The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Forgiveness

  • Iniquity Separates

    “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”
    Isaiah 59:2

    Excerpt from Year Two Quarter Three, Lesson 3: Isaiah 40-66: Grace and Salvation

    “This section begins with a pointing out of the people’s sin. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins” (Isaiah 58:1). Especially notice what the people had been doing. “Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God” (Isaiah 58:2). They had been seeking God and His ways – daily. Moreover, they were going to the Temple when required and performing their duties. We can understand that outwardly it appeared they were doing everything right: they were seeking after God, wanting to know His ways, going to the Temple, and doing what they were supposed to do. However, from God’s perspective, they were sinners who needed their sin declared aloud. Knowing what sin is was not enough. Going through the motions of religion was not enough. There was a serious problem! God was not pleased. “4b. … ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. 5. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?” (Isaiah 58:4b-5)…

    “God wanted to see a people humbled before Him, seeking forgiveness for their sins. This would change their whole outlook. “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward” (Isaiah 58:8). Then God would hear them and answer them (see Isaiah 58:9-14).

    “God’s people had not yet learned how to do it correctly. Nevertheless, that could not stop God from doing all he planned. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1). It was God’s people in the error. “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). They were a sinful people, and everything they tried to do to become a righteous people failed. God was warning them again that because of their sinfulness, the enemy would come in and take them away from their homeland. But one day, in the distant future, God gives hope again, of one who can take their sin from them. “And the Redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 59:20). And this verse introduces us to what the rest of the book of Isaiah is all about.

    “Remember back for a minute. We read that God’s glory filled the Tabernacle when Moses completed it in the wilderness (see Exodus 40:34). God’s glory also filled the Temple that King Solomon built (see 2 Chronicles 5:14). We will read in Ezekiel how God’s glory departed before the coming invasion of the Babylonians to carry God’s people out of the land. Do you remember why the glory of the Lord departed? The people sought idols instead of watching for Jesus to come. Remember what we can read in John 1:14: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” Jesus came. He was God’s glory. Nevertheless, the world (as a whole) rejected Him. As we read Isaiah chapter sixty, we find a promise. “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:1). One day, Jesus will come again. And at that time, God will turn His attention back to His people, the Israelites. However, before that day comes, see what will happen. “For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isaiah 60:2). The world will become a very dark place before the Lord returns to rule and reign. At that time, God will make Jerusalem what He had always intended for it to be – and the whole world will want to come and see it! (“… And they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel” Isaiah 60:14b.)” 

    Remember why it was that Jesus sent Paul to proclaim the message of salvation to all: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18).

    Have you turned from darkness to Light (Jesus), from the power of Satan unto God, receiving forgiveness of sin?

  • Seek the Lord While He May be Found

    “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
    Isaiah 55:6-7

    In the Old Testament, God’s people were primarily Israelites (Jews). There were rare exceptions when a Gentile left their people (and their false gods) to become one of God’s people who believed in the one true God (Ruth is an excellent example of this!). However, it was foretold that there would one day be a time when the invitation to join God’s family would become an open invitation to the Gentile people – until the time of the Gentiles is fulfilled. We live in those days. Moreover, it appears that those days may be coming to a close very soon. See the following verses: “25. For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26. And so all Israel shall be saved …” (Romans 11:25-26a). When God’s people rejected Jesus as their Messiah, declared vividly when Jesus was crucified, God began to close the door of salvation for the Jewish people “blindness in part is happened to Israel,” opening the door of salvation wide open for the Gentiles. The tables were turned: mainly Gentiles would be saved and few Jews during this time in history. However, soon the door will close for the Gentile nations, and God will open the door of salvation wide for the Jewish people. This is already beginning to happen.  

    A primary place this is told of is in the book of Isaiah. In Isaiah chapters 54-55, we see a picture of the restoration of Israel that would happen one day, and a calling of the Gentile people. “Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because of the LORD thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel; for he hath glorified thee” (Isaiah 55:5). The following verses are a great invitation. “6. Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: 7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:6-7). Notice the urgency in calling upon the Lord while He may be found. One cannot delay!

    Why do we need to turn to the Lord for forgiveness? “8. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10. For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater” (Isaiah 55:8-10). What does this mean?

    When a person understands they are a sinner and that they need a Savior, they hear from someone about the Word of God (telling of Jesus’ atoning death), and that Word goes into the heart of a person much as a seed enters the soil. The watering of God’s Word causes the seed to bud. A person is then saved. It does not make sense to the average person (God’s ways are higher), but when they only believe, God can do His work! See what we understand just happened in that heart. “So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). When God’s Word is accomplished in the heart, that person is no longer a condemned sinner, but a new creature in Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17). How does one feel after they have asked Jesus into their heart? “For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12).  The whole earth will rejoice!

    Have you allowed God’s Word into your heart, believing in Jesus?

    How to be Saved

  • Light versus Darkness

    “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
    Proverbs 4:18-19

    Everyone understands the difference between light and dark. They are opposites. In one, you can see clearly, in the other you cannot. In the darkness, much can be hidden and unseen. Sometimes we think of the scary things – seen or unseen – in the darkness. See what King Solomon recorded for us to read: “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). These are two separate ways. They are in contrast one with the other. The way of light, shines more and more. This helps one understand that the path becomes brighter and brighter, where one is able to see and comprehend what is before them better and better.

    What is this light that shines? See what Jesus said in the book of John. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is The Light. Those who believe in Him (Christians) are to walk in that light, not in darkness. Understand why Jesus came: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). There is a choice: light or darkness. For those who do not want to walk in darkness, they should choose Jesus, the Light of the world.

    So why doesn’t everyone choose light, believing in Jesus? When people reject God and His commandments, the land fills with “darkness.”  See what Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). There are those who prefer the deeds one finds in the darkness – evil deeds. Those evil deeds are sin that separates people from God. Read why Jesus told Paul to go preach the Gospel message: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). One can understand that those who choose evil deeds, walking in darkness, are under the power of Satan.

    Remember that Jesus came to set people free from that darkness to walk as His dear children in Him (the Light).What can we learn about those who choose to hear the Gospel message of Jesus, turning from those evil deeds done in darkness (sin)? “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Those who choose Him have the light of Jesus in their hearts and lives. Christians are taught to walk as children of light for a Christian cannot walk in “darkness” (sin).  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

    As we continue to read, we find more instruction that Christians are to heed. “11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12). Do not be one who has the Light of Jesus in your heart and mind, yet continues to walk with those who chose to remain in darkness. Instead, we are to tell them about Jesus and encourage them to choose the Light of life. As Christians (God’s people), we are to be different – not like the “world” around us “14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:14-17). Wake up! For Jesus will give you light (illuminating your path – remember Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”), then walk cautiously as wise, and understand what the Lord has planned for you.

    Do you walk in darkness, not knowing at what you stumble?

    Or, have you chosen the path of the just that is as the shining light?

    How to be Saved

  • Lesson 9 (Lesson 48): Proverbs 25-31: Wisdom Revealed

    Key Verse

    “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”  Proverbs 27:1

    Read the Key Verse with your class.  Ask your students if they have ever made plans to start something tomorrow (i.e.: start a new book, work on homework later in the weekend – instead of Friday, quit eating too much candy and eat better, be nice to someone – later, read their Bible, tell someone about Jesus, etc.).  It is very easy to put something off until tomorrow.  We have no idea what tomorrow may hold.  Usually, it is nothing like we had planned for it to be.  Read today’s memory verse together.  Remind them of the important words of wisdom we have been learning.  How many have actually begun to put into practice some of the things we have learned?  Remember the old saying, “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”  Help them understand this is kind of what today’s memory verse is saying.  How can we plan tomorrow when we don’t know what tomorrow may bring?  We will see wisdom revealed in our lesson today as some, who implemented these truths, found they were very real – and important.

    Summary:  Today we will finish the third Personal book, Proverbs.  We have been learning that it is not only important to know the words of wisdom recorded in this book, but we must learn to live a life applying that wisdom.  Then we will be able to live a life that pleases God.  We learned it is important to live that way early in life.  Last week we saw a listing comparing wisdom to foolishness, wise to unwise, right and wrong, and even good and evil. Remember that these words were written to help us live our daily lives wisely.

    We have read many wise things.  This week we will see what happens when these words of wisdom are revealed when applied to lives.  It affects our relationship with other people.  These words cause us to recognize we are a sinful people who need God, and His forgiveness.  The conclusion of this book shows the importance of a virtuous woman.  It helps us understand the pivotal role a woman plays in each home.

    Continue to encourage your students to not only memorize these words of wisdom, but to apply these truths to their lives.

    Encourage your students to bring their Bibles and use them!

    Emphasis:  To learn the words of wisdom recorded in the book of Proverbs.  Recognize they are words that define a person’s nature – either one who seeks wisdom; or a fool.  Make them personal words of encouragement from wise men, Solomon and others, who wanted others to learn just what wisdom is – and how to get it.

     

    Optional Worksheets to be downloaded:

    Lesson 48 – Volume 1 Children’s Worksheet 1

    Lesson 48 – Volume 1 Children’s Reinforcement Worksheet

     

    Ideas for children:

    Stickers always work well with children. Often times I watch Wal-Mart or Oriental Trading Company for specials or deals on things I can use for crafts for Sunday School (i.e. foam sheets, Bible Story scene stickers, crowns, stick on jewels, construction paper, etc.).  I keep a stash and when I need something, I go search in my stash!  Pinterest always has great ideas!

    You could have a coloring sheet that goes with the lesson.

    One idea for today’s lesson:  (See picture below).  For today’s lesson we made a scroll using paper and dowel rods.  Some students wrote a few verses from Proverbs we talked about in the lesson in their scrolls.  I also had some verses available to glue into the scroll for those who couldn’t write as well or as quickly as others.  Encourage them to begin memorizing some of these verses!

     

    Mural idea:

    Refer to the wall in your classroom that has become a mural.

    By now your class should be in a groove as to the direction and areas in which they need to focus and work on to improve their Christian lives.  Use this knowledge to help you address specific areas in each lesson that your class can discuss and share as you add new things to your mural.  Continue to watch as your class grows in their knowledge of not only God’s Word, but areas in their lives that can be corrected, drawing them closer to the Lord.

    Have them each add anything else they may have brought to add to the wall.  Encourage everyone to participate.