PART 3: That I Might Not Sin ~ Continued...

      Look again at being sanctified. The lexicon says it means “to purify internally by reformation of soul.” Our soul is our mind, will and emotions. That’s some pretty internal stuff. This says that our soul undergoes a reformation. According to Webster, “reform” means: “to make better by removing faults; correct. … to form again.” (Webster’s New world Dictionary of the American Language, page 624) So when our soul is reformed, it is made better “by removing faults”. Notice that it says faults are removed, not simply hidden or covered over. The soul is formed again or made new. Hallelujah, the knowledge of the Truth has the capability make us free from the baggage of sins, past and present, as well as old hurts and habits! Our spirit was saved when we were born again and now our soul can be reborn, as well! When instructing born again believers, James said, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” James 1:21. Please don’t think that I am saying that if we read, study and know what the Bible says, we are automatically made holy or righteous. It’s not that simple. It is at that point where we make a choice. Will we do the right thing which we have learned in God’s Word or will we fall back into doing what our flesh desires? Note James’ words again, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”

 

      These were fellow Christians James was addressing. They had already been “saved” but James refers to the need for their souls to also be saved as well. The mind, will and emotions need to be redeemed – that is restored back to their original state before the fall in the Garden of Eden. Let’s face it – When we are born again, our mind, our will and our emotions do not automatically line up with God’s righteousness. We do not suddenly have all thoughts that are completely pure. We do not suddenly have all desires that are righteous. And we do not suddenly express all holy emotions that exhibit no anger, no fear, no worry--- but instead all pure love, joy and peace. Purity of mind, righteous desires and constant peace comes by way of continuous study and application of scriptures, communing with the Father, subjecting ourselves to sound biblical teaching, and listening to and heeding the directions of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Granted, no one does this all of the time, but God’s Word is there for us and we must choose to receive it and allow it to be implanted into our souls and spirits. When we do these things we are accomplishing this instruction from James: “lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” Until our souls are redeemed, we are not capable of living above sin and being in position to receive the blessings that God greatly desires to give us. Likewise, we are not in position to live the life of purpose, fulfillment and super abundance that God planned for us before we were even born. Jesus said we must be born again and now James says our soul also needs to be saved.

 

      So knowledge of and life application of the Truth of Gods’ Word will sanctify us, help us remove sin and give us the power to sin no more. I did not say that we will never sin again. I said we will have the power in us to sin no more. God created us and knows us better than we know ourselves. He called us to be holy and knows exactly what it takes for us to accomplish that high goal. We have to want to do this. The study of God’s Word can help put the want to into us and then it will also instruct us in the how to. How does it help to put the want to in us? By helping us to better know our Heavenly Father and His son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Using a cliché --- “to know Him is to love Him,” has never held truer. While all this is taking place, the Holy Spirit, indwelling us, will strengthen and empower us to get it right more and more as we grow in knowledge, wisdom and understanding. “It” being our thoughts, motives, intents of our hearts, our words and deeds.

      Let’s look more at the Holy Spirit’s role in our capacity to resist the temptation to . . .  ~~ To be continued in my next post. 

Part 3: That I Might Not Sin - continued

[Before reading today's post, please go back to the previous post and read the prayer that Jesus prayed for his followers.]

 

Jesus said He gave God’s Word to us so that we can be set apart and holy – so that we can be saints! Yes, we will all be tempted and Satan will set traps to snare us, but God’s Word gives us the power to say, “No,” when unrighteous opportunities come our way. Note that in verse 17 of Jesus’ prayer, the King James and New King James versions use the word, “sanctify”. “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.” The American Standard Version says, “Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth.” ----Do you just love the comparison!? To know Truth, know The Word!

 

Be blessed and encouraged by Joseph H. Thayer’s Greek – English Lexicon of the New Testament, (page 6), explanation of the word “sanctify”: “… to make, render or declare sacred or holy, consecrate. Hence it denotes 1. to render or acknowledge to be venerable, to hallow: … . Since the stamp of sacredness passes over from the holiness of God to whatever has any connection with God, dyiejeiv denotes, 2. to separate from things profane and dedicate to God, to consecrate and so render inviolable; a. things … b. persons. So Christ is said by undergoing death to consecrate himself to God, whose will in that way fulfils; God is said dyiacrai Christ, i.e. to have selected him for service … by having committed to him the office of Messiah. … Since only what is perfect and without blemish can be offered to God… 3. to purify …; and a. to cleanse eternally … , to purify levitically … b. to purity by expiation, free from the guilt of sin. … c. to purify internally by reformation of soul; Jn. xvii. 17, 19 (through knowledge of the truth, cf. Jn. viii, 32): … . In general, Christians are called nyiaouiroi [cf. Deut. xxxiii.3], as those who, freed from the impurity of wickedness, have been brought near to God by their faith and sanctity, Acts xx. 32; xxvi.18.”

 

I am lovin this! Oh, that we will see what John 17 is saying to the church! Christ, Himself, was speaking about us in this prayer. It says so, right there in verse 20: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;” That’s me and that’s you, if you are a believer in Christ.

 

In obedience to God the Father, Jesus the Son, gave us God’s Word (v. 14). He then asked God to, sanctify us by His truth and then proclaimed, “Your word is Truth.” So here Jesus is saying that God’s Word is Truth and it is by that Truth of God’s Word that we are sanctified. Then we see, from the lexicon, that being sanctified means to be made holy – to be consecrated and set apart for service to God. What God redeems, He purifies and what He purifies, He uses!

In the definition, we also see that “sanctify” means “to purify internally by reformation of soul” and according to John 8: 31-32, this takes place through knowledge of the truth. “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed, And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.’ ” This truth needs to be revelation understanding in our spirits that then bears righteous fruit. We can and should be changed by God’s Word! And as a result, we will be made pure------- or cleaned up, from the inside out! Also, this passage is a great example of the “If -- Then Principle.” If you do one thing, then a specific something else results. If you abide in God’s Word, then you are His disciple and you will know the truth and be set free by it. Note also that this principle is qualified by believing Jesus. One must be a believer in order for the promise to manifest.

To “abide” means “to stand fast; to remain; go on being … to stay; reside (with, in or at).” Webster’s New world Dictionary of the American Language, page 3. The place where we abide is our abode, or dwelling place. In the natural, our home is our dwelling place. It is the place we come home to, in order to find our rest, security and nourishment daily. When we abide in God’s Word, we dwell in it on a daily basis, obtaining its life giving rest, security and nourishment. It is the place we come home to.

Part 3. “That I Might Not Sin”

      Psalm 119: 11 states: “Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” God has made this provision available to those who are His own. Every believer, who has a Bible, has the opportunity to walk in the light of His Word and has the promise that it will help him or her not to sin against God. We can walk sure footed on the rough ground.

       How can this be – that if I have His Word hidden in my heart, “that I might not sin against God"? 

Psalm 119: 1-16 sheds great light on this concept:  “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways. You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently. Oh, that my ways were directed to keep your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments! I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteousness judgments. I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!” 

"How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word.  With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wonder from Your commandments! Your Word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, o Lord! Teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have declared all the judgments of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much

as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes, I will not forget Your word.”

      As I said, “How can this be” --- that if we have His Word hidden in our hearts, we will not sin against

Him? And on top of not sinning, we get a bonus! We will be blessed! Verse 2 says: “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with a whole heart! They also do no iniquity; they walk in His ways.” See verses 2 and 3 in The Amplified version: “Blessed, happy, fortunate [to be envied] are they who keep His testimonies, and who seek, inquire for and of Him and crave Him with the whole heart. Yes, they do no unrighteousness --- no willful wandering from His precepts; they walk in His ways.” So --- when we keep His ways, we are better equipped to refrain from doing iniquities or unrighteous things. This is talking about sin. Having His Word established in our hearts and spirits will strengthen us to stand against the temptation to sin. We will recognize temptation when it comes and we will have the desire and strength, or we could say, the grace, to say “No” to it. This is power that comes with having Word wisdom and understanding, as well as having the Holy Spirit living inside of us.

       The psalmist refers to “those who keep His testimonies … .” How does one know the testimonies to keep but by knowing His Word?!

      The Apostle, John, implies this principle in I John 2: 14, where he writes, “I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.” It seems here that there is a connection between overcoming Satan and having God’s Word on the inside. This wicked one wants us to fail in our ability to resist evil so he sets traps for us along the way. Having God’s Word inside us means that the appropriate knowledge and understanding, in our spirit, is ready to rise up to give us the where-with-all to overcome any trap the wicked one can put in our path. It will clearly benefit us to have that path illuminated by God’s Word as have ourselves empowered by His Word. “Thank you, Lord, that we do not have to sin! We are no longer compelled to fall in to its snare. Thank You for giving us the capability to live and walk above sin. In Jesus Name, we are grateful. Amen.”

      In prayer to the Father, Jesus Himself, said: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17: 17. This one verse speaks great victory to the believer as well as substantiates my many declarations that “God’s Word is Truth.” Getting the truths of God, His Word, truly into the soul and spirit, will sanctify the believer, making him holy and giving him the power to live above sin.

      The word “sanctify,” Strongs #37, is the Greek word “hagiazo,” pronounced “hag-ee-ad’-zo,” meaning “to make holy, ie. purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate; -- hallow, be holy, sanctify.” “Venerate” describes having feeling of great respect or to revere. In the New Testament the word, “sanctify,” “describes a manifestation of life produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit.” Spirit Filled Life Bible, WW, P. 1595. I love that! ---- “... the word ‘sanctify’ describes a manifestation of life produced by the indwelling Holy Spirit.” Say that in your own words. You might say something like: “One who is sanctified lives like Jesus is in them ----in their real life.”

      This passage, in John’s gospel, is part of Jesus’ prayer for His disciples and for all believers. Many

even call this “The Lord’s Prayer.” Keeping in mind that our Lord is our own great and perfect

intercessor, let us read His prayer in it’s entirety: John 17: 1 – 26: “After saying this, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the time is here. Give your Son glory so that your Son can give you glory. After all, you've given him authority over all humanity so that he can give eternal life to all those you gave to him. This is eternal life: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. On earth I have given you glory by finishing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, give me glory in your presence with

the glory I had with you before the world existed. I made your name known to the people you gave me. They are from this world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me. They did what you told them. Now they know that everything you gave me came from you, because I gave them the message that you gave me. They have accepted this message, and they know for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I'm not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine. I have been given glory by the people you have given me. I won't be in the world much longer, but they are in the world, and I'm coming back to you. Holy Father, keep them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me, so that their unity may be like ours. While I was with them, I kept them safe by the power of your name, the name that you gave me. I watched over them, and none of them, except one person, became lost. So Scripture came true. But now, Father, I'm coming back to you. I say these things while I'm still in the world so that they will have the same joy that I have. I have given them your message. But the world has hated them because they don't belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I'm not asking you to take them out of the world but to protect them from the evil one. They don't belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Use the truth to make them holy. Your words are truth. I have sent them into the world the same way you sent me into the world. I'm dedicating myself to this holy work I'm doing for them so that they, too, will use the truth to be holy. I'm not praying only for them. I'm also praying for those who will believe in me through their message. I pray that all of these people continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me. I did this so that they are united in the same way we are. I am in them, and you are in me. So they are completely united. In this way the world knows that you have sent me and that you have loved them in the same way you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given to me to be with me, to be where I am. I want them to see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the world was made. Righteous Father, the world didn't know you. Yet, I knew you, and these disciples have known that you sent me. I have made your name known to them, and I will make it known so that the love you have for me will be in them and I will be in them.’ ” American Standard Version

I am humbled and so very encouraged to know that my Lord prayed this prayer for me ---- for all of us who are His. “Thank you, wonderful Savior!”

PART 2: A Lamp - Continued -If you're reading my blog for the first time or have never read my previous posts, I recommend starting at the beginning.

      There is great reward in observing God’s statutes and great distress in not doing so.  Let’s see more of Moses’ instructions to God’s people: “But you were loyal to the LORD your God and are still alive today. I have taught you laws and rules as the LORD my God commanded me.  You must obey them when you've entered the land and taken possession of it. Faithfully obey these laws.  This will show the people of the world your wisdom and insight.  When they hear about all these laws, they will say, ‘What wise and insightful people there are in this great nation!’  What great nation ever had their gods as near to them as the LORD our God is near to us whenever we pray to him?  Or what other great nation has such fair laws and rules as all these teachings I am giving you today?  However, be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you don't forget the things which you have seen with your own eyes.  Don't let them fade from your memory as long as you live.  Teach them to your children and grandchildren.  Never forget the day you stood in front of the LORD your God at Mount Horeb.  The LORD had said to me, ‘Assemble the people in front of me, and I will let them hear my words.  Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live on earth, and they will teach their children the same thing.’”   Deuteronomy 4:4-10, God’s Word for the Nations.

      “Today I'm giving you the choice of a blessing or a curse.  You'll be blessed if you obey the commands of the LORD your God that I'm giving you today.  You'll be cursed if you disobey the commands of the LORD your God, if you turn from the way I'm commanding you to live today, and if you worship other gods you never knew.  …  be careful to obey all the laws and rules I'm giving you today.”           Deuteronomy 11: 26 – 28, 32, God’s Word for the Nations.

      It is well established in Scriptures that our Heavenly Father, Creator God, has pre-ordained a specific path for each of us to follow through life.  He will show us the way, illuminate the way, and make provision for that way.  It is our responsibility to learn what it is and then to walk in it.  Keeping in mind that Jesus is God’s Word, made flesh, consider His words as recorded in John 12: 46:  “I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.”

This concludes PART 2.  My next post will begin  PART 3: "That I Might Not Sin"

PART 2: A Lamp - Continued -If you're reading my blog for the first time or have never read my previous posts, I recommend starting at the beginning.

Now let us continue this quote from Boiling Point, by George Barna:


“At the start of the third millennium, America is a nation in which only one-fourth of all adults and just 1 out of every 10 teenagers believes that there is absolute moral truth. The majority of America, therefore, either believes or yields to the belief that all moral truth is relative to the individual and his/her circumstances.”

“Interestingly, Americans have chosen relativism without much enthusiasm or conviction for that position. Our research shows that even though one’s stand on this matter is one of the most important choices an individual will make in his/her life, very few adults and teens ponder the existence and nature of truth. Most of those who do think about it don’t make much headway: a majority of them remain confused, frustrated or undecided as to what they think. Consequently, most people revert to the default position of the prevailing culture: moral truth is relative. We found that even a majority of those who contend that moral truth is absolute are somewhat confused about their belief and are likely to contradict themselves when questions about truth are posed from different angles.”

“… Born-again Christians, who ought to be the most verbal and convincing defenders of absolute moral truth, are more likely than nonbelievers to support the absolute stand with certainty; but the ‘absolutist’ represent less than half of all born-again adults. While the Christians who back the absolutist view outnumber those who promote the relativist view by almost a 5 to 1 ratio, we also discovered that when Christians were asked about truth in different ways, their confusion and lack of conviction was overt. The reason you don’t hear many believers discoursing on the principle of truth is probably because so few of them, regardless of their leanings, have a well researched, clearly articulate and compelling perspective on the matter.”

“What happened? How did Christians, the very people to whom God entrusted the substance of truth and morality, arrive at this vapid posture? As best we can untangle it, the route was circuitous. The teaching that people receive from their churches – the place where, hopefully, the truths asserted by God are clearly, consistently and convincingly expounded – has generally been ineffective at helping them comprehend moral truth. Our studies show that few churches use their teaching ties – sermons, Sunday school, VBS, small groups, membership classes – to intentionally and relentlessly communicate a coherent and cohesive worldview in a systematic fashion. Church-based teaching is generally founded on Bible context and delivery. In addition, the role models who impact Christians have fared poorly at portraying absolute moral truth through their words and actions.”

“Certainly, if the public were willing, it could discern the contours of a truth-based worldview from Scripture. However, most people’s experience with God’s Word is irregular and superficial, at best. Few Americans read the Bible often enough, broadly enough and sufficiently circumspectly to enable them to develop a truth-based worldview. Add to that the fact that they are immersed in a culture that promotes relativism and that the Church rarely holds its adherents accountable for their values and beliefs, and the consequence is that moral truth is essentially reflected. The practical result is obvious: without a solid moral foundation, churches and church people are affected by the culture more than they are affecting the culture’s views and behavior.” Consider again that last statement: “The practical result is obvious: without a solid moral foundation, churches and church people are affected by the culture more than they are affecting the culture’s views and behavior.”

“Whether you realize it or not, your view of moral truth is at the core of your worldview. (In this text we are speaking of a worldview as a way of interpreting all aspects of reality.) Chuck Colson has argued that the dominant American worldview of young adults can be summed up in one word: ‘whatever.’ Without the clarity and consistency of absolute moral truth, we are reduced to doing what seems right, what feels good, what produces the least resistance and what provides the greatest personal fulfillment. Naturally, our unconscious dismissal of absolute morality and ethics has produced a plethora of attitudinal and behavioral changes, including the reforming of our values.”

“But if you thought the move toward moral relativism is alarming, realize that tens of millions of Americans have taken the next logical step beyond moral relativism. Cultural analysts argue that there are really three dominant strains of thought in America today. There is the traditional or pre-modern view that says absolute moral truth exists, it is knowable and it has consequences for people’s lives. The modern view maintains that all truth is relative to the person’s perspective. The newest iteration, which is increasingly popular, is known as postmodernism. This philosophy asserts that there is not truth at all: Efforts to discover absolutes, much less to live them, are fruitless. Postmodernism is based on existentialism, which claims there is no meaning or purpose to life; personal experience is all that a person can know and appreciate.”

“Did you ever wonder how so many people can own Bibles, perhaps even read the Bible, and yet so completely miss the mark in their attitudes, values and lifestyles? It is largely because of the worldview disconnect. To the postmodern person, the Bible is simply a collection of time-honored stories that amount to another self-help volume. It is to be read just like any other self-help book: with some skepticism and for personal gain. Post-moderns outright reject the idea of the Bible being an accurate guidebook for life, much less the literal Word of a holy, omnipotent and omniscient God. They do not memorize or apply Scripture because, in their worldview, the Bible has no greater power, virtue or value than books by Stephen King, Jerry Seinfeld or Dr. Seuss.”

“In fact, postmodernism renders Jesus; entire death and resurrection little more than an interesting but obscure story of one individual’s compassion, heroic effort and ultimate demise. Postmodern people view it as a story that offers insight into one person’s challenges and responses, but not as a standard by which our lives are to be shaped or judged. The life of Jesus, in other words, is just another story among the billions of human histories that we might reflect upon and is no more or less meaningful than the stories of James Cassidy, Sheilah Brown, Jose Rodriguez or Choi En Lie –whoever they are.”   Boiling Point, p.77-81.

PART 2: A Lamp - Continued -If you're reading my blog for the first time or have never read my previous posts, I recommend starting at the beginning.

Most of us would agree that, if followers of Christ would read and meditate on words like these on a regular basis, we Christians would live our daily lives as better examples of Christ. ["These" words I am referring to are from Proverbs 3: 7-35, quoted in my previous post.] Our value systems would reflect Christ and would result in a Christian world view rather than a secular world view. Christians would actually behave and love differently than non believers. This is talking about having and using wisdom and understanding that comes from God while, at the same time, acknowledging that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom is knowing Truth and then using it appropriately in given situations. Understanding is knowing Truth and having proper insight that allows one to use it wisely. What a difference it would make in the world if all, or at least more, believers would heed these words in Proverbs! Can we imagine the benefits of diligently teaching God’s principles to our children, starting at the earliest possible age and living the life of faith and godly integrity before them in every arena of our lives? What a difference this would make in most households and the effects would flow as “rivers of living waters” out into the marketplace. Teaching the Word and the value of It, to children, should not be left to the Sunday School teacher alone, for approximately one hour per week. Certainly though, the formal training of Sunday School is of great benefit in reinforcing the teachings of the home. But the day to day teaching and living before them, of the parents especially, and also grandparents, older siblings, extended family and friends, is the way to get the Word and Its practical daily application into the hearts and minds of children. This is the best way to anchor them in Truth and set them up to come into their own faith in Christ that will not only get them to Heaven for eternity, but get them onto the path of God’s glorious plan for each child -- his or her own abundant life.

Speaking of Sunday School, how many Christian parents do not even bother with getting their children to Sunday School on a regular basis these days? There just does not seem to be a high value placed on this systematic exposure and study of God’s Word for the children in the Body of Christ. I am not saying that Sunday School is the only way to reach this goal. Call it what you will ---- any small group interactive, teaching/learning situation that instructs children consistently is what I am talking about. They need a firm foundation that will result from teaching ---- line upon line, precept upon precept ---- the glorious provision of Salvation, the principles of our God and the TRUTHS of God’s Word to will equip them to navigate through our complex world. We do not need to look far to see Satan’s evil devices, wanting to steal, kill and destroy our children and grandchildren.

As we consider the life guiding values gained from God’s Word and Christ’s example, let’s look at some comments regarding evolving Christian values in America, found in the book, Boiling Point, by George Barna and Mark Hatch: “Values are the concepts we embrace that define what is right, worthwhile or desirable in life – in other words, the principles and standards that we choose to live by. Traditionally, societies have stayed true to their values for prolonged periods of time. But these days everything is up for grabs; everything is susceptible to change. The age of unquestioned, predictable and enduring core values is history. Driven by our ongoing search for meaning and fulfillment without having to rely upon God, our core values have been changing with unusual rapidity in the last few decades.” Barna & Hatch, Boiling Point, p. 77.

Barna and Hatch discuss the differing levels of values. Secondary values, they say, we appreciate and would like to experience them, but “can get by without them.” Primary values, such as independence, belonging and happiness are “must have” values, which “describe what is most important to us in life. We will compromise, if need be, on integrating our secondary values into our life situations’ but we typically will go to the mat to defend or incorporate our core values into every last fiber of our life.” Barna & Hatch, Boiling Point, p. 77.

The authors move on to explain the “cornerstone value”: “There is one more level of values of importance to this discussion: the cornerstone value. Just as the Christian faith has a cornerstone belief (i.e., we exist to know, love and serve God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength), or professional sports are based on a cornerstone goal (i.e., winning or being the best), so do Americans develop their lives around a cornerstone value. That is a value on which most of our other values hinge; it is the nucleus that spawns other operational values within us. Perhaps the most fundamental value that drives our lifestyles and decision making is whether or not we believe that absolute moral truth exists. Few perspectives in life have a more significant impact on who we are, how we live and what we believe than our personal conviction about moral truth.”

“The constant retooling of our core values can be largely traced to a seminal shift in our thinking regarding our perspective on truth. In short, most Americans have chosen to reject absolute moral truth in favor of relativism. That single change has opened the door to a wholesale revision of our entire set of values – and the resulting behaviors.”

“This transformation has done more to undermine the health and stability of American society—and, perhaps, of the world – than anything else. It is not a change that happened overnight. The confluence of ‘new thinking’ that swept America in the late ‘60s and early ’70s became a staple of pop culture. The result has been a wholesale revision in people’s thought patterns and behaviors based on the notion that a person is the center of his/her universe and is, therefore, responsible for determining what is right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate, useful and useless, significant and insignificant. In this system, without any grander vision of truth, meaning and value, each person thereby dictates the standards and principles that will rule his/her world, regardless of anyone else’s standards and principles.”
Before continuing this quote from George Barna’s book, I would like to interject a thought here. A phrase from the Bible continually stays in my mind as I read this. It refers to people “doing what is right in their own eyes,” and is found in Deuteronomy 12:8, Judges 21:25, Psalm 12:15 and Proverbs 21:2. A society that has no specific moral code will be made up of individuals who do just that -- “what is right in their own eyes,” resulting in a self focused, sin filled people comprising a culture that will eventually destroy itself from within. Think about that as you read his passages. Look again at Barna’s last two sentences: “The result has been a wholesale revision in people’s thought patterns and behaviors based on the notion that a person is the center of his/her universe and is, therefore, responsible for determining what is right and wrong, appropriate and inappropriate, useful and useless, significant and insignificant. In this system, without any grander vision of truth, meaning and value, each person thereby dictates the standards and principles that will rule his/her world, regardless of anyone else’s standards and principles.” In other words, this is an entire society of people who “do what is right in their own eyes.” We need to pray! ---Yes, right now!
[In my next post, I will continue quoting from Barna's book regarding the unfortunate shifting of our cultural value systems.]

Part 2: A LAMP - Continued -

Let’s continue with Paul’s instructions to young Timothy: “Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness – all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word and deed. [And aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace – which is harmony and concord with others – in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. But refuse – shut your mind against, have nothing to do with trifling (ill-informed, unedifying, stupid) controversies over ignorant questionings, for you know that they foster strife and breed quarrels. And the servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome – fighting and contending. Instead he must be kindly to every one and mild-tempered – preserving the bond of peace; he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong. He must correct his opponents with courtesy and gentleness, in the hope that God may grant that they will repent and come to know the Truth – that is, that they will perceive and recognize and become accurately acquainted with and acknowledge it, And that they may come to their senses [and] escape out of the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him, [henceforth] to do His [God’s] will.” II Timothy 2: 22-26, Amplified.

This same passage in God’s Word for the Nations, goes like this: “Stay away from lusts which tempt young people. Pursue what has God's approval. Pursue faith, love, and peace together with those who worship the Lord with a pure heart. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments. You know they cause quarrels. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel. Instead, he must be kind to everyone. He must be a good teacher. He must be willing to suffer wrong. He must be gentle in correcting those who oppose the Good News. Maybe God will allow them to change the way they think and act and lead them to know the truth. Then they might come back to their senses and God will free them from the devil's snare so that they can do his will.” II Timothy 2:22-26.

In writing this epistle to Timothy, Paul was keenly aware that Timothy needed to study and know God’s Word in order to minister to others and to stand firm against unrighteous temptations and behaviors. It was imperative that Timothy have this divine illumination guiding his personal life and his ministry. He needed to teach these same principles to others and set a good example, even as a young man. Paul instructs Timothy in effective servant leadership, knowing that this is the example set by Christ, Himself. Several times, Paul refers to knowing and doing God’s will and the key to revelation knowledge of God’s will, of course, is knowledge of the Truth of God’s Word. In verse 25 Paul says, “so that they may know the truth.” So here we see it again, the Truth is found in the Word of God and knowledge of God’s Word will help us stay on God’s righteous path, illuminating the way, helping us recognize and avoid the snare of the devil. As I said before he, (the devil), has a plan, or we may call it a plot, for our lives. But following the ways of our Lord, as clearly defined in His Word, will help us avoid his snares and even captivity.

In the Bible, there are many terms used to refer to God’s Word, such as “precepts,” and “statutes.” One of the most common is “law,” the Jewish name for Pentateuch, which consists of the first five books of the Old Testament. “Law/s” appears 318 times in the Old Testament and 219 times in the New Testament.

The word “law” is found many times in Proverbs, the “Book of Wisdom.” That is because wisdom from God is imbedded in His Word. Proverbs 3 is a good illustration of the value, wisdom and benefits of allowing the Law to direct one’s path.

This passage begins, “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to your life.” Proverbs 3:1. One may say, “This appears to be a father speaking to his son about the house hold rules.” Well, it is more than just a man’s rules as this proverb uses a common literary approach. The commentary for this verse, given in the Spirit Filled Life Bible, helps to clarify: “The Law (Torah), the Jewish Pentateuch, and meaning basically ‘teaching,’ is the foundation of righteousness. The expression “my law,” assuming it is still the parent speaking, implies the more personal principles of the house hold -- close to those of God, but with detailed application.”

Already, in verse one we see a father figure extolling the value of remembering and keeping these statutes, bringing the resulting benefits: “length of days and long life, and peace.” He continues: “Let not mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, and so find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3: 2-6. The writer goes on for many more verses declaring the value of righteous living and the rewards that come as a result. See the invaluable benefits of walking on the righteous path that is directed by godly precepts: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones. Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. Happy is the man who finds wisdom. And the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who retain her. The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the depths were broken up, and clouds drop down the dew.”
“My son, let them not depart from your eyes -- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; so they will be life to your soul and grace to your neck. Then you will walk safely in your way, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror, nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,’ when you have it with you. Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he dwells by you for safety’s sake. Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.”
“Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways; for the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, but His secret counsel is with the upright. The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the just. Surely He scorns the scornful, but gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the legacy of fools.” Proverbs 3: 7-35 NKJV