"If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. Indeed, your threshing will last for you until grape gathering, and grape gathering will last until sowing time. You will thus eat your food to the full and live securely in your land. I shall also grant peace in the land, so that you may lie down with no one making you tremble. I shall also eliminate harmful beasts from the land, and no sword will pass through your land. But you will chase your enemies and they will fall before you by the sword; five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall before you by the sword. So I will turn toward you and make you fruitful and multiply you, and I will confirm My covenant with you. You will eat the old supply and clear out the old because of the new. Moreover, I will make My dwelling among you, and My soul will not reject you. I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt so that you would not be their slaves, and I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect." -Leviticus 26.3-13
God tells His people that if they will follow Him, be fully devoted to Him, and live righteously as He has instructed them, then He will bless them. As I read this I thought back to Genesis 28, when Jacob is giving God all of the requirements God needs to meet for Jacob to follow Him (see Ultimatums from March 3,2014). Jacob said that if God would do this, this, this, and this, then Jacob would serve Him faithfully. But who is Jacob to give such ultimatums to God? Who is any man to God how it's going to be? But here we see God talking. Here we see God telling man what must happen, and what God will do if they obediently follow Him.
God promises to send rain so that the crops will grow, and He promises that the crops will come abundantly and last so that they don't have to worry about what they will eat. He promises peace, so that the people can live without paranoia, always looking over their shoulders and sleeping with one eye open. He promises that war shall not come to their land, and that harmful animals will be removed as well, so that their families and flocks may live in safety. God promises victory, few will overcome many, and the enemies will flee before them.
God promises to make them a great nation, and to fulfill His covenant with them. They will multiply and enjoy the promises made to Abraham. God promises His presence and acceptance of them. He will be their God. He delivered them from slavery so that they might enjoy fellowship together. God greatly desires for this, but in order for the people to receive it, they must desire it equally greatly. God has done so much more them, offered them so much, that they must respond in trust and righteous living to receive the blessings.
Men, God makes the same promises to us. He promises provision, protection, and peace. He offers us victory and security. He desires to dwell among us and fellowship with us. But in order to receive the blessings from God, we must pursue the God of the blessings.
This isn't a list of "do this in order to get that" rather it is the result that comes from intimate fellowship with God. When we come to new life in Him, when we delight in Him and fellowship with Him, these things are the natural result of that. And when we live apart from God, these things cannot be found. They are the result of a righteous life. The are the blessings of obedience.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Showing posts with label Righteous. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Righteous. Show all posts
Monday, September 1, 2014
Thursday, March 20, 2014
Standard of Righteousness
"Then God said to Jacob, 'Arise, go up to Bethel and live there, and make an altar there to God, who appeared to you when you fled from your brother Esau.' So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, 'Put away the foreign gods which are among you, and purify yourselves and change your garments; and let us arise and go up to Bethel, and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me wherever I have gone.' So they gave to Jacob all the foreign gods which they had and the rings which were in their ears, and Jacob hid them under the oak which was near Shechem." -Genesis 35.1-4
Jacob has been on a journey of growth. He was sent from his home to a foreign land and there learned to work. He traveled back when God told him to return home and after wrestling with God, learned to face his fear. Genesis 34 we see him largely passive and inactive, but here in the beginning of chapter 35 we see another change. God gives him instructions, and Jacob follows them.
Think back to Genesis 31, before leaving Laban, Rachel takes the idols from her father's house. Idol worship was a practice that they had grown up with, and to some extent it was practiced within Jacob's household. If it wasn't he wouldn't have had to tell them to put away their foreign gods. Jacob knew the promises that God had made him, and yet he hasn't led his family in whole hearted worship and service to God. He has allowed them to do their own thing.
Maybe this is part of the reason for his sons actions in chapter 34. Maybe Jacob did try to handle the situation correctly, we aren't told what he did. But maybe he had allowed his children too much freedom and they weren't used to their father telling them what to do. But here we finally see Jacob begin to point his family to God, and begin to set the rule for the one his family will worship and serve.
Men, you have a huge influence on the spiritual decisions your children make. Statistics show that children attending church is astronomically higher if dad makes it a priority for the family to go. If he's absent the number drops quickly. God has put you in your family to lead them to Him. Your children are not yours, they are His, and He has lovingly entrusted them to you. It is your job to love them, protect them, and point them back to Him, their true father.
Men, you are responsible for the things that go on in your household. You are to set a standard of righteousness for them to follow. You are to live with a love and passion for God and the way of holiness, and teach this same love to your children. You are to set their feet on the path of righteousness and help them follow God. If you don't then you leave them to their own idols and have failed them.
Men, it is up to you to set the standard of righteousness for your household to follow. Don't fail them.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Jacob has been on a journey of growth. He was sent from his home to a foreign land and there learned to work. He traveled back when God told him to return home and after wrestling with God, learned to face his fear. Genesis 34 we see him largely passive and inactive, but here in the beginning of chapter 35 we see another change. God gives him instructions, and Jacob follows them.
Think back to Genesis 31, before leaving Laban, Rachel takes the idols from her father's house. Idol worship was a practice that they had grown up with, and to some extent it was practiced within Jacob's household. If it wasn't he wouldn't have had to tell them to put away their foreign gods. Jacob knew the promises that God had made him, and yet he hasn't led his family in whole hearted worship and service to God. He has allowed them to do their own thing.
Maybe this is part of the reason for his sons actions in chapter 34. Maybe Jacob did try to handle the situation correctly, we aren't told what he did. But maybe he had allowed his children too much freedom and they weren't used to their father telling them what to do. But here we finally see Jacob begin to point his family to God, and begin to set the rule for the one his family will worship and serve.
Men, you have a huge influence on the spiritual decisions your children make. Statistics show that children attending church is astronomically higher if dad makes it a priority for the family to go. If he's absent the number drops quickly. God has put you in your family to lead them to Him. Your children are not yours, they are His, and He has lovingly entrusted them to you. It is your job to love them, protect them, and point them back to Him, their true father.
Men, you are responsible for the things that go on in your household. You are to set a standard of righteousness for them to follow. You are to live with a love and passion for God and the way of holiness, and teach this same love to your children. You are to set their feet on the path of righteousness and help them follow God. If you don't then you leave them to their own idols and have failed them.
Men, it is up to you to set the standard of righteousness for your household to follow. Don't fail them.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Because of the father
"Then the Lord said to Noah, 'Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.'" -Genesis 7.1
Here we get to look at something interesting that I hadn't thought about until college. We are told that Noah found favor in the eyes of God (Genesis 6.8) And here we are told that Noah alone is righteous before God. We aren't told that his sons were righteous men. The word "alone" used here is the same word used in Genesis 2.18, when God said it is not good for the man to be alone. It shows that he is the only one, that he is completely by himself. And we have the same word used here about Noah's righteousness.
So if his sons aren't righteous men, why does God save them from the flood? My immediate thought is because of their righteous father. As we work through the Bible we'll see over and over the mercy of God upon the righteous, and how it affects others as well. The righteousness of the father, saved the lives of his sons.
Now I have to clarify this, a father's relationship with God will not get his children into heaven. Everyone stands alone on judgment day unless Christ is standing with you. No matter how close of a relationship you have with God, your relationship will not save your children from Hell. You must teach them to love and fear God.
But I believe that God protects the children of a righteous man, because their father is righteous. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5.16). Again, this doesn't mean that nothing bad will ever happen to your children just because you walk with God and pray for them. They still have free will, as do others, and God allows free will to unfold. But to an extent, I believe God protects the children of a righteous man when he covers them in prayer.
Noah's sons may have loved and served God, but based on the language, I kind of doubt they did before the flood. But yet they are saved from destruction because of their father. God's mercy abounds to the righteous, and it may just save your child's life at some point. Your righteous life affects more than just you, as does the lack of righteousness. Will you choose to be righteous?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Here we get to look at something interesting that I hadn't thought about until college. We are told that Noah found favor in the eyes of God (Genesis 6.8) And here we are told that Noah alone is righteous before God. We aren't told that his sons were righteous men. The word "alone" used here is the same word used in Genesis 2.18, when God said it is not good for the man to be alone. It shows that he is the only one, that he is completely by himself. And we have the same word used here about Noah's righteousness.
So if his sons aren't righteous men, why does God save them from the flood? My immediate thought is because of their righteous father. As we work through the Bible we'll see over and over the mercy of God upon the righteous, and how it affects others as well. The righteousness of the father, saved the lives of his sons.
Now I have to clarify this, a father's relationship with God will not get his children into heaven. Everyone stands alone on judgment day unless Christ is standing with you. No matter how close of a relationship you have with God, your relationship will not save your children from Hell. You must teach them to love and fear God.
But I believe that God protects the children of a righteous man, because their father is righteous. The Bible tells us that the prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5.16). Again, this doesn't mean that nothing bad will ever happen to your children just because you walk with God and pray for them. They still have free will, as do others, and God allows free will to unfold. But to an extent, I believe God protects the children of a righteous man when he covers them in prayer.
Noah's sons may have loved and served God, but based on the language, I kind of doubt they did before the flood. But yet they are saved from destruction because of their father. God's mercy abounds to the righteous, and it may just save your child's life at some point. Your righteous life affects more than just you, as does the lack of righteousness. Will you choose to be righteous?
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Righteous and Blameless
"But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with God." -Genesis 6.8-9
Ten generations have passed since the fall and sin and wickedness has grown. It is so bad that God is sorry that He made man. At one point the crown of creation, man made in the image of God, but now they have become so wicked, every intent of their hears being evil, that God is grieved that He made them. He decides to blot them out, and destroy the world. All but one.
We find Noah, who has found favor in the eyes of the Lord, because he was a righteous man, who was blameless, and again we see the phrase, "walked with God." And Noah is going to spared from the wrath that is coming.
Noah was righteous. He had a right standing relationship with God. There was nothing separating him from God. They had intimacy and fellowship together because Noah lived in a way that pleased God and submitted to His sovereign holiness. Noah was also blameless. He was guiltless and innocent. No one could pin anything on his integrity or honor. His character was without blemish among all the men of the world. And both of these are possible because he walked with God.
Are righteous and blameless words that can be used to describe you? Righteousness is simply being forgiven of sin and living in new life from God. If you have received the forgiveness of God and are striving to live like Christ than you are righteous. This one has to come first. You cannot be blameless if you are not righteous. What is said of your character?
I have a friend, a young man who has become like a brother to me, who has felt God calling him into something very big. I've been able to be one of several people to affirm this calling on his life, and I'm very excited to see how God works all of this out. And I'm very excited for the future if all of this unfolds. But this week we had the chance to talk for the first time in months, and I gave him counsel as he prepares for the future.
I told him to live in a way where nothing negative can be said about him. To live so purely, and with so much integrity that nothing can be pinned on him. It is the guidance to be blameless. And both of these are only possible if we walk with God.
We cannot be righteous without God. We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin, so we cannot have a right standing relationship with God if we don't walk with Him. We cannot be blameless and innocent without God cleansing us and giving us new life, and the strength to live like Christ.
Would you be righteous? Walk with God. Would you be blameless? Walk with God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
Ten generations have passed since the fall and sin and wickedness has grown. It is so bad that God is sorry that He made man. At one point the crown of creation, man made in the image of God, but now they have become so wicked, every intent of their hears being evil, that God is grieved that He made them. He decides to blot them out, and destroy the world. All but one.
We find Noah, who has found favor in the eyes of the Lord, because he was a righteous man, who was blameless, and again we see the phrase, "walked with God." And Noah is going to spared from the wrath that is coming.
Noah was righteous. He had a right standing relationship with God. There was nothing separating him from God. They had intimacy and fellowship together because Noah lived in a way that pleased God and submitted to His sovereign holiness. Noah was also blameless. He was guiltless and innocent. No one could pin anything on his integrity or honor. His character was without blemish among all the men of the world. And both of these are possible because he walked with God.
Are righteous and blameless words that can be used to describe you? Righteousness is simply being forgiven of sin and living in new life from God. If you have received the forgiveness of God and are striving to live like Christ than you are righteous. This one has to come first. You cannot be blameless if you are not righteous. What is said of your character?
I have a friend, a young man who has become like a brother to me, who has felt God calling him into something very big. I've been able to be one of several people to affirm this calling on his life, and I'm very excited to see how God works all of this out. And I'm very excited for the future if all of this unfolds. But this week we had the chance to talk for the first time in months, and I gave him counsel as he prepares for the future.
I told him to live in a way where nothing negative can be said about him. To live so purely, and with so much integrity that nothing can be pinned on him. It is the guidance to be blameless. And both of these are only possible if we walk with God.
We cannot be righteous without God. We live in a fallen world corrupted by sin, so we cannot have a right standing relationship with God if we don't walk with Him. We cannot be blameless and innocent without God cleansing us and giving us new life, and the strength to live like Christ.
Would you be righteous? Walk with God. Would you be blameless? Walk with God.
"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
To God alone be the Glory!
Strength and Honor
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