The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Sin

  • I Was Blind, but Now I See

    “He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

    John 9:25

    Jesus had another opportunity to teach the people. “And as Jesuspassed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth” (John 9:1). We learn that the disciples thought this man was blind because of sin – his or his parents. Jesus wanted to dispel an old thought – that all sicknesses, injuries, or birth defects are caused by sin. “Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (John 9:3). Jesus taught that sin was not the cause of this man’s blindness. In the case of the blind man, it was so “that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” Manifest means “to become or be made visible or manifest; make known.” God had a plan for this blind man to receive his sight, bringing Jesus into his life.

    Not only was the blind man to understand what God was doing, it was important for all to know that Jesus was there to do those works of God. “4. I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.5. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5). Jesus would not be walking on the earth for long, and He had work to do (see John 5:36; John 17:4). As long as Jesus was there, He was the Light. “6. When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. 7. And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam,(which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing” (John 9:6-7). This blind man could see.

    From these events, we understand this man was born blind so that at this time in history, God would be revealed to this man and to the world. God’s plan was now known. Because he obeyed the words of Jesus, he could see. This man, who had only known darkness, now understood the importance of light.

    When the people saw that this blind man could now see, they had many questions. When they asked him what happened, he explained (see John 9:8-11). When the Pharisees asked him what happened. He told the story again (see John 9:13-16). They wanted to know who he thought Jesus was. “They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet” (John 9:17). At this point, this is all he knows about Jesus. The Pharisees asked his parents (see John 9:18-23). When the Pharisees told him to give God the glory because they declared Jesus was a sinner, read the man’s response. “He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see” (John 9:25). Because the Pharisees still do not believe or understand, they asked him again how he could see. “He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?” (John 9:27). This outraged them. “We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is” (John 9:29).

    Watch this man’s understanding and faith begin to grow: “30. The man answered and said unto them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he is, and yet he hath opened mine eyes. 31. Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. 32. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened the eyes of one that was born blind. 33. If this man were not of God, he could do nothing” (John 9:30-33). This man who was blind is beginning to see the Light: he recognizes that the Man who healed him was of God. After these statements, the religious leaders cast him out.

    But Jesus found him. “35. Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him,Dost thou believe on the Son of God?36. He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37. And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.38. And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him” (John 9:35-38). This man became a Believer.

    This blind man did not know anything about Jesus; he was ignorant. This is how most people are when introduced to Jesus. They really know little or nothing about Him. When the man began to understand what Jesus had done for him by giving him sight, his faith began to grow. As he explained to the Pharisees what happened, he began to understand – really see. When faced with Jesus again, he believed. When one recognizes that Jesus is the only way to salvation, and willingly responds in faith, this is the simple Gospel Message.

    The Pharisees could see, yet they would not acknowledge Jesus. Because they could see and rejected Jesus and the truth of who Jesus is, their sin remained (see John 9:39-41).

    Have you chosen to “see” and remain in your sin?

    Or

    Are you able to “see” Jesus is the Light, and the only way to salvation?

    The way to salvation.

  • The Marks of a True Believer

    “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;”

    John 8:31

    Jesus taught the people the way of salvation – only through true belief in Jesus that brings a change of heart and life (see John 8:1-32). At this point, many believed. “As he spake these words, many believed on him” (John 8:30). This is the first step of salvation. However, Jesus wanted them to understand it was more than a “mental assent” to Jesus. Belief demands a changed life that begins in the heart (see Romans 10:9-10). In these teachings, Jesus taught them much more than the way of salvation. He revealed to them the ways to identify true salvation – in their own lives and even in the lives of others.

    We remembered the step of salvation: “As he spake these words, many believed on him” (John 8:30).

    Jesus continued with the first mark of true salvation: “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him,If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31). Indeed means “truly; of a surety.” For those who truly give their hearts and lives to Jesus, making Jesus the Lord of that life, it is only natural that one must continue in Jesus’ Word (see 2 Timothy 3:14-17). One must read and learn more about the Bible. As one learns more about the Bible, that life is changed from the inside out. One learns to walk like Jesus (see Colossians 1:10; 2:6-7, and Ephesians 5:8).

    The next thing Jesus emphasized was knowing the truth: “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Make you free means “to liberate; the result of redemption.” Knowing the truth of God’s Word gives Christians much freedom. Jesus fulfilled the Law for us, setting us free to walk with Him according to His Word (see James 1:22). Christians are to continue in that liberty. Paul later emphasized the importance of keeping one’s liberty and not returning to the bondage of the Old Testament Law (see Galatians 5:1).

    The Pharisees challenged Jesus: “They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” (John 8:33). If you know the history of the Israelites at all, this statement might make you laugh. This nation had been in bondage many times through the years. For example, Moses led them out of bondage in Egypt (see Exodus 5-14). Think of the times of the Judges where God had to send deliverers many time to free the from bondage. Even in the days of the Pharisees who challenged Jesus, God’s people were under the bondage of Rome.

    The bondage the Pharisees were referring to was something completely different than what Jesus was trying to get them to understand. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin” (John 8:34). Jesus came to set them free from the law of sin and death (see Romans 8:2). With that freedom comes an understanding that we are to no longer be servants of sin. Later, Paul taught more on this subject (see Romans 6:12-14). All of Romans chapter six will help in the understanding of the importance of not allowing sin to rule a Christian’s life. Christians are to yield to righteousness.

    Jesus taught that true Christians will hear God’s Word: “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God” (John 8:47). People had come to Jesus before this to hear the Word of God (see Luke 5:1). Jesus later calls Christians His sheep: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:27). We know that the Bible is the Word of God.

    A Believer must keep His Word, for it is a proof of the salvation in the heart. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51). Why is it so important to keep His Word? “21. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.22. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23. Jesus answered and said unto him,If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:21-24). Manifest means “to disclose (by words): appear, declare (plainly), inform.” Not only does keeping His Word show that we love Him, but Jesus said He would manifest Himself to those who keep His Word. Obedience to God’s Word is a key mark of one who is a true Believer (see 1 John 2:3-6).

    When others see you, do they find the marks of a true Believer?

  • A New Life Pleasing God

    “So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”

    Acts 19:20

    The following is an excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two, Lesson 10:

    “… God allowed Paul to heal people and eliminate evil spirits. With this came people who tried to do the same things. ‘13. Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16. And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17. And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified‘ (Acts 19:13-17). Vagabond means ‘ones who just wander.’ Exorcists means ‘one who binds by an oath; generally one who by incantation professes to expel demons.’ These men, seven of which were sons of the chief priest, used incantations, professing to cast out demons. Nevertheless, see that even the demons recognized that these men did not know Jesus (for Jesus was not in their hearts). When they tried to cast out the demons, those demons jumped on them, ‘so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.‘ God used this to magnify the name of Jesus. ‘And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds‘ (Acts 19:18). Deeds means ‘an act, practice; works; meaning conduct.’ This caused many to recognize that they were living in a lifestyle that opposed the preaching of Jesus. What did the people do about it? ‘Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver‘ (Acts 19:19). Curious arts means ‘a standard term for magic or black arts; pointing to the lengthy and various rituals involved in incantation ceremonies and the precision with which they were performed.’ The people understood that they must eliminate theses wicked things from their lives. Once they did, read what followed. ‘So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed’ (Acts 19:20). Many people were saved, and God’s Word was spread.

    Paul continued his journey…

    A Deeper Path: See some things we just cannot help but notice. God has always called people to turn from their sin toward Him. ‘If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land‘ (2 Chronicles 7:14). Theses were encouraging words for God’s people in King Solomon’s day.

    God has always warned His people to avoid sin and people who sin. ‘14. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. 15. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. 16. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. 17. For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence. 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 4:14-19). God wants people to live a just life, not a wicked life. God also gave the following warning. ‘23. Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life … 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil’ (Proverbs 4:23, 27). It is important to protect each heart – for what is placed in each individual’s heart will come out in that person’s life. Avoid wickedness and evil.

    As God allowed Paul to do many miracles and cast out evil spirits, there appeared a copycat: one who appeared to be able to do the same thing, until the evil spirit declared these men were false and jumped upon them. We, too, must be careful that something that has the appearance of good is not just a form of godliness, denying the power of Jesus (for these men had never known Jesus themselves). ‘Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away‘ (2 Timothy 3:5). Christians are to be cautious and check out and know for certain if that something is truly from God.

    There is something else important to recognize. Once one becomes a Christian and begins to follow the Lord, that person must forsake all of the things of their past life. When Jesus called his disciples, they forsook all to follow Him. ‘And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him’ (Luke 5:11). When the people in Ephesus believed in Jesus and confessed Him as their Lord, they had to remove their “deeds” from their sinful past. Remember what we read in Acts 19:19: ‘Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.‘ It did not matter to them the monetary cost. They wanted to live a new life pleasing God.”

    Have you trusted in Christ, forsaking the things of your past life to live a new life in Christ, following Him?

    What to do to trust in Christ.

    The Biblical Path of Life – Year Three, Quarter Two

  • The Messenger and His Message

    “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

    John 1:29

    God always keeps His promises. He promised from the beginning of time to send One who would deliver man from the bondage of sin and death (see Genesis 3:15). All throughout the Old Testament, one can read that God constantly reminded His people of that promise. When you study the Old Testament, you should recognize that God even added more clues to the specific details of that coming all throughout the Old Testament – so the people would be watching and waiting for that day. Specifically, so that they would recognize Jesus once He came. Read again how the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, reminds us of that promise. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts”(Malachi 3:1). God revealed that He would send a special messenger to prepare the way before God, Himself, came born as Jesus. My messenger was “John the Baptist;” and the Lord, whom they seek, was “Jesus.” God compared the coming of Jesus with “a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” (see Malachi 3:2). A refiner’s fire means “a precious metal that was heated until it became a liquid so that all of the impurities could rise to the top to be removed.” A fullers’ soap means “used to rub and scrub clothing until the stains were washed away.” Each of these can be compared to what Jesus would do when he came – remove the impurities and sin from man.

    Read another clue God’s people were to look for. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD” (Malachi 4:5). God told His people of “Elijah the Prophet” (the Messenger) who would come. About four hundred years passed between the Old Testament and New Testament writings. As you come to the New Testament, we are to recognize that God sent a messenger to prepare the way of the Lord – just as He promised He would do. In Luke 1, we read of an angel appearing to a priest, Zacharias, who told him that he and his aged wife would have a son, John. Notice the special son that this would be. “13. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John … 15. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord … 16. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:13-17). Understand that Elijah is spelled Elias in the New Testament. The son named John is who we have come to know as John the Baptist – for he preached and “baptized” repentance.

    “29. The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. 30. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. 31. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water” (John 1:29-31). Jesus came just as God promised. John introduced Him. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29b). Understand that when Jesus came, He was as a refiner’s fire. Jesus and His Words purified some people, while others rejected Jesus’ Words. However, everyone heard of Him. “And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee” (Mark 1:28). If nothing else, Jesus draws man to a time of decision.

    The most important thing to recognize about this information can be summed up best by the words John recorded for us to read. “6. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:6-12). John did the job God had for him to do. He was a witness who told others of the Light, Jesus (see John 8:12). Jesus was in the world, and the world was made by Him, yet the majority of God’s people did not recognize or acknowledge Jesus when he came. However, those who did receive Jesus as the One promised from the beginning and believed upon Him, became the sons of God.

    Have you done more than heard of Jesus?

    Have you acknowledged and believed upon Jesus, becoming a child of God?

    How to be saved link.

  • Faithfully Follow

    “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.”

    Matthew 16:24-25

    Nehemiah helped rebuild the city walls of Jerusalem, reinforcing the city. Not only that, but many times the enemy’s plans were thwarted, and God’s people were able to complete the walls in fifty-two days.

    Once the city was reinforced and protected, it was time to organize the people. Nehemiah appointed jobs to people and selected men to be rulers in the city. He taught them of the importance of appointing guards to protect the gates of the city, controlling what was allowed inside Jerusalem. The people gathered together and asked Ezra to read the book of the Law to them. After hearing God’s Words, the people recognized their sin, repented, and began to live according to God’s Word. This was followed with a time of prayer. After acknowledging their sin, they made a covenant with God to obey His commands.

    Nehemiah returned to Shushan to serve the king again – just as he had promised. After a short time, he returned to Jerusalem. When he arrived, he saw much sin – beginning in the house of the Lord. Eliashib, the priest, was friends with Tobiah (their adversary) and had allowed him to move into the Temple. The Levites were working outside of the city instead of taking care of the house of the Lord. The people were working, buying, and selling on the Sabbath – breaking God’s commands. They had intermarried with the nations around, again; for the high priest’s own grandson had married the daughter of Sanballat, the enemy of God’s people. Nehemiah confronted the people and their sin. He warned the people of the great evil to transgress against God. The sin was corrected. Nehemiah prayed for God’s people. Take time to recognize just how often Nehemiah prayed. Knowing God’s Word and prayer are key in living right before God.

    One of the truly sad parts of the book of Nehemiah is that without the constant reproof and the presence of Nehemiah, the people did not continually obey God. They quickly forgot God’s Word, reverting back into their comfortable lifestyles – living however they wanted. If Christians are not careful, we too, will enter into that same trap that the Israelites fell into once they returned to Jerusalem. Christians tend to see and become part of the world in which we live – contrary to Biblical teachings. “15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17). We are warned, and then encouraged to do the will of God.

    Christians are to remember what Jesus taught. “24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:24-26). It is important for Christians to deny themselves and follow Jesus – daily!

    Christians today have a great advantage that God’s people did not have in the Old Testament. Each person who gives their heart and life to Jesus has God’s Spirit given to them – to teach them right from wrong. The people in Jerusalem had Nehemiah. Nevertheless, when he left, they forgot. God’s Spirit, that Jesus called the Comforter, never leaves a Christian – so we should never forget. Remember what Jesus told His disciples. “15. If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17.Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you” (John 14:15-17). That Comforter Jesus gave enables us to obey God’s commandments written in the Bible. We have no excuse!

    What should motivate Christians to please Jesus in all we do? “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” (Titus 2:11-12). It would be good to remember what Jesus prayed for his disciples on that last night in the garden. “14. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). Christians, today, have God’s Word and His Spirit. We must remember that we are not of this world, just as Jesus is not of this world.

    Do you pray often, choosing to deny the things of the world and faithfully follow Jesus?

  • Who are You?

    “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

    Are you a natural man? The natural man see the things in this earth. Decisions are based upon what is seen or felt. Usually, one considers the abilities one has to accomplish things. The natural man is in the likeness of Adam. “1. This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 3. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth” (Genesis 5:1, 3). Did you notice something in those verses? When God made man, He made him in God’s image. However, after man sinned in the garden, his children were after his image – no longer perfect, but now sinful men. “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). Everyone is born as a sinner. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). However, there is hope. “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous” (Romans 5:19). Adam disobeyed God, bringing sin upon all of mankind. God gave One who was perfect, His only Son, who was obedient to God. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8). Jesus paid the penalty for sin – for anyone who would just believe. “16.For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17.For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). That is the only work one can do to have the penalty for sin removed. “Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:29). Believe on Jesus.

    Once one believes on Jesus, having the condemnation of sin removed, we are taught to do something different. “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). One can no longer walk in the flesh as a natural man. We are taught to walk after the Spirit. There is a difference. When one has committed that life to Jesus, there is a change of thought and direction. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). This Christian chooses the things of the Spirit.

    Why is this so important? “6. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God… 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:6-9). Each person must look into their heart and life to see if they have truly given that life to God by accepting Jesus. It is then one receives His Spirit, enabling one to live a life that is “spiritually minded”. Without Christ, one remains a natural man, unable to please God, for “they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

    Once you know without a doubt you belong to Jesus and are “spiritually minded”, there is another question that must be asked. Are you a growing Christian? “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). One who is not a growing Christian can only understand the simplest things about the Bible and the Christian life. To grow, one must read God’s Word and exercise that Christian life. Remember what Paul told Timothy: “6. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7. But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:6-8). Christians are to be “nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine” and exercise unto godliness which is “profitable unto all things”. Choose to be a spiritual Christian, nourished in faith and good doctrine, and then exercise unto godliness.

    Who are you? A natural man who cannot please God?

    Or

    Are you a spiritual man who is nourished on God’s Word and exercises unto godliness?

    How to become a spiritual man: How to be saved

  • 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?

  • 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?

  • A Miserable Failure

    “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?”

    Matthew 7:22

    Elisha sent one of the prophets to anoint a new king of Israel, Jehu, even while Jehoram was still king. When Jehu was anointed, he was also given a very grave message from God: he was to kill wicked King Ahab’s entire household. He went to Jezreel and killed King Jehoram. He continued by having Jezebel killed. Ahab had 70 sons living in Samaria, and they were also killed. Jehu did not stop there, he continued by killing every Baal worshiper in Israel. He then had all of the images burned, and they broke down the house of Baal. These acts established him as the new king of Israel.

    After reading about all of the good that Jehu did, we will find an area in which he miserably failed. This is to be a lesson to us.

    The following is an excerpt from The Biblical Path of Life, Year Two Quarter One – Lesson 5:

    “Because Jehu obeyed God’s words in destroying the house of Ahab, Jehu’s children would sit upon the throne of Israel until the fourth generation.

    “’Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan‘ (2 Kings 10:29). Nevertheless, Jehu did not walk in the law of the Lord God of Israel with all of his heart. With all of the good Jehu did for the nation, he did not remove the worship of idols (the golden calves in Bethel and Dan). ‘But Jehu 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). The words took no heed are quite important. They mean: “to not observe God’s commands; to not keep or guard or protect.”

    “’In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short….‘ We notice that the kingdom was not at peace from the enemies around. ‘… And Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel …‘ (2 Kings 10:32).

    “Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years. ‘And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead‘ (2 Kings 10:35).

    “A Deeper Path: The words took no heed are the same words as kept not we see in 1 Kings 11:10: ‘And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.‘ Jehu’s sin was the same as King Solomon’s; not keeping that which the Lord commanded — the sin that caused the divided kingdom. Remember … ‘Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life‘ (Proverbs 4:23). Jehu did not have in his heart what needed to complete what he started. Remember back to King David. He wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city of Jerusalem. Nevertheless, he did it wrong the first time, and Uzzah died. Instead of staying angry with God, David sought God to find out what he had done wrong (see 1 Chronicles 15:13). When he obeyed God’s Word, they brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, rejoicing (see 2 Samuel 6). David sought to please God with all of his heart — and the kings were compared back to him.

    “We should learn something very important from Jehu’s life. In spite of all of the good he did for God in the removing of Baal worship in the land of Israel, he did not “guard” his heart. Instead of putting away all idol worship, he kept the form that had previously been established as the worship of God (the golden calves in Dan and Bethel). If he had sought God’s Word, he would have found the truth. Just look at the first two of the Ten Commandments (‘3. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing…‘ Exodus 20:3-4a). Notice that Jehu was compared back to King Jeroboam, “which led Israel to sin.”

    “When we give our hearts and lives to God (ask Jesus in our hearts), we must do it completely — not keeping any part back for ourselves. We must do it as God commands, not the way we ‘think’ or the way someone tells us. We must look into God’s Word to see what is required.”

    Jehu reigned for seventeen years in Israel, and “followed the sins of Jeroboam.” He continued to allow the religious system where they worshiped the golden calves at Dan and Bethel. He was not considered a good king, even with all of the good and obedience he did. He failed to implement into his heart and life what God’s Word taught in order to be pleasing to God. Remember what Jesus declared in the New Testament. “22.Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:22-23). What a warning for us today!

    Do you belong to Jesus? Have you allowed Him to change you from the inside out?

    Or,

    Are you just “doing good things”?

    How to be Saved Link

  • Confess, Do not Cover

    “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.“

    Proverbs 28:13

    In most people’s eyes, King David was a much bigger sinner than King Saul was. Saul chose to disobey God’s Word. David took another man’s wife and ordered the death of her husband in battle – premeditated murder. That sounds much worse to most people. However, according to God’s Word, both men were sinners before a Holy God. “2. God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. 3. Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 53:2-3). The penalty has not changed from the Old Testament to the New Testament. “For the wages of sin is death …” (Romans 6:23a).

    Why then was David considered the best king that Israel ever had when he was such a sinner? He understood the way a sinner must come before a Holy God; in true repentance.

    Remember when King Saul was confronted with his sin by Samuel. “Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD?” (1 Samuel 15:19). What was Saul’s reply? “20. And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me … 21. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal” (1 Samuel 15:20-21). Notice he did not admit his sin. Instead, he justified his sin with his own words. Samuel reminded Saul what God requires, not what man thinks God requires. “22. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:22-23). Saul thought God expected a sacrifice. Samuel declared God required obedience to His Word, not rebellion. Saul stubbornly fulfilled his own will, not God’s. When Samuel declared God rejected Saul from being king, Saul admitted he had sinned. Nevertheless, Saul still refused to submit to God and repent. Instead, he asked Samuel to “keep up appearances.” “Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God” (1 Samuel 15:30). Saul declared he would worship “the LORD thy God.” Saul revealed his attitude toward God.

    Recall what Samuel told King Saul, even before his kinship ended. “But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee” (1 Samuel 13:14). God had chosen a young shepherd named David. Before Samuel anointed David, God told him “… for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7b).

    After David’s “great” sin, Nathan the prophet came to him and confronted him with, “Thou art the man” (see 2 Samuel 12:7). Immediately, “And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die” (2 Samuel 12:13). When David was rebuked because of sin, he immediatly repented. Psalm 51 is a heartfelt prayer from David’s heart revealing this repentance. “2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight …” (Psalm 51:2-4a). David understood what God expected. “16. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17). David recognized that God sees the heart.

    In light of these things, David was the greatest king that Israel had, not because he was sinless, but because he understood how a sinful man must approach a Holy God – with complete repentance and a change of heart. He wanted his heart cleansed. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

    One can clearly see through King Saul and King David the following verse revealed: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

    Are you like King Saul who covered his sin and did not prosper?

    Or,

    Are you like King David who forsook his sin, and God showed mercy upon him?