Posted on 10/21/2017 4:56:53 PM PDT by metmom
"The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes" (Ps. 19:8).
Obedience to the Word is the hallmark of a true believer.
It isn't popular these days to speak of God's Word as a book of commandments. Commands imply law and we're accustomed to grace. But the fact is, both the Old and New Testaments contain many commandments that all God's people are to obey.
The apostle John said, "By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, 'I have come to know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected" (1 John 2:3-5). John equated the commandments of God with the Word of God.
Jesus Himself said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15) and "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father" (v. 21). If you truly love Christ, your life will be characterized by a pattern of obedience to His Word.
Every commandment of God is "pure", the psalmist said (Ps. 19:8). Its effect is "enlightening the eyes." God's Word brings spiritual truth into clear focus. Not every passage of Scripture is easy to understand, but taken as a whole, the message of the Bible is clear to the regenerate mind.
But as clear as the Bible is to believers, unredeemed people can't understand it. To them it's foolishness because their minds are unenlightened (1 Cor. 2:14). In their spiritual blindness they choose humanistic philosophical speculations over God's Word. But as a believer, you are continually being enlightened by the truths of God's Word as the Holy Spirit enables you to understand and apply them to your life.
Your ability to understand the Word is a priceless gift. Take advantage of it daily by expanding your Bible knowledge and increasing your obedience.
Suggestions for Prayer
Thank the Lord for opening your mind to the truths of His Word. Commit yourself to discovering at least one additional truth from Scripture each day. For Further Study
Read 1 Corinthians 2:14-16. What comparison did Paul make between the natural (unregenerate) man and the spiritual (regenerate) man?
Studying God’s Word ping
For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me.
What’s the reference to that?
Should also be noted that Jesus had to die for all our sins because none of us was capable of obeying the law (or even fully wanting to obey it). If we could do what so many claim is a requirement then heaven would be an empty place.
Paul, who had met the risen Jesus and been chosen by God to carry His Word, lamented that even after all that, he found himself doing things he knew he shouldn't do and not doing things he knew he should do.
Folks in the Bible who decided they needed to do at least some of the things they used to do in order to try to please God were castigated as having fallen from Grace.
He died because He knew/knows that not a single one of us could achieve Heaven if we had to follow any of the original Commandments/Law, or anything else some seem to delude themselves into believing they can do. If we were capable, He would not have had to die....
I’m sorry — I am not sure I understand your question. What brought it to my mind from the posted article was this:
“Your ability to understand the Word is a priceless gift.”
PS- I believe it’s the Septuagint translation of Psalm 50 (Psalm 51 in KJV)
That looked like a verse from Scripture.
Was it and where was it found?
It’s Psalm 51 (KJV). I memorized it from my prayer book. It seems it’s actually the from the Latin Vulgate translation.
Here’s a translation of that verse from Miles Coverdale’s Bible (1535) which is similar:
But lo, thou hast a pleasure in the truth, and hast shewed me secrete wysdome.
Here’s the KJV:
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Sorry I’m unclear. What I quoted is (I think) the Latin Vulgate translation, not KJV. I cited KJV because it’s Psalm 51 in KJV, but Psalm 50 in Septuagint, which is what I thought the translation was.
Beg your pardon.
I recognize that translation.
You’re fine. Don’t worry about it.
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