Thursday, May 30, 2019

🏳️‍🌈✝️🔻 Those Who Genuinely Fear the Lord Live a Better Life




05/30/2019


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The wicked become angry with the one who is faithful to the Lord. Their bitterness and hatred will send them to hell {eternal separation for God} 

Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!)
 
Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments.

His descendants will be mighty on earth;
The generation of the upright will be blessed.
 
Wealth and riches are in his house,
And his righteousness endures forever.
 
Light arises in the darkness for the upright;
He is gracious and compassionate and righteous (upright—in right standing with God).
 
It is well with the man who is gracious and lends;
He conducts his affairs with justice.
 
He will never be shaken;
The righteous will be remembered forever.

He will not fear bad news;
His heart is steadfast, trusting [confidently relying on and believing] in the Lord.
 
His heart is upheld, he will not fear
While he looks [with satisfaction] on his adversaries.

He has given freely to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever;
His horn will be exalted in honor.
 
The wicked will see it and be angered,
He will gnash his teeth and melt away [in despair and death];
The desire of the wicked will perish and come to nothing.

Characteristics of the one who fears the Lord found in Psalm 112:

1.      Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] Psalms 128:1
2.      Delights in keeping God’s Commandments Psalm 119:47
3.      Gracious James 4:6
4.      Compassionate Deuteronomy 15:7–8
5.      Generous Leviticus 25:35-37
6.      Trusting Psalm 41:1-3 Acts 5 – Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
7.      Fearless 2 Timothy 1:7
8.      Established Heart Matthew 5:8
9.      Immovable Psalm 16:8
10.  Uncompromising Psalm 119:1-4
11.  Consistent James 1:17 
12.  Righteous Psalm 1:1-6
13.  Balanced Psalm 19
14.  Stable Deuteronomy 32:4 
15.  Steadfast Hebrews 10:23 

 





Those who “Fear the Lord” do so while also delighting in the “Law of the Lord”. Let us look now at Four {4} reasons we should “Delight in the Law of the Lord”.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law [His precepts and teachings] he [habitually] meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2

I have heard so many, who read the commandments and the law of God in the Scriptures, and they are quick to characterize God as a “Mean Boss”. They follow this with statements about Christianity being nothing more than a bunch of old fashioned rules that must be followed. I hear comments like this: ‘Do this, don’t do that; Be hear, don’t go there; Read this, don’t read that; Give this; Dress this way, don’t dress that way; Talk this way, don’t talk that way”; and the list goes on and on. Have you ever had to listen to someone criticize the God you love and serve and the Scriptures you read to give you life? It can be quite draining.

These people question how it is that the Psalmist could possibly “delight himself” in the Law of the Lord and meditate on it day and night. They wonder why anyone would want to dwell so much on something that seems so burdensome. As you study the Scriptures found in the Psalm, you realize that the Psalmist has learned that the law was NEVER meant to be a burden that weighs you down; quite the opposite is true. The Law of the Lord is meant to be light-weight because of Jesus and a light to illuminate the path you are walking in this dark world.

But you, believers, [all you who believe in Christ as Savior and acknowledge Him as God’s Son] are not in spiritual darkness [nor held by its power], that the day [of judgment] would overtake you [by surprise] like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We do not belong to the night or to darkness. 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5

The Light shines on in the darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it]. John 1:5

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:23-30

Now let’s look at four {4} benefits that God’s Law gives us which will lead us to delight in the Law of the Lord.

1.      God’s Law Reveals Our Sin {Romans 3:20}

As God upholds the law revealing His character, we realize that we fall short of living up to His standard. We find out that ALL of us are flawed and faulty people that come up drastically short of the glory of God {Romans 3:10, 23}. I don’t think you need much convincing that you are not perfect; however, as we look into the Law of God we realize the REALITY is abundantly clear. Who among us has NEVER told a lie? Who among us has NEVER coveted something a co-worker or neighbor has? Who among us has NEVER disrespected our parents?

You may be sitting there reading this wondering how this is a benefit because it makes you feel bad about yourself. This revelation HURTS, however it is a TRUTH we need. It is this truth of your sinfulness that leads you to repentance at the cross. It is this truth that reveals your need for a Savior. It is this truth that shows you the beauty, the glory, the majesty of Jesus. Let this truth hurt, for it is only for a moment before it is replaced with a joy that is unspeakable and full of glory. As we set our gaze upon the risen Christ who stood in our place, we realize He loved us so much that bearing the wrath of God for our sin so we would not have to was an honor to Him Now that we know the law leads us to the cross, to Jesus Himself, let us greatly delight ourselves in the Law of the Lord!

Now when you look at commandments in Scripture that cause you to recognize how weak you really are, let this thought lead you to delight in your perfect Savior!

2.      God’s Law Reveals God Himself {Romans 3:21}

The commandments from God in His Word reveal who God is. Not only do these commands tell a story of who God is; God’s laws reveal to us that He is the God of justice, love, kindness, He cares for those who are needy and others who are unable to care for themselves as well as a jealous God who requires commitment from those who call Him Lord of their lives. As you study the Bible you will come across different commands from God. When you encounter these commands, ask yourself, “What does this reveal about who God is?” As you study the Law of God you will begin to understand how great a gift it is to receive a clearer picture of who God is in our lives.
Take a moment now to see what Paul says on knowing God…

But more than that, I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3:8-9

As you begin to see how valuable it is to know more about Jesus, God the Father and the Holy Spirit; you realize how valuable the Law of God, the commandments of Christ and the instruction by the Holy Spirit becomes through knowing the Word. Let this knowledge sink in so together we can delight ourselves in the Law of the Lord.

3.      God’s Law Reveals How to Express our Gratitude towards Him

As the Laws are being given out throughout Scripture we see a redemptive relationship is always established prior to the requirements given. It is through a loving relationship established in God’s grace that leads our hearts to be filled with love and gratitude towards God. We should want to live for the God who graciously saved us and desire to please Him. But how can we do that? Where should we invest our lives? How should we now live?

God’s law answers those questions for us. Even though many of the Old Testament laws no longer apply to us today because we have been freed from the Law in Christ, there are still so many that do and as we look at them we should see them as outlets for worship, not chains to weigh us down. Therefore we should delight ourselves in the Law of the Lord as it provides us the direction we need since we have been transferred from the domain of darkness to the kingdom of His beloved Son {Colossians 1:13-14, Ephesians 5:8}. 

4.      God’s Law Restrains Sin

God’s law restrains sin. Without law chaos would reign {Romans 2:14-15}. It is a nice thing to be able to walk around outside without the fear of being assaulted, isn’t it? There is comfort in knowing that those who commit violent crimes will be punished and kept apart from the rest of society, isn’t there? Without Law human beings become vile {Romans 1:18-32}.

God gave the law so we could use it as civil law to create a more peaceable life {Matthew 5:44-55}. Therefore let us delight in the law of the Lord as it is a gracious gift meant to give us more peaceable life.

      Delighting in the Law of the Lord 


When we delight in the Law of Lord instead of walking around as if we are being weighed down, we will actually feel the love of God in our lives. God is proving to us that we are loved and He has our best interest in His heart. Remember that God’s law is a tool to help us get away from sin, to know Him more intimately finding great joy in Him, to us an outlet for deeper worship and finally to find more peace in our lives so we may live for His glory {Romans 13:1-7, 1 Timothy 2:1-2}.


If you genuinely Fear the Lord’s Words then you will strife to live an Uncompromising life before Him. Through prayer, study of God’s Word and faithfulness to Him we are given the strength and courage to stand up against the evil in this world that tries to bring us down. I pray you will find these examples of uncompromising beneficial as you apply the Word of God to your life.

Uncompromising

The men and women who will not compromise are those who:

1.      Watch and Pray – Matthew 26:41
2.      Don’t even start down an evil path – Proverbs 4:14-15
3.      Won’t let sinners influence them – Proverbs 1:10
4.      Walk righteously – Isaiah 33:15-16
5.      Resists comprise – 1 Corinthians 10:13
6.      Don’t even give the Devil a chance – Ephesians 4:27
7.      Stand with Christ and NOT Satan – Matthew 12:30

The Covenanters were a Scottish Presbyterian movement that played an important part in the history of Scotland and to a lesser extent that of England and of Ireland, during the 17th century.

I have enjoyed reading about the Covenanters at a time in the history of England when the government demanded that the King was to be recognized as the head of the church. And there were a group of Scottish people who for the most part who refused to recognize the King as the head of the church because they said "Jesus Christ is the head of the church." {Colossians 1:18}

One of the most notable was a preacher by the name of Richard Cameron. And one day a knock on the door of Richard Cameron's father. He went to the door to find a messenger there who opened a box and in the box he had the head and the hands of his son. And his father responded by saying "The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord." {Job 1:21} Here we find a father who misquotes scripture as if he is speaking the truth. There are those who have paid immense prices to stand their ground and not compromise their faith no matter the cost. We hear all the time on the other hand about people, like this father, who boast of their moral standards who talk a good game. We like to praise them for the righteousness of their character, their great set of convictions and yet for some ungodly purpose they sell out.

Here are few saints of God that did NOT compromise, Moses before Pharaoh {Exodus 7-12}, Shiphrah and Puah were two midwives who feared God and did not do what the King Pharaoh commanded them to do {Exodus 1}, David many times {Psalm 119}, Ruth with Naomi {Ruth 1:14-22}, Mary the mother of Jesus did as God commanded even if the world would not understand {Luke 1:29-38}, Paul before Felix, Festus and Agrippa {Acts 24-26}, but no-one is a better illustration of an uncompromising life than Daniel. He provides for us the clearest illustration of what it is to live without compromise. Read Daniel 1-12 to learn more about the uncompromising lives of Daniel {Belteshazzar}, Hanaiah {Shadrach}, Mishael {Meshach}, Azariah {Abed-nego}.

The men and women in this section compromised the will of God for their lives and ultimately paid the price for their compromises. I pray you will learn from these men and women and chose to make a conscious effort to live an uncompromising life that glorifies God; not a compromising life that leads to your demise.

Compromise

1.      Lead away by vain philosophy – Colossians 2:8
2.      Fail to accept the Word as sound doctrine – 2 Timothy 4:3-4
3.      Lover’s of self putting your needs and others before God – 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Acts 5:4
4.      False preachers after your pocketbook – Matthew 7:15-20
5.      Unkind and quarrelsome – 2 Timothy 2:24-26
6.      One’s who are wicked and stifle the truth  - Romans 1:18-24
7.      Refuse to acknowledge God as Creator – Romans 1:28-32

People will say they believe everything in Bible while attending churches where it's not even taught. People claim convictions about sin and convictions about punishment until that sin is committed by their children. People will speak out about dishonesty and corruption until it refers to someone they know and respect {like their boss who would fire them for doing so}. People have high moral standards until they're released from the bondage of a holy conscious {Romans 7:14-25}. They enter into an unholy relationship and then begin to rationalize their compromise even though the Word of God plainly says NOT to be UNEQUALLY joined to an unbeliever {2 Corinthians 6:14-15}.

People are honest until just a little dishonesty might save them a lot of money or gain for them some great advantage; however this is the wrong decision to make {Hebrews 13:18}. People know something to be definitely wrong, but for the sake of peace they will cover it {Nehemiah 4:5, Romans 1:18}. People will do an act against their claim to convictions when asked by someone they admire or fear or from whom they seek a favor {Genesis 37:26, Isaiah 29:15}. People won't say what should truly be said if they feel they might lose face {John 3:20}. Those who chose to compromise will not prosper according to Proverbs 28:13 which reads; “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy.”

We have several instances in Scripture where to the children of God compromised their standards and had to suffer the consequences of their actions.

Adam compromised God's law following his wife's sin and lost paradise {Genesis 3}. Abraham compromised the truth, lied about Sarah and nearly lost his wife {Genesis 12:10-20, Genesis 20:1-18}. Sarah compromised God's word when she sent Abraham to Hagar who bore Ishmael and destroyed peace in the Middle East {Genesis 16:1-4, 11-12}. Esau compromised for a meal with Jacob and lost his birthright {Genesis 25:29-34}; Saul compromised the divine word kept the animals and lost the royal seed {1 Samuel 15:3, 20-28}. Moses compromised God’s command and lost the privilege of entering the Promised Land {Numbers 20:7-12} Aaron compromised allowing Moses to strike the rock at the water of Meribah instead of speaking to it like God had commanded therefore he was not allowed to enter the Promised land {Numbers 20:6-13, 24}. Samson compromised righteous devotion as a Nazirite with Delilah, lost his strength, lost his eyes and lost his life {Judges 16:4-6, 16-31}. Israel compromised the commands of the Lord, lived in sin and when fighting with the Philistines lost the Ark of God {1 Samuel 4:11}. David compromised God’s standard, committed adultery with Bathsheba, murdered Uriah, and lost his infant son {2 Samuel 11:1-12:23}. Solomon compromised his convictions, married foreign wives and lost the united kingdom {1 Kings 11:1-18}. Ahab compromised married Jezebel and lost his throne {1 Kings 16:31; 1 Kings 22:29-40}. Israel compromised the law of God entered the sin and idolatry and lost their homeland {2 Kings 17:14-23}. Peter compromised his convictions about Christ denied him and lost his joy. Peter compromised his conviction about Christ, denied Him, and lost his joy {Mark 14:66-72}. Later he compromised the truth in order to gain acceptance by the Judaizers and lost his liberty {Galatians 2:11-14}. Ananias and Sapphira compromised their word about giving life to the Holy Spirit and lost their lives {Acts 5:1-11}. Judas compromised his supposed devotion for Christ for thirty {30} pieces of silver and was separated from Christ eternally {Matthew 26:20-25, 47-49; 27:1-5; John 17:12}.

From these examples we learn two important facts:

1.      In every case the effect of the compromise was to lose something valuable in exchange for something temporary and unfulfilling, which turns out to be sinful desire. Would it not be so much better to gain something valuable {your salvation and relationship with Christ Jesus} in exchange for something worthless {your sin and self-righteousness}? I will make a conscious effort to do the latter.

2.      Look at what was compromised in each of these examples: either God’s Word, a command from God, or a conviction about God. Therefore, the TRUE PRICE of COMPROMISE is a rejection of God’s Word, which amounts to rebellion against Him while promoting one’s self as the final authority.

If you take a close look at the churches today you will find a lot of this happening. It seems the church has been stripped of the Biblical Divine Standard’s of God; being filled instead with unbelief and compromise. Scripture is being reinterpreted to accommodate anti-biblical views. Philosophy is replacing a commitment to biblical truth because the TRUTH is considered poor marketing.

Today’s churches are so full of unbiblical teachings which give false comfort and justification {overlooking SIN}. These churches are full of spiritual babies who according to Ephesians 4:14 are immature and believe every new doctrine that comes along.

So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit]. Ephesians 4:14

The Word of God is filled with so many examples of men and women who lived their lives in Fear of the Lord and obedience to His Word. Even during times of hardship these men and women knew who their God was and how faithful He is to provide for those who chose to follow Him and His son Christ Jesus. At the same time we find many examples of men and women who compromised their faith and trust in God because they were afraid of what mankind would do to them. It is important to know that there is NOTHING mankind can do {including killing you} that can separate you from God.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

As you can see it is better to serve the Lord in reverent fear and have a full life including an eternity with your Creator; for the opposite is a life of misery and eternity separated from our Savior Christ Jesus. I know I would much rather spend an eternity with the One who created me and the One who saved my soul. How about you? Are you ready to go forward from this day living your life in obedience and uncompromising faith in our Creator God?
I pray you will take this lesson from Psalm 112 and the examples from the lives of the saints in the Bible, apply it to your life and live a life that is uncompromising. May God give you strength and boldness to stand against the attacks of the enemy {Satan and his demonic forces} as you move forward in your journey here on earth.

Be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Ephesians 6:10

I am leaving you with a list of Scriptures for further study to build your faith so you will be able to live a life uncompromising.

Forever in Christ Jesus service,

      Rainbow Pastor David


Scriptures for further study

 

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