"The Law of the Lord is perfect...." (Psalm 19:7)
Most of the time when the Hebrew word for, "perfect," is translated in the Old Testament it means, "without defect, blameless." What follows our text is the effect of God's, "perfection," viz., "making wise.., rejoicing the heart;..enlightening the eyes;..pure,.. enduring forever." What are you reading these days? Can it do the aforementioned?
It was the word, "perfect," which really stood out to me today. Jesus calls us to be, "perfect, even as Your Father in Heaven is perfect." It is not, and should not be, an alien term for us. Yet when you and I think of perfection, you know we are bewildered as to how it could possibly come about. The Word of God says of Himself that He, "is perfect." It is not an, "amen," which tells me whether or not I belief this. It is how committed I am to Jesus, "The Word of God," and His Words.
One recent survey revealed that while most church-goers believe the Bible "has too little influence on a culture," only 1 in 5 read the Bible regularly, which means 80% do not. "Christianity Today" reported a Gallup poll which stated, "Americans revere the Bible, but by and large, they don't read it." This is the central reason for, among other things, the chaotic political scene in the United States of America. The vast majority of Americans have no guiding principle for their nation/culture/political philosophy. This includes the self- proclaimed "evangelicals" and "Tea Party Activists." When you have a president of one party while the other party controls the Congress, you have a nation which is not committed to a political science., viz., a consistent political philosophy. Look at the States in the United States; some have a Democrat governor with a Republican legislature; some have a Republican Governor with a Democrat US Senator, and so on. Most Americans, including church-goers, are driven in life by hedonism rather than, "the Law of the Lord," which is, "without defect, blameless."
Where are you today? What is ordering what the Bible calls your, "manner of life," your life style, your guiding principle of all we do? You and I cannot be, "led by the Spirit," if we are not getting the Holy Spirit's guiding principle in life, "the law of the Lord [which] is perfect." Anyone who says, "the Lord is showing me," and is not committed to the Scriptures on a regular basis, has the wrong "lord...showing me." When the Bible says, "Try the spirits," Jesus is not saying to test them on how you feel about "the spirits." Rather, the way to, "try the spirits," is by the, "God-Breathed," Words. The Bible says, "Who will show us any good?" The answer? "Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us." This is not some nebulous "light." This is the Living Triune God Himself, revealed in Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," Who reveals Himself primarily in the Scriptures, "Perfection."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray Your Words, "Your testimonies (Words) also are my delight and my counselors....[America] clings to the dust; revive me (and my country) according to Your word." Amen.
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* Please remember to say a prayer for our Berlin Mission this Fall.
* Read about the ongoing chaos in Germany at: jhs58.blogspot.com
Most of the time when the Hebrew word for, "perfect," is translated in the Old Testament it means, "without defect, blameless." What follows our text is the effect of God's, "perfection," viz., "making wise.., rejoicing the heart;..enlightening the eyes;..pure,.. enduring forever." What are you reading these days? Can it do the aforementioned?
It was the word, "perfect," which really stood out to me today. Jesus calls us to be, "perfect, even as Your Father in Heaven is perfect." It is not, and should not be, an alien term for us. Yet when you and I think of perfection, you know we are bewildered as to how it could possibly come about. The Word of God says of Himself that He, "is perfect." It is not an, "amen," which tells me whether or not I belief this. It is how committed I am to Jesus, "The Word of God," and His Words.
One recent survey revealed that while most church-goers believe the Bible "has too little influence on a culture," only 1 in 5 read the Bible regularly, which means 80% do not. "Christianity Today" reported a Gallup poll which stated, "Americans revere the Bible, but by and large, they don't read it." This is the central reason for, among other things, the chaotic political scene in the United States of America. The vast majority of Americans have no guiding principle for their nation/culture/political philosophy. This includes the self- proclaimed "evangelicals" and "Tea Party Activists." When you have a president of one party while the other party controls the Congress, you have a nation which is not committed to a political science., viz., a consistent political philosophy. Look at the States in the United States; some have a Democrat governor with a Republican legislature; some have a Republican Governor with a Democrat US Senator, and so on. Most Americans, including church-goers, are driven in life by hedonism rather than, "the Law of the Lord," which is, "without defect, blameless."
Where are you today? What is ordering what the Bible calls your, "manner of life," your life style, your guiding principle of all we do? You and I cannot be, "led by the Spirit," if we are not getting the Holy Spirit's guiding principle in life, "the law of the Lord [which] is perfect." Anyone who says, "the Lord is showing me," and is not committed to the Scriptures on a regular basis, has the wrong "lord...showing me." When the Bible says, "Try the spirits," Jesus is not saying to test them on how you feel about "the spirits." Rather, the way to, "try the spirits," is by the, "God-Breathed," Words. The Bible says, "Who will show us any good?" The answer? "Lift up the light of Thy countenance upon us." This is not some nebulous "light." This is the Living Triune God Himself, revealed in Jesus Christ, "The Word of God," Who reveals Himself primarily in the Scriptures, "Perfection."
Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray Your Words, "Your testimonies (Words) also are my delight and my counselors....[America] clings to the dust; revive me (and my country) according to Your word." Amen.
********************
* Please remember to say a prayer for our Berlin Mission this Fall.
* Read about the ongoing chaos in Germany at: jhs58.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
