Bible Ballistics: Vol. 19 No. 04 Purity Speaks For Itself???
“Blessed is the man
that walketh not
in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth
in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth
in the seat of the scornful.
2 But his delight is
in the law of the LORD;
and in his law
doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit
in his season;
his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
4 The ungodly are not so:
but are like the chaff
which the wind driveth away.
5 Therefore the ungodly
shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners
in the congregation of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knoweth
the way of the righteous:
but the way of the ungodly
shall perish.” Psalm 1:1-6
I’d like us to consider one of my favorite passages, Psalm 1; and while it is a short Psalm, it is packed full of truth and principles of the contrast between righteousness and evil. There is a continual conflict which we often forget or overlook, and we must go about God’s business with biblical insight not ignorant presumption; for when we don’t stand on truth we will stumble and fall for the lies of the enemy! Our foundation must be securely placed in Jesus our Lord, and HIS WORD, or we will be like the house on the sand which collapsed when the storms came. And my friends, the storms will come—not if but ‘when’ is the reality that we must prepare for.
Paul warned his son-in-the-ministry to be prepared to “do the work” that God had called him to; not a life of leisure, indulgence, or presumption on the goodness of God, but the “work” of God!
“Thou therefore, my son,
be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me
among many witnesses,
the same commit thou
to faithful men,
who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness,
as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth
entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;
that he may please him
who hath chosen him to be a soldier
5 And if a man also strive for masteries,
yet is he not crowned,
except he strive lawfully.
6 The husbandman that laboureth
must be first partaker of the fruits.
7 Consider what I say;
and the Lord give thee understanding
in all things.” 2 Timothy 2:1-7
We are called to follow Jesus in humble service, striving to please our master, not to presume on HIS goodness, grace, and love; but to serve HIM out of love and gratitude, seeking His will in all things. The simplest lesson on this is from our Lord:
“After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done
in earth,
as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9-10
So, as we pursue Jesus, we are to follow His example and truly pray “not my will….but thine be done”! Yet we hear so much of what I call “slot machine theology”—make your demands on God, pray your quarter in the slot, pull the handle and God “must” respond and grant whatever you have ‘demanded’! NOT! How have we come so far from the truth of ‘servanthood’? I’m not sure, but I know we must return to biblical truth and seek to serve our KING, not dictate to HIM!
“I therefore,
the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you
that ye walk worthy of the vocation
wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering,
forbearing one another
in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body,
and one Spirit,
even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
5 One Lord,
one faith,
one baptism,
6 One God and Father
of all,
who is above all,
and through all,
and in you all.” Ephesians 4:1-6
If we truly believe that GOD is “above all, and through all, and in you all”, why do we presume to be wiser than HE is? May God forgive our presumption, and direct our steps to seek His face, and humbly yield to whatever HE asks of us. As I have quoted many times in my writing, Paul’s call to the Colossian believers resounds in my heart again and again—the call to “walk worthy”! Oh, may we yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in us—in me—in you—and those around us! May God do a great and mighty work in our hearts and lives that others will see JESUS in us, rather than self, sin or ‘settled-for’!
“For this cause we also,
since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you,
and to desire
that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will
in all wisdom
and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy
of the Lord
unto all pleasing,
being fruitful
in every good work,
and increasing
in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power,
unto all patience
and longsuffering
with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father,
which hath made us meet
to be partakers
of the inheritance
of the saints
in light:
13 Who hath delivered us
from the power of darkness,
and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption
through his blood,
even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:9-14
May we be faithfully serving in love, devotion, and allegiance to the truth of scripture, not popular persuasions? Please, Lord, may we return to YOU today. May I return to faithful service in holiness, purity, and love.
“This is a faithful saying and worthy
of all acceptation.
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God,
who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth;
but be thou an example of the believers,
in word,
in conversation,
in charity,
in spirit,
in faith,
in purity.
13 Till I come,
give attendance
to reading,
to exhortation,
to doctrine.” 1 Timothy 4:9-13
And in closing a Psalm of David, and while I know I have included a great amount of scripture, may we remember and be devoted to the “lodestar” of our faith, which is JESUS and HIS WORD! HE is the living Word who died for our salvation, to pay for my sin and yours, yet HE is also the “author and finisher” of our faith– the truth of the written Word which is truly “God breathed” by the Father and the very Son of God. May we heed God’s revelation of HIS truth to our hearts today, as we hear and heed HIS call to be holy, pure-living examples of our Lord Jesus to a lost and dying world!
“Have mercy upon me, O God,
according to thy lovingkindness:
according unto the multitude
of thy tender mercies
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly
from mine iniquity,
and cleanse me
from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions:
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee,
thee only,
have I sinned,
and done this evil in thy sight:
that thou mightest be justified
when thou speakest,
and be clear
when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth
in the inward parts:
and in the hidden part
thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop,
and I shall be clean:
wash me,
and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness;
that the bones which thou hast broken
may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins,
and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart,
O God;
and renew a right spirit
within me.
11 Cast me not away
from thy presence;
and take not thy holy spirit
from me.
12 Restore unto me
the joy of thy salvation;
and uphold me
with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors
thy ways;
and sinners
shall be converted
unto thee.” Psalm 51:1-13
When we draw near to HIM, we will flourish in our faith and courage, and others will see Jesus in us; truly being “cross magnets”, drawing sinners to The Savior—The Only Savior!
“Submit yourselves
therefore to God.
Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands,
ye sinners;
and purify your hearts,
ye double minded.” James 4:7-8
Amen and Amen!!!
Bible Ballistics 