The Biblical Path of Life

Category: Picture with verse and blog

  • Search my Heart

    “23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

    Psalm 139:23-24

    The following is an excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life – Year Two, Quarter Two” Lesson 4:

    “As David was addressing the people before Solomon became king, notice that he was able to proclaim that he had lived a life that was pleasing to God. As we have learned, David was not perfect, but when he sinned, he repented and God forgave. Because of that, he was in a position to be an encourager to all of Israel to seek God and obey His commands. We can read of many throughout the Bible who lived a life to the end that was pleasing to God. Read what Paul wrote to Timothy. ‘I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith‘ (2 Timothy 4:7). Just as David’s words were an encouragement to all of Israel as he addressed them, Paul’s words were an encouragement to a young preacher named Timothy. Our goal as Christians is to be able to make the same claim: to fight a good fight, to finish the course God has for our life, and to keep the faith until the end. By living a life pleasing to God, from beginning to end, we can be an encouragement to others that they, too, can live a life pleasing to God…

    “David understood that God saw the intent of man’s heart. See what David recorded that can be an encouragement to us today: ‘23. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting‘ (Psalm 139:23-24) and’Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart‘ (Psalm 44:21). Also see what Jeremiah recorded about God knowing man’s heart: ‘I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings‘ (Jeremiah 17:10).”

    After reading this excerpt, understand the following:

    Remember that God knows man’s heart. Christians are not perfect, however we have instructions in the New Testament helping us understand how we reveal what is in our heart by living as a Christian: “22. That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23. And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27. Neither give place to the devil. 28. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 29. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. 31. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32. And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:22–32).

    Christians are not to live like the world. “17. This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18. Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19. Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17–19).

    Stop and think about these verses. Be encouraged to compare your own life to these verses and see what kind of a life you live in comparison to God’s Word, and the kind of witness your life is to others.

    Read the warning Jesus gave to those who claimed to be righteous apart from Christ. “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Jesus knew their heart. He understood that they lived a life on the outside that appeared to believe, yet Jesus knew what was in their heart, “all uncleanness”. They could not hide from Jesus what was within their hearts. Jesus knew.

    After reading these verses, consider the following: Knowing that Jesus knows the heart, look into your heart and see if this verse is a picture of your life. “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:16). This is a picture of a life that does not have Jesus in the heart (a Christian). If you do not really know Jesus, today is the day to meet Him. “9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

    Do you live a good life, yet with a heart that has not truly believed in Jesus?

    Knowing Jesus sees the heart, have you believed and confessed unto salvation only through Jesus?

    If you want to know how to be saved, click here: How to be saved.

  • A Servant who Lives a Life that is True

    “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

    Titus 2:14

    There are a whole host of people in this world who claim to be Christians. However, there are even fewer who actually attain to live a Christ-like life. If each Christian would remember that Christ gave His life to redeem us, it should make a difference. But more than that, we are to become the “peculiar people, zealous of good works” that He has called us to be. “11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:11-14).

    The following hymn is a beautiful rendering of one’s heart. He obviously understood what is is like to not only desire to live a Christ-like life, but to acknowledge what it takes to do it. A full commitment from the heart.

    Living for Jesus a Life That is True

    Author: Thomas O. Chisholm (1917)

    Tune: C. Harold Lowden

    1. Living for Jesus, a life that is true,
    Striving to please Him in all that I do;
    Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
    This is the pathway of blessing for me.

    Refrain:
    O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
    For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me;
    I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne;
    My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

    2. Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
    Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
    Such love constrains me to answer His call,
    Follow His leading and give Him my all.

    3. Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
    Doing each duty in His holy Name;
    Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
    Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

    4. Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
    My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
    Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
    Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

    The writer of this hymn understood that Jesus gave His life for him, thus making Christ his master. He recognized the importance of living a life pleasing to Jesus in all he did, willingly, wherever he was and in whatever he did, no matter what the cost. The author of this song was in good company. We can read of men in the Bible who declared themselves servants of Jesus Christ.

    • “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ …” (Romans 1:1a).
    • “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ …” (James 1:1a).
    • “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ …” (2 Peter 1:1a).
    • “Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ …” (Jude 1:1a).

    Many others’ lives recorded in the Bible revealed that they were servants of Jesus, living lives that pleased Him in what they did. They were recorded as examples for us to follow. Some of the most amazing lives were recorded in Hebrews chapter 11. All of those looked forward to Jesus’ coming because of God’s promise. That kind of faith is difficult to understand, yet those listed lived lives pleasing to God understanding that He would send Jesus. Today, we know Jesus came, revealing God’s grace. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11). He then told us how to live for Him. “12. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13). Knowing how to live in this present world, we must remember why. “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). Jesus gave Himself for us so that we could be a “peculiar people, zealous of good works.” We are to live lives revealing Jesus in this world.

    Have you decided to not only claim to be a Christian, but become a servant of Jesus Christ, living a life that is true for Him?

  • The Only Way of Redemption

    “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:”

    Romans 3:10

    There is a simple way to understand the separation of man from God, and the only way of redemption. However, there is a great necessity for one to recognize that apart from Christ, there is no hope.

    First, one must understand that everyone has sinned. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God examines man’s heart and our deeds. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). He says that not one of us have met sinless perfection. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10).

    Man cannot appease God’s wrath by his own actions.

    The good news is that Jesus paid the price for man’s sin. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Moreover, He paid the price with his own blood. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

    One must ask, and Jesus will forgive anyone for sin and cleanse that one of that sinful heart. If one will repent. Repent means “to imply pious sorrow for unbelief and sin, and a turning from them to God and the gospel of Christ. To think differently; a change of mind demanding a change of action.” Repentance is a response between a sinful man and God. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19). God then gives a brand new clean heart, and when He looks at us, God sees Jesus Christ. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). We now have the ability to live a life pleasing to the Lord.

    The first act of obedience is baptism. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized …” (Acts 2:41). Baptism is a picture of dying to one’s old life and living a new life “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4).

    One must then live a life that pleases Him “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). “4b. … even so we also should walk in newness of life. 11. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:4b, 11). The more we learn about this new life, the more we will live like Jesus, which should cause other people to want this new life.

    The Gospel message is very simple – one must just believe and receive when called. The invitation is available to anyone (whosoever) who will believe in Jesus. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). Jesus spent much of His ministry calling people to a time of decision – to believe in Him, or choose to reject Him. It is then a Christian’s job to tell others about this wonderful Good News!

    Once there has been such a change in one’s heart and life, it is important to learn how to live this new life as a Christian. The New Testament is full of practical application to living a life pleasing to God. The best place to start is:

    To know His Word:

    • “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11).
    • “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
    • “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, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

    To be like Him:

    • “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

    Choose friends and associates wisely:

    • “9. I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world” (1 Corinthians 5:9-10). Company with means to mix together; to mingle; have fellowship or keep company with. Fornicators means an impure or unclean person of whatever kind. Covetous means one who wants more or something that others have; a defrauder for gain. Extortioners means preying upon or seizing by violence; one who extorts. To do any of these things, one would have to go out into the world, with people of this world, to do them. Paul was warning the Christians to avoid, not company with, people like this.
    • “14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 16b. … as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (2 Corinthians 6:14, 16b-18). God wants Christians, God’s “sons and daughters”, to not keep company with the world.

    Have you believed and received the gift of Salvation only available through Jesus?

    Have you focused upon living a new life in Christ?

  • A Form Without Power

    “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”

    2 Timothy 3:5

    In the Old Testament divided kingdom years, Israel had the form of worship (a religion) without the power (true nature) of that worship of God. King Jeroboam established two places of worship at Dan and Bethel, with golden calves in each city. They still performed sacrifices, but they were to idols — not to God. They “practiced” their religion as they always had, but they were denying the “power” of God because they replaced Him with the idols. Because of this, they never had a good king. We learned that each king “took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin” (2 Kings 10:31). Those sacrifices were supposed to remind them of their sin, and that God would send One to remove that sin. Without the correct worship, they would never seek for their Messiah (which was Jesus).

    This helps us recognize that Israel had ceased to worship God. They had been practicing a religion. God could not be recognized in that empty religion. When God could not be seen in the lives of Israel by others, God sent Jonah to be a testimony to the people of Nineveh. God was vividly seen in the life of Jonah as he was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. When the people of Nineveh saw Jonah and heard his testimony, they believed in God and repented (Jonah 3:5).

    When Jesus came, He reminded the people of Jonah (see Luke 11:29-32). Jesus was greater than Jonah who survived three days and three nights in the belly of the whale. The nation of Israel rejected Jesus. Jesus was crucified, but on the third day, He rose from the dead. Jesus revealed the only way to God was through Him. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Only those who believe Jesus is the Christ, that once and for all sacrifice for sins, will be saved. “4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth … 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation… 13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:4, 9–10, 13).

    Read the following warning: “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:5). Form means “the process or activity of forming or shaping; specifically in reference to the Law as the source of knowledge and truth. This refers to the godliness, which is only a form and an external appearance. Such godliness is a sham and devoid of any real power to break the power of sin.” Power means “true nature of something as opposed to just talking about something.” From this verse, we can understand that just because someone acts like they are “godly” (i.e. practicing a religion) does not actually make them godly (a Christian) if they do not have Jesus in their heart. For someone to act “godly” and not have Jesus, is someone who has denied the power (true nature of something) of Jesus in one’s life. It may look and sound real, but it is not. This verse teaches that we are to “turn away” from someone, or even things, like that.

    A very important thing we should understand is summed up in 1 Corinthians 2:5: “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” It really does not matter what one thinks, it matters what God has said in His Word. Once we understand this, we have a hope the world does not have. Although it was hidden somewhat from those who lived in Old Testament times in that they did not know who it would be, we know that Jesus was that One promised from the beginning of time. Just as they could not understand in the Old Testament, we today can understand because it has been written in the Bible for us to read. Why doesn’t everyone in the world understand? “3. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4. In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). Satan does not want anyone to know the simplicity of the truth. That is why it is important for us to first live a life that reveals Jesus, and then tell the world what Jesus has done — so that they, too, may be saved. Israel failed to reveal God to the world. Christians today must live a Christ-like life so others can trust in Jesus.

    Have you trusted in Jesus, having the power and not just a religion (a form of godliness without the power)?

    Do you live a Christ-like life so that others can see Jesus in you?

  • The Consequence of Apostasy

    “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked …”

    Nahum 1:3a

    Remember Jonah? God sent Jonah to warn Nineveh of destruction for their wickedness. “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me” (Jonah 1:2). In addition, he told them, “… Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4b). We also learned of the repentance that city showed. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5). Because of that repentance, God spared the city. “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not” (Jonah 3:10). For a brief period in history, the people of Nineveh believed in God. For that turning to God, God spared them.

    The book of Nahum took place over 100 years after Jonah. The words Nahum preached were against the nation of Assyria with the capital of Nineveh. Nineveh was the world’s greatest city at this time in history. Although the nation repented in Jonah’s time, they had reverted back to their sin, falling even deeper. See what we should recognize about God. “The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked …” (Nahum 1:3a). (Another verse to consider is Psalm 9:17: “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”) Assyria, especially Nineveh, had forsaken God, becoming exceedingly wicked. In the book of Nahum we learn that God’s wrath would fall upon those wicked, sinful men. God would send complete and utter destruction upon Nineveh because they forsook God and were against His people. The people of Nineveh saw complete physical destruction.

    The problem with Nineveh was that God had revealed Himself to them, and they had believed. Just a few generations later, the people forsook God. They rejected God and worshiped false gods. This is apostasy. In the book of Nahum, there was no longer a call to repentance. Only a decree of the wrath of God to come.

    The longer this world is in existence, the worse mankind becomes. “1. This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4. Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

    Today, we are warned of hearing of God, living a good life (yet without the saving faith of Christ), and then living like the rest of the world. Unless one truly trusts Christ, it would be better to never have tried to live a Christian life. Read of what we are warned: “20. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire” (2 Peter 2:20-22). Head knowledge of Jesus and the Christian life is not enough. Without Jesus in one’s heart, it is impossible to live a true Christian life. That one will eventually return to “wallow in the mire.” That is an apostate without hope.

    Just as Nineveh saw complete physical destruction, there is another kind of judgment that one must consider as well. Each person will be accountable for his or her own actions; good or evil. After we die, we will all stand before the Lord and He will pass eternal judgment upon each individual according to what that person has done with his or her life. “10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 11. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men …” (2 Corinthians 5:10–11a). These verses are written as a warning to Christian people. Terror in this verse means “a deep and reverential sense of accountability to God or Jesus.” How many Christians are living their lives with a deep and reverential sense of accountability to God? Or are most just living a life pleasing self? In the book of Nahum, one can see the wrath of God fall upon a nation that had forgotten God and forsaken Him. Each person must consider the things done in his body, whether they are good or bad, knowing God is a perfect and righteous judge. Not only are we to be accountable, but we should live a life that persuades others to have a reverential fear as well. God had spared the city of Nineveh once before. Nevertheless, when they returned to sin, forsaking God, there was a price to pay.

    Have you truly trusted in Jesus, following Him?

    Or

    Have you once known of Jesus and turned from Him to live a life pleasing to self?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • A Life Example

    “Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?”

    Jonah 3:9

    Do you remember what we can learn from the book of Jonah? After Jonah went to the people of Nineveh, the people understood that God expected repentance. In addition, they also had a hope that God would turn from his fierce anger and spare their lives. Remember the kings command: “8. But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 .Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?” (Jonah 3:8-9). In the book of Jonah, we learned that the people in Nineveh turned from sin to God. We then read what God did. He turned from His fierce anger against sin when he saw true repentance throughout the city of Nineveh.

    How in the world did the king of Nineveh know that God would turn from his fierce anger and forgive them? Consider the recent events of Jonah’s life.

    God told Jonah to go preach to the enemy of God’s people, Nineveh. They were not God’s people, they were dead people (spiritually). Remember what Ephesians teaches us. “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1). Quickened means “to make alive; give life.” All apart from the saving knowledge of Christ are “dead in trespasses and sins.” The Assyrian people of Ninevah were a wicked and evil people: “dead in trespasses and sins.” God told Jonah to go preach to them. Apparently Jonah did not agree with what God wanted him to do, for he went the opposite direction. When the storm came, Jonah recognized it was the hand of God for Jonah’s disobedience (see Jonah 1:12). When the men threw Jonah overboard, the great fish that God had prepared, swallowed Jonah. That great fish was appointed by God, for God wanted Jonah to learn a lesson that he needed to know. Jonah was not in charge – God was. We can read that while Jonah was in the belly of that great fish, he prayed. Jonah was there until his thinking aligned with God’s way. Even though Jonah may have hated the people of Nineveh, Jonah recognized that obedience to God was most important. Jonah promised to do that which he vowed to the Lord. “And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land” (Jonah 2:10). God then told Jonah, the second time, to go to Nineveh and preach. Jonah went and said, “Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown” (Jonah 3:4b). If you think about it, Jonah went, but this was the message that Jonah wanted to give. However, God had provided the people of Nineveh a better message than the words that Jonah spoke. The people of Nineveh witnessed Jonah’s life experience of being in the belly of the great fish. Jonah had disobeyed God, running from Him, and then experienced what could only be seen as death for three days at the bottom of the sea. Now, Jonah was alive where God wanted him, walking among them and warning them that Nineveh would be overthrown. This life witness must have spoken louder than Jonah’s words, for his words were few. However, God’s call came through Jonah’s words. One must hear God’s Word in order to be made alive. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:21). Jonah had to go give the people a message from God. We can recognize that in spite of the few words, the new life after rebellion, death and then repentance, spoke loudly to the people. “So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them” (Jonah 3:5). God spared Nineveh.

    Jonah had ended up in the belly of that great fish because he rejected God’s Word. Jonah had to change his thinking to align with God and His Word, turning his heart back to Him. This is called repentance. It was only then that he could do what God wanted him to do.

    There are many Christians who do exactly what Jonah did when God told him to deliver a message to Nineveh. They make excuses, and oftentimes go the opposite direction God sends them. If you are a Christian and have someone that God has instructed you to tell about Jesus, go tell them. God requires His Word to be proclaimed in order for the lost to hear and believe in Him. Christians need to get their thinking aligned with what God teaches us to do according to His Word. Do not wait for God to make a life example out of your failure to obey God and His Word. The call of repentance, turning one’s heart and life to Jesus, is the only hope. Remember also that Jonah’s life spoke louder than his word.

    Remembering what Jesus did for us, it should be easy to follow Him. It should be natural for Christians to do what He says and live for Him. Christians are not to live for ourselves, but consider it a joy that God is able to use us for His glory. Remember: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). God never changes. Today, God still saves people who will call upon Him. But He sends Christians to deliver the message of Salvation.

    Have you chosen to obey God’s Word, following Him instead of choosing to rebel against Him?

  • Know the Way and Live in It

    “For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish”

    Psalm 1:6

    As you read through Israel’s history during the divided kingdom, one cannot help but notice how important it is to God that He be kept first in one’s life and even in the nation. At any point in Israel’s history, the kings could have sought God (remember the prophets constantly preached for the people to seek God!). The kings of Israel could have remembered God’s laws and commandments — and kept them. Instead, we read that they continued in the sin of Jeroboam I, who made Israel to sin. When the kings led the people to sin against God, He sent prophets to cry out to seek God; to return to Him. However, because they did not, the nation was not in favor with God. Read the following verses to remember this: “1. My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 3. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 4. So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:1, 3–4).

    As you continue reading through the history of Israel, keep in mind that none of the kings of Israel were considered good because they led Israel to sin against God. Read what is recorded in Proverbs that they should have known: “He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him” (Proverbs 11:27). Because they sought mischief, they got it. Mischief means: “bad; wicked; evil; of inferior quality.”

    Since we are to learn from history, we must notice the progression of sin in the nation Israel. One of the best examples of this progression is in Psalm 1. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1). Recognize what we are NOT to do: First, walk with sinners, then stop and talk with them, and finally to sit with them. Understand that desiring sin and walking with sinners begins with lust. Lust means “a strong desire; a longing; to satisfy carnal appetites.” Read what James 1:14–15 says, “14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

    Instead, read on in Psalm 1 to learn what one should do. “2. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper” (Psalm 1:2-3). Understand what happens when one does not do as one should. “4. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 6. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish” (Psalm 1:4-6).

    Remember the turning point in the nation Israel, the point from which they did not return: when they refused to hear the Word of the Lord from the prophets of God. Even with all of the warnings, we found they did not return to God, but “… walked in the statutes of the heathen …” (2 Kings 17:8). God had no choice but to fulfill His promise of discipline and judgment upon His people.

    As we have learned, the Israelites sinned against God when they forsook Him and worshiped creatures (golden calves, Baal, etc.). They also walked in the ways of the heathen (the wicked and idolatrous nations around) instead of walking in God’s Laws and statutes they had been taught. Notice that in the New Testament, Paul preached to people in the same condition. He warned that the wrath of God would fall upon those who knew the truth, but did not live it out in their lives: “18. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 21. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools … 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts … 25. Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen” (Romans 1:18–19, 21-22, 24–25).

    What should we learn from Israel’s obstinacy? When we know the truth and what is right, we should do it. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17). Seek God if one is not sure — remember Amos’ plea, “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live …” (Amos 5:6). We should never sin away our lives — as Israel did. For, “… There is a sin unto death …” (1 John 5:16).

    The following is an important question for each Christian to consider:

    Have you searched your heart to see if you are guilty of knowing the way of righteousness, yet not living in the truth of it?

  • A Called and Beloved People

    “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.”

    Romans 9:25

    Why is it important to read and understand the book of Hosea in the Old Testament? God revealed to Hosea that one day the Gentiles would be included as His people. Understand that Gentiles are any peoples who are not Jews (Israelites). “As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved” (Romans 9:25). (Osee is “Hosea”.) This verse is in reference to Hosea 2:23: “And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God.” Today, we can become the beloved of God. The word beloved in this verse means “to love or delight in.”

    Read the following quick summary of the book of Hosea:

    God told Hosea to take Gomer, a “wife of whoredoms”, for his wife in the days of Jeroboam II. Gomer had a son, Jezreel; a daughter, Loruhamah; another son, Loammi; each child represented a relationship between God and His people (see Hosea 1). A warning was given. God revealed His love for His people in the taking away then restoring their necessities. By doing that, He would remove their allegiance to Baal, restoring them as His people (see Hosea 2). Hosea was to love his wife, buying her back, displaying the love God had for His people (see Hosea 3). Hosea told the people that because of their apostasy, God would allow troubles (see Hosea 4). Judgment would fall upon the priests, the house of Israel, and the house of the king. Yet when they sought God, they would not find Him, for He would withdraw from His people. Hosea revealed that God’s wrath would be poured out upon them “till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face” (see Hosea 5). Encouragement to return to the Lord was given, along with a reminder of the failings of man’s ability to keep their part of the covenant with God (see Hosea 6). ALL of the people had turned from God, and none had returned. For this, God would send destruction (see Hosea 7). Why? “For Israel hath forgotten his Maker”. We then read a listing of the sins, punishments, and the reasons for punishment (see Hosea 8). Recognize the utter rejection of God’s people described during the time of discipline, “My God will cast them away, because they did not hearken unto him” (see Hosea 9). “Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity.” Yet they are encouraged to “break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD” (See Hosea 10). Important reminders: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him” and “my people are bent to backsliding from me” (see Hosea 11). God reminded them from which they came, yet in spite of their faithless behavior, God still called for their return to Him (see Hosea 12). “O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself; but in me is thine help” (see Hosea 13). The call to repentance: “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.” What God would do if they would only return: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (see Hosea 14).

    As we glimpsed at Hosea’s personal life knowing the problems that God allowed, recognize that he was still faithful to obey God’s call upon his life. He willingly married an unfaithful wife, just as God willingly chose a people He knew would be unfaithful to Him. Remember the progression in the departure of God’s people from Him. Slow, yet ending in complete separation from Him. Even with the continual cry to seek God, repent, and turn back to avoid discipline, we found God knew that His people would refuse and continue in their path of sin — directly away from God and his mercy.

    Just as the Israelites were told of their sin and called to repentance, the same call is now extended to us today. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty to pay. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). In addition, God provided One (Jesus) who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Just as God extended a call to the Israelites, warning them before judgment would fall, God warns us today. “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). What response does God require? “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8–10). What are we to do with that information? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). As we recognize that because of the rejection of God by Israel, God then allowed the Gentile people to have an opportunity to belong to Him. If we will only seek Him, repent, and turn our lives completely over to Him. The process is the same, and the eternal salvation is yet to be seen. Nevertheless, we know that God told us to seek Him, while He may be found.

    Have you recognized God’s call upon your life, then responding not only to the call for salvation, but in service to Him?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • Stand Fast

    “2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

    James 1:2-3

    James did not become a Christian until after Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. He finally understood that one must trust in Jesus by faith. “8. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9. Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10).

    Once James became a Christian, he taught practical ways to live a Christian life. He began by teaching how to understand the importance of temptations (trials). “2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience” (James 1:2-3).

    • Temptations means “trials; a state of trial in which God brings His people through adversity and affliction in order to encourage and prove their faith and confidence in Him.”
    • Trying means “approved; tried; the means of proving; a criterion or test by which anything is proved or tried; as in faith by afflictions.”
    • Worketh means “to work out; bring about; accomplish; to carry out a task until it is finished; to effect; to produce.”

    Not many people consider trying times as being joyful. Yet, James wrote to encourage Christians to understand that now that they had faith in Christ, it must be tried: put to the test. Once that faith is proved by being put to the test, that Christian will gain, or have, patience. Patience means “endurance; perseverance or constancy under suffering in faith and duty.” This patience enables one to persevere or remain constant. Think of this as learning to stand fast – being steadfast through trials. Remember many times in God’s Word where we learn that we are to “stand fast” (see a few of the following):

    • “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13);
    • “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1);
    • “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27);
    • “Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved” (Philippians 4:1);
    • “For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 3:8);
    • “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15); etc.)?

    Christians are encouraged to understand that with faith in Christ comes trying times – but Christians are to persevere, consistently, with patience by standing fast. See what learning how to do this gives to Believers. “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing” (James 1:4). In order to be an effective witness in this world, Christians must stand fast in their Christian faith by living it consistently.

    James helped them understand what to do when Christians were faced with those trying times: “5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed” (James 1:5-6). Wisdom means “in respect to divine things: deep knowledge; natural and moral insight; represented as a divine gift, and including the idea of practical application; as conjoined with purity of heart and life.” If a Christian does not know how to live right, or what to do in a specific situation, all one must do is to ask God – for He will show Christians how to live and what to do. However, one must remember that after asking God for wisdom in a situation, and then He tells that one what to do (according to God’s Word), it should be done: “nothing wavering.” Wavering means “to separate oneself from; to contend with; to be in strife with oneself; to doubt; hesitate; waver.” A Christian’s life should not be lived as a ship on a stormy sea – tossed about from highs and lows. Do not change your mind, or talk yourself out of doing what is right. Instead, a Christian is to stand fast, “nothing wavering,” and faithful. When one continually shifts from high to low, understand the following warning of a life lived like that. “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways” (James 1:8). Double minded means “doubtful; a person who suffers from divided loyalties – such as one who wishes to maintain a religious confession, desiring the presence of God in his life, but on the other hand, he loves the ways of the world and prefers to live according to its mores and ethics.” When a Christian constantly wavers, or is “double minded,” never fully committing to the Christian life, they will be unstable in everything. That kind of life is not an effectual witness for Christ.

    Do you live a life where you are “double minded”, unstable in all your ways?

    Or

    Have you learned to stand fast upon God’s Word, living a consistent and faithful Christian life?

  • Faithful and Just

    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

    1 John 1:9

    Joel was a prophet of God. The name Joel means, “Jehovah is God.” The book of Joel begins with, “The word of the LORD that came to Joel ….” In the book of Joel, we recognize God spoke, and Joel relayed God’s message to the people. Joel spoke to Judah during a time when it seemed that the nation of Judah had forgotten God.

    At the beginning of the book of Joel, there is a cry to notice what was happening. God sent Joel to warn the people to wake up and pay attention to what was going on in the nation (see Joel 1:2-3). When they allowed sin to rule in the land, God allowed this waste (compared to a vine laid waste) to take place in the land. Joel compared it to what a plague of locusts would do to a land. “That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten” (Joel 1:4). By this verse, we recognize a description of the different stages of a locust. According to this verse, everything would be totally eaten or destroyed. That was the place to which sin was taking the nation Judah – to complete and utter destruction. Nevertheless, just as we learned with the events in the nation of Israel, God would not discipline His people without first warning them through His prophet. That is just what we can read about in the book of Joel. Joel is warning of impending destruction of Judah by an enemy nation if they do not turn back to God. Just as a plague of locusts completely destroys everything in its path, so the enemies of God would do to His people unless they repented of their sins against God.

    Yet even with that terrible description, see what Joel recorded next. “12. Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: 13. And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. 14. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him …” (Joel 2:12-14a). Joel’s message? Joel called for the people to repent. Repent, for God is merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness. See what Joel then recorded for us to know and understand. “Then will the LORD be jealous for his land, and pity his people” (Joel 2:18). If God were to see true repentance from His people, He would be jealous for them not wanting any evil to befall them – He would pity them.

    Because God knew their hearts, Joel continued his cry by warning that God’s people would be taken captive, however when they repented, God would restore the years that the locust had eaten. God’s judgment would then fall upon the enemy nations and hope would once again be restored to God’s people.

    Christians today, are to remember why we study the books of History and the Prophets in the Old Testament. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). As we remember the history of Israel and Judah, we are to remember that God always dealt with his people. He sent His prophets to warn of discipline for disobedience and promised restoration of His people when they repented. God is the same today. “5. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth” (Hebrews 12:5-6). Remember, God revealed His great love for us in the sending of His only begotten Son to die upon the cross to pay for our sin. Christians are to show our love to Him by obeying His commands. Remember Jesus’ words: “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

    We are to recognize the destruction sin can do to a life, and when left unchecked what it can do to a nation. Remember what James 1:15 teaches: “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Lust means, “to satisfy the carnal appetites.” Christians are to choose to do what is right (what pleases God) over what we want to do. When we choose our own pleasures over God’s plan, it is sin and it brings death. Also see the following verse: “As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death” (Proverbs 11:19).

    We are to remember the following: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Do you know what it means to confess (means “to admit; to confess your guilt exposing yourself for punishment”)? God will forgive when we confess our sin. It is important to then turn from that sin.

    Have you recognized the importance of confessing and repenting from your sin, knowing God will cleanse you?