Desire to Know a Law

Yes, “a law” is what I meant. In this morning’s study of the word “law” I was led to the book of Isaiah.

“⁴Give attention to me, my people,

and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

and I will set my justice for a light to the peoples.”

— Isaiah 51:4 (ESV)

In the above verse we see the word law and it is defined here from my study as “teaching” or “instruction”, which really helps to understand the context of the verse and the passage. I have to remember that God’s Word is not just rules and regulations to follow, but it is instruction and teaching that lead to discipline. It does not come from man, but from the LORD. It is breathed out by Him and for my daily use.

Man’s law is in place to stop us or keep us from doing things that injure other people. God’s Law is for us that we might not injure Him. When we break the Law of the LORD, we hurt Him. When we sin, where those sins may not hurt any other person, those sins are against the LORD and He feels the betrayal and is hurt in the process.

It is up to me to know that the Word of God is for my benefit and not my regulation. By following God’s Law, we will not cause Him harm and by extension will not cause harm to others (You shall not steal or kill, clearly impacts other people). And how do we keep God’s Law but to know and follow it.

God’s Law is instruction and teachings for us to follow. We find what to do and what not to do to bring glory to the LORD. Bringing glory to Him is clearly not causing harm to others while bringing praise and adoration to Him. We are to desire to know that instruction and teachings or “as law” of the LORD.

What are your thoughts on “a law” of the LORD? Are you seeing them as rules and regulations to follow so as not to bring harm to others? What if you saw them as instruction and teaching instead as a way to not bring harm to the LORD and bring Him glory?

Keep the Law of the LORD in Your Heart

It is one thing to know something and something else to commit it to your very being. The second is where I find my learning this morning in God’s Word. I continue my study of the word “law” and in this study I have found that it is important to read, study, know, and understand the Law of the LORD. We have to commit it to memory to use in our daily walk with Him and in the carrying out of His plan for our lives.

I see on social media a number of people that are defending their position on things and using God’s Word in their rhetoric. Yet when they are presented more context as to the verse or passage they are using, their arguments fall apart. These people may have read, studied, know, and understand the Law of the LORD, yet they have not committed the Law to their being and only use it to get what they want as opposed to what God plans.

I know, when I am doing my study I will post a single verse and to the first time visitor to my posts it may seem as though I am cherry picking verses. You are entitled to your opinion, yet I encourage you to read many of them and dig into God’s Word for yourself. I am a sinner just like you and will get it wrong.

“⁸I delight to do your will, O my God;

your law is within my heart.”

— Psalm 40:8 (ESV)

The above verse is found in a passage titled, “My Help and My Deliverer” in my ESV Bible. Yes, it is only one verse, yet again I encourage you to seek out God’s Word for yourself. I have been in the passage and studied this verse before and what I got from it I wrote in the margin of my bible, “God is in your heart.” And this morning I see more than that, God is in my heart indeed, but I have to allow Him to be there and along with Him is His Word and Law.

The Law of the LORD is more than just words on a page or in a book. It is the very culture that I am to live out in this world to carry me to heaven. Actions don’t do it, it is the condition of my heart that God is looking to. He will determine my righteousness from the condition of my heart that leads to the following of His Law, not necessarily the actions that I perform. Oh, the actions are important, as they will demonstrate to the world the condition of my heart. But those actions are not what get me anywhere as they are simply an extension of my heart and the application of God and His Law to my life and those actions. I can follow the law to avoid discipline, but when I have God’s Law in my heart, I follow His Law because of discipline.

God is indeed in my heart. It is up to me to allow Him to be there and also His Law. I live the Law of the LORD and not just read, study, know, and understand. I keep the Law of the LORD in my heart to guide me into actions that bring glory to Him and show the world that He is in my heart and my life always.

Where to you keep the law of the LORD? Are you storing it up in your mind to use to avoid discipline? What if you keep the Law of the LORD in your heart to guide you in you actions to bring glory to Him ans show the world that He is in your heart and your life?

Meditate on the Instruction of the LORD

“²but his delight is in the law of the LORD,

and on his law he meditates day and night.”

— Psalm 1:2 (ESV)

I have studied he above verse on numerous occasions and as is usual God has led me to something new. We are to delight in the law and we are to meditate on this law. But what I see this morning in this verse is the definition of the law in this context. You see, the law of the LORD here is “instruction” as noted in the meanings or definitions found in my ESV Bible. In my Christian Standard Bible (CSB) the verse says, “his delight is in the LORD’s instruction”.

In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul provides Timothy with the same as relates to scripture or Law of the LORD.

“¹⁶All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” – 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

God’s Word is not just the law that we are to follow, it is the instruction book as to how to carry ourselves through this world. Whether it be The Ten Commandments, how to pray, how to engage with the Word of God, or how and when to worship, God’s Law is there to guide us and instruct us through it all.

I know that I knew this. I study God’s Word to learn how to approach this world and work my way through it as God intends. Where I know that I am a sinner and have much more to learn, I also know that God is leading me to be better and more like Him every day. This is only possible through the instruction that I receive as I read, study, know, and understand His Word.

What is your view of God’s Word? Do you see it as the law? What if you were to see it as instruction on how to carry out your life here in this world?

Meditate of God’s Law

“⁸This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” – Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

God is speaking to Joshua directly here. Moses has died and Joshua has been tasked with leading the people into the promised land. A big task, yes, but God will be with them and here He is telling them how to go about thing. They are to follow the Law as it is written and not deviate. The thing is, as noted in Deuteronomy, they did not have everything written in books to read and take with them, there was reliance on the passing of Law down from person to person and generation to generation. As such, God has given the command to no only read and know the Law, but to “meditate on it day and night”.

This is the command to us and not just the Israelite people. We have to not only read, know, and understand the Word of God, we are to “meditate on it day and night” to ensure that we are living it out daily. It is easy for us to read God’s Word as we have bibles readily available, in many different version and even electronically. We even carry it with us (in the form of apps on our phones). Yet, do we really know and understand His Word. Do we “meditate on it day and night”?

I have on my desk a stack of Bible Verses for memorization. This is my start to meditation. They are right in front of me and I see them and reference them throughout the day. I am not just looking at God’s Word in the mornings as I have my time to study, I am reviewing His Word all day even if for just a moment to read through the verses in front of me. See the last part of verse eight above to see that we will find success in when we are in the Word of God and following His Law carefully. In my interactions with others I have God’s Word and the example of Jesus at top of mind leading to efficient and effective interactions.

Just having the information of God’s Word available is great, as we do have more access today than was available in biblical times. Yet that information is essentially useless in our day to day walk with Christ if we are not keeping it at the forefront of our minds and actions. We have to read, know, and understand God’s Word and then we “meditate on it day and night”.

What is your approach to God’s Law? Are you one that has the information available and then seeks to look it up to determine your next move? What if you were to read, know, understand, and “meditate on it day and night” and live it out always?

The Law is for the Immoral

How often is it that you are breaking the law? Do you even think about the law as you go through your daily life? Are you concerned with your actions and how they align with the law? I can say that for me, I rarely think about whether or not something I am doing is legal or not. I will look to whether or not it is right.

“⁸Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, ⁹understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,” – 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (ESV)

Looking at the above passage, we see that the law was put in place, not for those who are “just” it is put in place for those who would be unjust or “lawless and disobedient” or immoral. Those who are “just” and right, do not need the law as they follow the LORD and the path that He has laid out for them.

I am not saying that the law is not needed. What I am saying is that it is in place for those who are not followers of Christ and His righteous direction. Those who follow Christ do work for Him and therefore are not working against the law. It is not that they are ignorant of the law or choose to disobey the law, it is that it just does not come up as they are already in standing in morality according the God.

It is certainly difficult to understand for those who are not followers of Christ. They would contend that the law is for everyone and that even followers of Christ are subject to the law. I would not argue with their assertion. I would state that there is no real thought as to what is legal or illegal as the situations rarely arise and when they do, the thought of “What Would Jesus Do” is guiding action as opposed to the law.

Now, the other question, what if a follower of Christ does indeed break the law? Great question. Then they are subject to the consequences. Following Christ is going to put you in positions where choices will be made as to legality or right. There are times when the right thing to do is not in line with what is legal and for that followers of Christ are subject to the consequences of going against the law. Again, it is not that the law is being ignored, it is that following Christ is taking the right actions.

For all there direction. For the Christian, that direction comes from God and His Word. The law is in place for the immoral who have no other guide as to what is right and what is wrong.

Where do you find your guide? Are you in the camp of needing the law to determine what you can and cannot do? What if you followed Christ, knowing that your actions are right?

Home Made with Christ

I began a study of the word “home” and this morning I see where and how my home is made. It is made with Christ.

“²³Jesus answered him, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’” – John 14:23 (ESV)

Jesus is speaking to the disciples in the upper room here. He is telling of the coming of the Holy Spirit and discussing the fact that though He will be physically gone, He will always be with them through the Holy Spirit. He is speaking to who He will be with, the disciples, yes, but also those who are in and keep the Word of God. He and the Father will make their home with those who follow and keep the will of the LORD.

“²¹Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him. ²²Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, ‘Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?’” – John 14:21-22 (ESV)

Jesus tells the disciples that He will make himself known to those who love Him and keep His commandments. He is asked is answering the question of Judas as to why He will only make Himself known to some and not the whole world.

Jesus answers Judas and really me as to something that I have long questioned myself. Is Christ for all and will all be saved. The answer is NO. Not all will come to know Christ. Yes, most everyone will hear of Christ, but not everyone will know Him. And as Jesus says, “And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” The Father will only make a home with those who hear of and follows and keeps His Word.

So, how and where is my home made, with Christ. I have a part to play in it. I have to hear of the LORD and study His Word and keep His Word, not just in my mind, but live it out every day. When I do, the LORD will come to me and dwell within me and make His home with me.

Where and how is your home made? Are you working for it on your own? What if you were to hear and follow the Word of the LORD and know that in doing so, He will make His home with you?

God’s Word Discerns the Heart

“¹²For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

Yes, we lead our lives from the heart and yes, the Holy Spirit is guiding our lives from our heart. And how is it that we understand our heart and that which God has for us, we utilize His Word.

I have been doing my daily bible study and writing for almost 10 years. And over that time I know that I have grown and have found more direction. I know that today I have a better idea of my role with the LORD and the spreading of His Word, but even still I know that I am not done.

I take direction from the Holy Spirit in when and where I am to go. I may not be making impacts in the world that the world recognizes, but I am making impacts that the LORD recognizes. This is the direction that I know I am to go, and I can say without question this is due to my study of God’s Word each day.

Without God’s Word, I am not sure that I would understand the Holy Spirit’s direction means to me. I would be headed blindly ahead and just doing as I am told. Where that is, to some degree, a good thing to be that obedient, it is a bit short sighted in not understanding the why and impacts of the work being done.

Take my Bible study and writing. I am diligent and dedicated to the actions, and therefor am fulfilling that which the LORD has for me. Even still, I do not know those who are impacted. I post here and yet receive little feedback as to who and how the work I am doing is fulfilling God’s plan. Yet, I know that the LORD is using me in the way He would have me to reach even one, and that one may be the reason I am here. So, I carry on understanding that God’s Word is my why and that the LORD is using His Word to direct my heart.

How are you discerning that which is in your heart? Are you using end results to impact your next move? What if you were to lean on the LORD and His Word to provide the direction of your heart and know that direction is making the impact that He would have for you?

Avoid Temptation with God’s Word on Your Heart

In my last couple of writings God’s Word on your heart is important to staying straight and keeping from sin. This morning that theme is reiterated and God’s Word on your heart is where we focus to avoid temptation.

“²⁵Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her paths,

²⁶for many a victim has she laid low,

and all her slain are a mighty throng.

²⁷Her house is the way to Sheol,

going down to the chambers of death.”

— Proverbs 7:25-27 (ESV)

In the world there are a lot of things that will tempt us. These things are not of God or His Word. These are from the evil one and will do nothing but destroy us. She, the temptation, will tear us down and turn us from the LORD and His Word and plan for our lives.

“¹My son, keep my words

and treasure up my commandments with you;

²keep my commandments and live;

keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

³bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

and call insight your intimate friend,

⁵to keep you from the forbidden woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words.”

— Proverbs 7:1-5 (ESV)

But, we have the way to avoid temptation and that is with God’s Word on our heart. Notice in verse five above that the Word of God will, “keep you from” temptation.

I know that I need all the help I can get when it comes to temptation. I am a sinner and therefor am prone to sin at every turn. But, when I am focused on the Word of God, I am not thinking of sinning. I am able to stay on the straight path. I am able to avoid temptation. All because I am driven by the Word of the LORD and what He has in store for me.

The evil one is cunning and will use any and everything to draw us away from the LORD. He will lie to us, lavish us with power and authority, and provide riches all in the interest of turning us away from God. He will temp you with that which he knows will entice you to turn from God. And he will not quit until He has accomplished his goal of doing so.

It is up to us and our relationship with God to avoid the temptations of the evil one. We have to write the Word of God on our heart. We have to keep His Word and know that the LORD will protect us and provide for us and keep us moving to glory. In this the LORD wants us to use Him and His Word on our heart to avoid temptation.

What is your approach to temptation? Are you even aware of the temptations of the evil one? What if you focused on the Word of the LORD to stay on the straight path, keep from sin, and avoid temptation?

Built up Through Prophecy and Tongues

This morning I admit was a learning moment for me. The verse and passage of my study is in 1 Corinthians on prophecy and tongues. Paul writes of the two and their meaning and impact to the individual and church.

“²³If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?” – 1 Corinthians 14:23 (ESV)

I will say that I have always been leery of places of worship where there is speaking in tongues. Paul even addresses this in the above verse that when an outsider encounters this, they are likely thinking the same as I.

“²For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.” – 1 Corinthians 14:2 (ESV)

But, this does not mean that speaking in tongues is a bad thing. You can see that Paul addresses the speaking in tongues is for one to speak with God. What a wonderful thing that I and God have our own language to commune together. God speaks directly with me for my benefit. I even pray that God will reveal to me (with a knock on the head as I need it that way) His will in my life.

“²⁴But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, ²⁵the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.” – 1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (ESV)

It is prophecy that is better than speaking in tongues. Not because the individual is not important, but because prophecy can be heard by all, believers and unbelievers. Prophecy is for all where speaking in tongues is for the one. It is our goal as followers of Christ to bring His Word to all and provide for them the opportunity to follow Him. When we prophesy, we are bringing the revelations God has provided to all the people and working to fulfill our role in this world.

Now, again, speaking in tongues is that personal revelation of God’s Word to the individual. We have to remember that God has provided our gifts and one of those may be the gift of interpretation. So, speaking in tongues can be beneficial to all when the interpreter is present, using his gift to share the revelation of the one with the church and all. But without the interpretation, the speaking in tongues is for the one and not the many.

“⁵Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.” – 1 Corinthians 14:5 (ESV)

And now to the verse that led to my study of this passage and my learning. Paul makes it clear here that speaking in tongues and prophecy are both part of the building up. One, speaking in tongues, for the individual and the other, prophecy, for all. He would rather for prophecy than for speaking in tongues for the benefit of all “so that the church may be built up” and we can fulfill our work assigned by God.

What are your thoughts on prophecy and the speaking in tongues? Are you partial to one or the other? What if you were to keep the speaking in tongues to be between you and God and prophecy to be for all “so that the church may be built up”?

Built up By and Through the Word

Jesus is the Temple. And we go to Him to worship and find our direction and our comfort and our mercy and our grace.

“¹In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” – John 1:1 (ESV)

Not only is Jesus the Temple where we worship, He is the Word of the LORD. I (we) have the pleasure of having the LORD with us always in Jesus. When we make our way to Him for worship we are not just entering the place where the LORD will “find” us, we find Him there as the word and can rely on Him for our everything.

“³²And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” – Acts 20:32 (ESV)

Here we find Paul speaking to the elders of the church at Ephesus. He is laying out to them that they have all they need in Christ, and that he will be leaving them never to return again. Even as he will not be there to guide and carry them through the trials they will continue to face, He reminds them that they are not alone and that it was not he who was building them up and will continue to do so, but God.

We too often I believe feel as though we need someone at our side building us up and when we do not, we feel as though all is lost. Paul takes special care to ensure that the church at Ephesus know that they are not alone. They have the LORD by their side as He has always been and will always be. I (we) have to remember that as well. The LORD is always by my side and building me up.

“⁶Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, ⁷rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” – Colossians 2:6 & 7 (ESV)

Above you see that Paul reminds the church of Colossae of the same. They have the Temple that is Jesus and the Word of the LORD to build them up. They are not left to themselves trying to make it. They have Christ by their side at all times, when they received Him and as they move forward in Him.

I am not alone. I may be by myself physically, but alone I am not. Christ is always with me as the Temple and the Word of the LORD. He provides me with all I need to make it in this world. He is my provision and certainly a blessing to me. He builds me up when I am in need, not just in the past, but now and in time to come.

What are you in need of to be built up? Are you looking for that one to be with you and when they are not, you feel all alone? What if you turned to Christ to be built up as He was with you before, is with you now, and will be with you always to build you up?