The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Walk

  • Choose to do Good

    “Seek the LORD, and ye shall live …”
    Amos 5:6

    ‘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, 23. And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 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, 21–25).’

    Notice that Paul portrayed a progressive departure from the truth of righteousness they knew. It was not a sudden departure. Search your heart to see if you are guilty of knowing the way of righteousness, yet not living in the truth of it. This is an important question for each Christian to consider!

    ‘What should we learn from Israel’s obstinacy? Jesus should be our ultimate example. “21. … [B]ecause Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 24. Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (2 Peter 2:21–22, 24). 

    When we know 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).’

    Have you chosen to do good and to seek the Lord?

    Excerpts from The Biblical Path of Life, Year Two Quarter One, Lesson 10; Shallum – Hoshea. www.biblicalpath.com

  • Read Your Bible

    “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”
    (2 Timothy 3:16)

    “Have you ever tried to play a game with someone without reading the instructions? Was there arguing over unknown rules? Was it a peaceful game or was there much disagreement? Was it any fun?

    How about putting something together without instructions? Or making a trip without consulting directions? Living a Christian life without reading the “rules” is impossible to do. The rules are God’s Word. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Understand it better by using the following definitions:

    • inspiration of God: breathed by God; divinely inspired
    • profitable: helpful; useful; advantageous
    • doctrine: instruction; not only the teaching but also the authority of the teacher
    • reproof: conviction; manifestation of the truth and the results
    • correction: set right again; correct
    • instruction: teaching that includes chastening

    Notice that 2 Timothy 3:16 builds upon itself in its instruction. They are interdependent (mutually dependant) upon each other. First we see it is a doctrine (used for instruction or warning), then as truth (knowing the truth, convincing us of error), correction (morally correcting), and instruction (we see discipline to lead us to righteousness).”  (Excerpt from Y1Q4 – Lesson 6)

    As Christians read the Bible, they can understand the importance of seeking God with their whole heart and to not wander (stray) from God’s commands. It is good to hide God’s Word in your heart until it becomes a part of who you are. “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalm 119:11). It would be good to read all of Psalm 119. Let it be an encouragement to those who truly seek to know and please God; to seek God’s heart (remember David?). This Psalm was written by one who truly loved God and did not find His Word laborious. Reading the Bible to know God better must be our hearts’ desire in order to walk with God. “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:105) We should be happy to walk according to God’s Word. “Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it” (Psalm 119:140).

    Christians must read the Bible to remember what God has done, which leads to understanding the value of God’s Word. It is at this point we begin to recognize the importance of walking with God, obeying God’s Words, to live a life pleasing to and blessed by God.

    Do you love to read God’s Word?

    Does the Bible light your path?

  • Faithfulness to Christ

    “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”           (2 Corinthians 5:10)

    Excerpt from “The Biblical Path of Life, Year Three Quarter Three” Lesson 5:

    “Read Paul’s conflict of continuing to work for the Lord here on earth, many times in tribulation, desiring to be in heaven. “6. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7. (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8. We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 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; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” (2 Corinthians 5:6-11) Terror means “the fear of God as in a deep and reverential sense of accountability to God or Christ.” Paul’s conflict was resolved when he understood that God had much work for Christians to do here on earth: teaching Jesus. And that each Christian would stand before the Lord one day to give an accounting of their faithfulness in their Christian walk, “whether it be good or bad.” As we understand that, remember something important that we have already learned. God knows everything, even the things done in secret (see Ecclesiastes 12:14: “For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil”). We are to understand that each Christian will stand before God and be accountable for what they have done with his or her life. What are we to do? We are to “persuade men.” Not only tell about Jesus, but to live for Him, faithfully.

    Why live for Christ? “14. For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16. Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:14-17). Jesus died on the cross for man’s sin. Once He gave His life, He gave the ability for any who would believe in Him to have life instead of death. Once a Christian receives that gift of life, he must understand that he is now “in Christ, he is a new creature.” No longer what he once was, a sinner doomed for eternal separation from God. Now, all things are become new. There is a new life to live in Christ; for Christ. “20. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21). Because God took man’s sin, placed it upon Jesus (“made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin”), it made those who believe able to stand righteous before God. Each Christian must understand that he represents Christ here in this world. According to the dictionary, ambassador means “a minister of the highest rank, representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. They are ordinary when they reside permanently at a foreign court, but extraordinary when they are sent on a special occasion.” Christians must be considered extraordinary for they do not permanently reside on the earth, but were sent especially by Jesus to represent Him, living right and telling others about Him, until He returns. 

    Paul lived as an ambassador for Christ.”