What’s Your Plumbline??? A Word from THE WORD!!! #459

 

I just want to take some time today and consider what it is that we think makes us right with God— Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  Scripture makes that simple and clear.  And if we belong to Jesus are we choosing God’s Word as our standard for life, faith and practice?

“There is a way

that seemeth right unto a man,

but the end thereof

are the ways of death.”  Proverbs 16:25

Jesus (and yes, I know I use this passage a lot, but it is so important, I think it worth the repetition) makes things very clear in Matthew’s gospel.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:

for wide is the gate,

and broad is the way,

that leadeth to destruction,

and many there be which go in thereat:

14 Because strait is the gate,

and narrow is the way,

which leadeth unto life,

and few there be that find it.

15 Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheep’s clothing,

but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”                  Matthew 7:13-15

God has given us the opportunity to choose, but choose wisely, there is a test coming—in fact we face those tests almost every day, especially in our present culture.  Many today, including those within the church, seem to be choosing to measure right and wrong by what we see, hear and discern from the world around us instead of God’s Word.  If it seems ‘unfair’, or not socially ‘acceptable’, or any other of multiple reasons, God’s Word tells us what our standard ought to be.

“Order my steps

in thy word:

and let not any iniquity

have dominion over me.”  Psalm 119:133

“The steps of a good man

are ordered by the LORD:

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall,

he shall not be utterly cast down:

for the LORD upholdeth him

with his hand.”  Psalm 37:23-24

Job put it a little differently—he simply said that he esteemed “the words of His mouth”!  Do you know God’s Word well enough to esteem its words?  If it doesn’t make sense to us, it’s possible that’s because we haven’t spent enough time in The Word, in contrast to the things of the world; the things that pull us away from time with God. I know it’s a struggle, especially in times of trials and sorrows that come upon us.  But when we put God’s Word first, it will make a difference.

“My foot hath held his steps,

his way have I kept,

and not declined.

12 Neither have I gone back

from the commandment of his lips;

I have esteemed the words of his mouth

more than my necessary food.”  Job 23:11-12

I’d like to sum up with several passages from Paul, who told us to consider God’s Word as the primary source of our strength, wisdom and knowledge.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God,

a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,

rightly dividing the word of truth.

16 But shun profane and vain babblings:

for they will increase

unto more ungodliness.”   2 Timothy 2:15-16

Paul implies something here that we ought not miss; he calls us to “rightly divide” God’s Word, meaning that there is a “wrong” way to handle God’s Word.  What are you doing with God’s Word?  He goes on in chapter 3 to remind us that scripture is inspired by God, and we need to accept it as such.

“But continue thou in the things

which thou hast learned

and hast been assured of,

knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child

thou hast known the holy scriptures,

which are able to make thee wise

unto salvation

through faith

which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God,

and is profitable

for doctrine,

for reproof,

for correction,

for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God

may be perfect,

thoroughly furnished

unto all good works.”   2 Timothy 3:14-17

And another note, “perfect” here indicates mature not sinless.  And in closing, a last passage from Jesus, not dealing with simply God’s Word, but the fact that we have an enemy of our soul, who is the “father of lies”; and liars lie!  This is a lengthy passage but one that I think we often miss.

“They answered and said unto him,

Abraham is our father.

Jesus saith unto them,

If ye were Abraham’s children,

ye would do the works of Abraham.

40 But now ye seek to kill me,

a man that hath told you the truth,

which I have heard of God:

this did not Abraham.

41 Ye do the deeds of your father.

Then said they to him,

We be not born of fornication;

we have one Father,

even God.

42 Jesus said unto them,

If God were your Father,

ye would love me:

for I proceeded forth

and came from God;

neither came I of myself,

but he sent me.

43 Why do ye not understand my speech?

even because ye cannot hear my word.

44 Ye are of your father the devil,

and the lusts of your father ye will do.

He was a murderer

from the beginning,

and abode not in the truth,

because there is no truth in him.

When he speaketh a lie,

he speaketh of his own:

for he is a liar,

and the father of it.

45 And because I tell you the truth,

ye believe me not.

46 Which of you convinceth me of sin?

And if I say the truth,

why do ye not believe me?

47 He that is of God

heareth God’s words:

ye therefore hear them not,

because ye are not of God.”  John 8:39-47

And another great reminder from Jesus to close; whose sheep are you?

“My sheep hear my voice,

and I know them,

and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life;

and they shall never perish,

neither shall any man pluck them

out of my hand.”  John 10:27-28

Amen and Amen!!!

May God bless your day!!