base and ensure good crops.  The same with worshipping the pagan’s god of war. Invading armies cared nothing for the lives of the vanquished, so they soon paid tribute to the Canaanite gods along with Yahweh.  When the majority of the people are praying to Baal and Asherah for a good crop during a time of drought, it is difficult to stand alone. Over the years the majority of the Hebrew people forsook the exclusive worship of Yahweh, and worshipped pagan deities with Him, many forsaking Him altogether.  This was breaking their covenant with Yahweh, as the covenant they made with Him was that they would worship and obey God alone (vs 24-26).

What has been drawing us away from the Lord?  In addition to assimilation with the Canaanites, worry or fear of having their needs met, or of war and invasion, led the Hebrews away from God.  Do our fears draw us away from depending on the Lord, and instead depend on the bank, or the government for protection? Does our love of pleasure and entertainment hijack our worship of God?  The Canaanite practice of temple prostitutes lured many after the days of Joshua.

Following God requires destroying whatever gets in the way of worshipping Him.  We can’t just hide those “gods” away. They must be completely destroyed from our heart.  We need to decide whether or not we will honor and obey Him. Flee sinful inclinations, and teach our children to worship the Lord alone.  As Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

The Body And Blood

John 6:53-59

There are several things that we all need in order to physically live. We all need oxygen to breathe, along with food and water. A person can go about three weeks without food before they will die.  The longest one can live without water is about three to four days, less if one is in direct sunlight. It’s only a few minutes before one dies without oxygen.

How about eternal life?  What does one need to have eternal life? The Apostle John has recorded here in our passage some words of Jesus that speak of eternal life.  As the Son of God, and the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus would know about what is essential to have eternal life.  Let’s look at what He has said, and see what we can learn.

Jesus said here in this passage some rather shocking things that don’t really make sense on the surface.  One thing He said was that one must eat His flesh and drink His blood, and they will have eternal life. What can that mean?  No one could actually come up to Jesus and physically take a bite of His flesh, or drink a cup of His blood right there that day.

The idea of drinking blood and eating flesh was totally repugnant, especially to devout Jews.  It was strictly forbidden in the Mosaic Law (Leviticus 17:10-11). Blood is a vital part of the human body.  If someone loses enough blood, they die. If poison, germs, or bacteria get into the blood, one gets sick, and could also die.  Blood is an element of life. Jesus is saying that His life has to become our own.

Just as eating and drinking are essential for physical life, so belief in Jesus’s sacrificial death on the cross is necessary for eternal life. Later Jesus would speak of partaking of His body and blood in the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25). The Apostle Paul also spoke of this when he repeated the Lord’s command to commemorate the Lord’s Supper in the Church (I Carinthians 11:23-26).

Today as we gather in our churches and celebrate the Lord’s Supper or the Eucharist as believers, we know that Jesus is there, is truly present with us.  As believers we have accepted the giving of His body and the shedding of His blood on the cross for us.

Many people who heard this when Jesus spoke were offended and would not accept His message.  Many of them at this time did not want to accept a Messiah who would die. They could not, and would not accept or see the spiritual significance and truth behind Jesus’s statements.

Most everyone does what they can to have enough food and water every day. Are we that careful about eternal life? Have we accepted Jesus’s death, the giving of His body and blood, for ourselves?