Author: kezha1

We are to cover ourselves with humility such that others only see Jesus. Being humble means submission to one another out of reverence to God…of voluntarily yielding our needs and desires in order to serve others. The humility talked about here comes from the deep realization of our own unworthiness in the face of God’s love, grace, and gift of salvation. For we’re just like a beggar, no better off than another, except that we’ve found some bread. Peter drove home this point when he wrote, “All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.” (I Peter 3:8) Remember, we’re simply beggars telling other beggars where they can find bread.

The Lord will never call you without first going before you to prepare the way. Case in point, His call to holiness, or sanctification here. This verse states that we have the path already in place for us to follow on that journey towards holiness…but most times we bristle at the thought of the long drawn out process. But God’s plan for your life is found embedded within that process. In Romans 6:19 Paul tells it like it is, “I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.” The only way to break old habits is to introduce new ones. And the only way to strengthen those new habits is to practice them until you are proficient. That’s why the “Way to Holiness” is a marathon not a sprint…a journey not a quick jaunt, and a life-long process not a one time application.

So exactly what do you believe? For the old saying, “What you believe is how you behave” is very true. If you believe in yourself as the sole holder of your fate…what happens when you fail? Or if you believe in luck or karma to make decisions…what happens when neither work in your favor? Your behavior will follow your beliefs and you will end up angry, frustrated, and unhappy with yourself…for there is no one else to blame. But if you believe in the Good News of the Gospel Message of Jesus, the Kingdom of God will not only be of heaven but will take up residency within your heart. And with it will come a deep fellowship and communion with the Lord…turning your new beliefs (or faith) into Christ-like behaviors.

Following along in this same vein of thinking is Ephesians 4:23, where Paul again admonishes us to, “make new the attitude of your mind.” When the Lord comes into our lives He changes a lot about us…but it’s us that have to change our thoughts and actions. That Spiritual renewal of our minds is our responsibility to work on (with the Lord’s help of course) by taking our old way of thinking, our attitudes, and moral inclinations and seeking out God’s best. But I know it’s hard when the world’s newest fads and fashions are always enticing. But we can’t allow ourselves to be influenced by the external and fleeting world view of things. We are rather to pursue a deep, ongoing inner change of our old character…a spiritual metamorphosis so to speak of our old self…into something much more beautiful.

Elsewhere in the Psalms it tells us that God doesn’t ignore the cry of the afflicted or oppressed…He pays attention and listens. But God does more than just listen…He defends the weak, for the battle is His. When the unjust and cruel exercise power over the oppressed… crushing them by the abuse of their authority, God sees and will act. For mere mortal man is no match to God’s sovereign power.

Salt sustains life. Your organs function because of Electrolytes (Sodium, Calcium, and Potassium) in your body. Salt also is a preservative used to keep food from spoiling. Finally, salt signifies faithfulness. We are told in this verse that we are the salt of the earth…but what did Jesus mean when He said this? We only have to look to Him for clarification. Jesus sustains life…He preserves life…and He is faithful to His promises to us. So when He tells us that we are the salt of the earth, He is directing us to represent Him to others through the Gospel Message. In other words, we are to be His ambassadors to the world.

The concept of these verses are reflected in the modern-day expression, “Keeping on the straight and narrow.” But choosing the right path and not veering off course is where wisdom becomes foundational. Proverbs 14:12 tells us that, “There is a way that seems right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” Our way of life may seem just fine to us, but to the Lord our thoughts, actions, and speech are improper and unacceptable. So how do we know which way to take? It says to, “make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” Godly wisdom will show you the right way to take, and the Hebrew word for “paths” here actually means a rutted or well-worn path from carts or wagons…so in other words, the wisdom and discipline of the Lord will not only direct you but put you on the right path…a path that is prepared, reliable, and straight.

God’s plan and purpose for every Believer is spiritual maturity…of developing our understanding and knowledge of the truth of God, Christian faith, and virtuous living. And as we grow, the Lord equips us for works of service…a building up of the Body not only in maturity but for ministry. But this is where a lot of us hesitate and start making excuses of why we can’t serve others. Sometimes it’s laziness, sometimes apathy, and sometimes it’s out of feelings of inadequacy that we ignore God’s calling. But the Church (The Body or Bride of Christ) is called the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 1:23)…indicating that Jesus has filled His Church (that’s you and me) with all kinds of unique and different gifts and dwells within it. This equipping of the Saints is for the purpose of ministry to others…which is the true fullness of Christ played out in the world today.

Throughout Psalms we see the sentiment of this verse repeated. “Why have You forsaken me Lord?” “You seem so far away Lord.” “How long will You forget me Lord?” But the truth is…God has never moved away or turned His back. It’s just that when we’re going through difficult circumstances and distressing events our world becomes very small. Our focus goes inward in order to survive, and our emotions become raw. And if we can’t “feel” the Lord near we conclude He’s abandoned us. But “feelings” have nothing to do with it. For in just as many places in the Psalms there is lamenting of “Where are You God?” there are passages of hope and confirmation that the Lord will never leave or forsake us. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Or Psalm 27:10 tells us, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Regardless of what you may be going through today…God is there right beside you…and He will never leave.

Maybe you’ve been attending Church for a long time… maybe not…but regardless, do you know what your Church believes? Have you taken the time to read the Vision and Mission Statement, and what their core values are? Do they have a Constitution or other documents that clearly lay out their Statement of Beliefs? You may be surprised to find, just like John warned Believers here, of deceptive teaching. Usually it’s not blatant out and out lies, but rather a subtle twisting of the truth. But the bottom line is any teaching that denies Jesus as the Messiah and that He was God incarnate, and that He came in flesh and blood and will come again is false.