People Whose God is the LORD

In Psalm 1, David says blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, does not stand in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of the scornful.  He is blessed who delights in the law of the LORD and meditates in it day and night.  Such a one is compared to a tree planted by rivers of water that brings fruit in due season, whose leaf does not wither and whatsoever he does will prosper because of His God.  The idols of the heathen were believed to bring prosperity, good fortune and luck, yet all they could provide was false hope.  The living, almighty God of Israel is the One who gives abundant life and supplies all our needs--in this life and that which is to come.

The blessings contained in the Law of Moses primarily concerned life on earth, the "here and now."  David sang in Psalm 144:9-15:  "I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You, ¹⁰ the One who gives salvation to kings, Who delivers David His servant from the deadly sword. ¹¹ Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood--¹² that our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as pillars, sculptured in palace style; ¹³ that our barns may be full, supplying all kinds of produce; that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields; ¹⁴ that our oxen may be well-laden; that there be no breaking in or going out; that there be no outcry in our streets. ¹⁵ Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the LORD!"

David's prayer was a good one, that the marital unions of the people would be fruitful to produce godly children.  Blessed and happy are the people whose God is the LORD, who provides salvation and all we need for life and godliness.  Whilst God's people are never guaranteed children, an over-abundance of food and reserves, or everyone will have an ox for their stable (or car in their garage!), God is faithful to provide for all we need--including deliverance and salvation.  What He gives us is more than money could ever buy, for He causes us to be spiritually fruitful by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  Rather than our lives being marked by the works of the flesh, our lives can produce the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, self-control and on.

By faith in Jesus Christ, every sinner has the opportunity for salvation, to become one of God's people.  There is one LORD over all other gods, spirits, people and creating things, and happy are the people who know and serve Him as God.  As God's servant Habakkuk said well of God his strength in Habakkuk 3:17-18:  "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls--¹⁸ yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  Whether or not we seem prosperous today, we can rejoice in the LORD who is the God our our salvation.  He is our Life, and our future is safe and glorious in His presence.

Watch Yourself!

"Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.¹⁴ Let all that you do be done with love."

1 Corinthians 16:13-14

When we read exhortations to "watch" in the scripture, our minds might go to the role of the watchman who vigilantly kept watch over a city to sound the alarm at the sign of an approaching enemy.  This watchman on duty was primarily serving the common good, like a shepherd who was on guard to protect sheep from wolves and thieves.  In context, this exhortation to "watch" is better viewed as primarily personal.  Rather than keeping watch for the protection of others to warn them of approaching dangers, this call is to first keep watch over ourselves that we are doing what Paul commands ourselves:  stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong and see all that we do be done with love.

Examining our own hearts, ensuring we stand in the faith of Jesus Christ and doing all in love ourselves will result in better watchmen of the the flock or city.  If we leave this personal calling and responsibility undone, we will be like the one Jesus spoke of who had the log in their own eye and could not see clearly to remove a speck from their brother's eye.  It is fine to be on guard against external threats or even on falsehoods worming their way into the church, but the ones that creep into our own hearts and minds due to pride, hypocrisy and self-righteousness are the most destructive.  King Saul's problem was not the Philistines that couched in garrisons but his own proud and rebellious heart.  Having been born again by faith in Jesus, He makes us to be brave and be strong because of our new identify in Him.

In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul previously gave a wonderful description of love that ought to guide our thinking, decisions and conduct.  By steadfast faith in Jesus, we ought to see we walk according to God's unfailing love shown in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:  "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."  By God's grace let us see we are brave and strong to live like this, and as we follow Jesus we will see clearly to follow Him closely, delighting in Him and doing His will.

Insight Into Reality

When communicating with others it is possible to send an unintended message.  I used to think if someone was telling me about their problem it was because they actually wanted suggestions on possible solutions, but I have learned this is rarely the case.  Years of studying and being taught the Bible sent the message it was my responsibility, not only to learn and follow the scripture, but to engage with people with the intent to share the Gospel and lead them to Christ.  Somehow I imagined changing people's minds was now my responsibility, having been endowed with wisdom from above.  Coming to realise changing people's hearts and minds is what only God can do provided welcome relief from self-condemnation after my countless failures.

In his book Renovation of the Heart, Dallas Willard said on the subject:

"Our beliefs and feelings cannot be changed by choice.  We cannot just choose to have different beliefs and feelings.  But we do have some liberty to take in different ideas and information and to think about things in different ways.  We can choose to take in the Word of God, and when we do that, beliefs and feelings will be steadily pulled in a godly direction.  One of the worst mistakes that can be made in practical ministry is to think that people can choose to believe and feel differently.  Following that, we will mistakenly try to generate faith by going through the will--possibly trying to move the will by playing on emotion.  Rather, the will must be moved by insight into truth and reality.  Such insight will evoke emotion appropriate to a new set of the will.  That is the order of real inward change...Belief is when your whole being is set to act as if something is so.  And that is how the commands of Jesus finally come to us as we grow.  We see them to be reality." (Willard, Dallas, et al. Renovation of the Heart: Putting on the Character of Christ. Form, 2021. Pages 261-262)

Just this morning I read Paul's concluding remarks after establishing the proper order of the use of spiritual gifts in a church assembly in 1 Corinthians 14:37-38:  "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. ³⁸ But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant."  Paul conveyed the divinely inspired Word of God, and if people refused to humbly receive it and apply it personally it was not his responsibility to make them change.  Paul would not have them be ignorant of spiritual gifts and thus he held forth the truth.  There was no reason to remain ignorant of God and His commands, yet if someone was intent to carry on in ignorance that was their choice.  If they were blind leaders of the blind they would all fall into the ditch, and perhaps the experience would bring them to their senses of their need for God.

God does not hold us responsible to change other people, but He does require us to embrace personal change as we follow Jesus as disciples.  He has compassion on the ignorant, but our good God and Teacher does not keep the children of light in the dark about His will and ways.  Ignorance does not work in our favour but ultimately leads to destruction.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, and is the revelation of God that directs us to seek and know Him, to ask for forgiveness and salvation, to obey His commands and do what pleases Him.  It is by exposure to God's Word, the Holy Spirit within us and the fellowship of the saints that prompts positive change of our beliefs to think more like Him, the humbling of our will by faith in Jesus with intent to do God's will and find rest in Him.

For the Profit of All

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. ⁶ And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. ⁷ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all..."

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

In Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, he compared the church to a body where Jesus Christ is the head and all Christians are connected to Him and one another.  Hands and feet are different from each other, but they both have their function to serve the whole body.  God, who created every person unique, by the Holy Spirit gives a variety of spiritual gifts that minister in countless ways to people in the church.  Even as all humans share the same basic physical anatomy but can look very different in appearance, the same spiritual gift can be as unique as believers who receive and exercise it.

Paul emphasised the sovereignty of God, the unity of believers, the diversity of gifts and activities.  In verse 7 the reason is stated for the gifts, ministries, activities and work of the church together:  each believer is gifted for the profit of all.  This passage and others in the New Testament describe roles and spiritual gifts given to Christians so members of the church individually and the church corporately will be edified and Jesus Christ glorified.  It is important to understand the spiritual gifts God gives us are not primarily for our own personal edification but for the building up of the church.  This means spiritual gifts are not to be reserved or limited for personal use but to be used in the church community as we gather together regularly.  Through the use of gifts, ministry and activities, God chooses to work all so all will profit.

In my youth this was entirely a foreign concept to me.  For instance, when I received a birthday gift, I viewed it as mine--it was intended for me to use when and how I wanted.  It was not my brother's toy or my sister's toy, but my personal property.  I remember receiving a gift of beef jerky once and since it was a special treat I limited myself to only one piece every day to savour it until it was gone.  It never once occurred to me to offer some of the jerky to my siblings or parents who gave it to me.  It was mine!  I did not think to follow my dad's example, for whenever he received an edible gift his first impulse was to open the container and pass it around so everyone could enjoy the treat together.  It wasn't that he didn't like cashews or beef jerky but he cared about those around him who would appreciate a snack as well.

Since God has been gracious and generous to give us forgiveness, salvation and spiritual gifts, we ought to be generous with the gifts He has given us to people in the church.  Galatians 6:10 reads, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  When we consider the roles and spiritual gifts mentioned in this chapter, we see all of them involve a group of people.  1 Corinthians 12:29-30 says, "Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?"  What is the point of an apostle being sent who goes to no one, a prophet without hearers or a teacher without students?  Jesus healed others rather than himself, and tongues with interpretations are a sign to unbelievers and believers can praise God together with understanding.

God has given us spiritual gifts for the profit of all, and even we are not our own because we have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus.  Praise God for His gracious gifts and how He uses diverse people with various gifts for the same purpose of edifying the church.  Instead of being like me, hoarding my gift of beef jerky for myself, let us be as generous share around God's love and serve others like Jesus always does.