2018 Nov 28 Psalms, 1John 3
2018 Nov 28 Psalms, 1John 3
A warm "hello" to everyone! Let's see what spiritual gems we may find in God's word here, as we consider books 1 and 2 of Psalms, and 1John. Let's start with Psalm 28:3-6.
"3 Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those practicing what is hurtful, Those who are speaking words of peace with their fellow man while evil is in their hearts. 4 Pay them back for their deeds, According to their evil practices. Repay them for the work of their hands, According to what they have done. 5 For they pay no attention to the activities of Jehovah, Nor to the work of his hands. He will tear them down and not build them up. 6 May Jehovah be praised, For he has heard my pleas for help."
This psalm gives a picture of a typical evil person, "practicing what is hurtful." Such ones may 'speak words of peace' but harbor evil in their hearts. Their practices, though, give away the true intentions of their hearts. As Jesus said, "by their fruits you will recognize those men...Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit." (Matt 7:17,20). The psalmist pleads to God to pay them back for their deeds, "according to what they have done." Jehovah, the "Judge of all the earth," reads their hearts, including the motives behind their actions and speech. Proverbs 21:2 says "All of a man's ways seem right to him, but Jehovah examines the hearts." And Hebrews 4:13 says "...there is not a creation that is hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and openly exposed to the eyes of the one to whom we must give an account." Such ones are given to pride, likely 'flattering themselves too much to see and hate their own error.' (Psal 36:2). They may well be "double-tongued", saying one thing before one person or group, and another when with others. Verse 5 says "they pay no attention to the activities of Jehovah, nor to the work of His hands." If they pondered Jehovah's activities, always righteous, just, and fair, they likely would not be motivated to do the opposite. May we appreciate and ponder God's wonderful works as described in His word, or even things He has kindly done for us personally, that we may never be motivated to deal with others unjustly.
Psalm 69 (Book 2, 28th psalm) The psalmist David, in verses 4,5, has to endure the hatred of others. He says "Those hating me without cause Are more numerous than the hairs of my head. Those who would do away with me, My treacherous enemies, have become many. I was forced to hand over what I had not stolen. 5 O God, you are aware of my foolishness, And my guilt is not hidden from you." These may have been some of the ramifications of David's serious sin before God, who can see any badness we may do. Disloyal treacherous enemies had become many. Still, David looked to Jehovah as he sought to correct his steps before God. As we avoid serious sin, we may still face opposition from those not loving Jehovah as we do. May we look to Jehovah as other faithful ones have, to find His favor and blessing.
1John 3:4-8 highlights the value of seeking God's righteousness. It reads: "Everyone who practices sin is also practicing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 You know, too, that he was made manifest to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in union with him does not practice sin; no one who practices sin has either seen him or come to know him. 7 Little children, let no one mislead you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as that one is righteous. 8 The one who practices sin originates with the Devil, because the Devil has been sinning from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was made manifest, to break up the works of the Devil."
Some use other verses to claim that no one can be righteous before God, but 1John 3:7, among many verses, clearly shows "the one who practices righteousness is righteous." We are to keep "seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness" that God may provide the necessities of life for us. (Matt 6:33). We are told that "unrighteous people will not inherit God's kingdom." (1Cor 6:9-11). Thus it is by a living faith that we gain salvation, one that draws closer to God over time as we refine our conduct in harmony with our Bible-trained conscience, being considered righteous in God's eyes as He mercifully applies the value of Christ's ransom sacrifice in our behalf to make up where we lack, as we are seeking the will of God whole-heartedly. (Matt 7:21-23).
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Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
