THE INFLEXIBLE WORD

THE INFLEXIBLE WORD!

2 Tim 3:16-17

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Matt 5:17-18

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

           Stubbornness and inflexibility have fallen out of favor with modern thought. The great mantra of our culture is tolerance for divergent thought. But Jesus describes the Bible as very inflexible.

           A jot is the Greek letter iota which is the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet and Jesus used it to describe the dot above the “I” or the period at the end of a sentence. The tittle is the Greek keraia and refers to “something horn-like.” Jesus used it to refer to the accent marks which served for vowels that in the Hebrew language. “It is the same as saying everything else may change; the very earth and heaven may pass away, but the law of God shall not be destroyed until its whole design has been accomplished.”(from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

           Because we don’t speak either Hebrew or Greek, the originally written Bible has been translated into many languages. I suspect that both jots and tittles have been changed in the process but the force of and the truth of the written Bible remains inflexible in its teachings. Right has not suddenly become wrong and wrong has not gradually become acceptable because of enlightened human culture and thought.

           The Bible must remain rigid because it is the pier and beam upon which our entire faith is founded. It is not our position but our disposition that must remain tender and flexible.

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Dear Lord, let me be inflexible when teaching Bible truths but tender toward those who are enslaved by sin. AMEN

PURSUE HOLINESS

PURSUE HOLINESS!

Heb 12:14-17

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

           The word holiness is from two Greek words, ho hagiosmos. The first little word is a definite article and is equivalent to our word “the.” The other word is literally “purifier.” Once we learn the meaning of the words we can read it this way: follow the purifier. Now I see that I am not being commanded to produce holiness but to follow the one who is able to make me holy.

           A holy life is no accident. We do not carelessly or casually stumble upon holiness. We pursue it as a goal! Following peace with all men, and holiness, is intentional. This means that we make the pursuit of holiness a conscious aspiration. It requires diligence to run the race successfully lest we "fail of the grace of God" (Heb 12:15). God's grace does not fail, but we can fail to take advantage of His grace.

Esau certainly failed to act on God's grace. The account is given in Gen 25:27-34; 27:30-45. Esau was "a profane person," which means "a common person, one who lives for the world and not God." (Our English word literally means "outside the temple," or not belonging to God.) Esau despised his birthright and sold it to Jacob, and he missed the blessing because it was given to Jacob. Afterward, Esau tried to get Isaac to change his mind, but it was too late. Even Esau's tears availed nothing. (Warren Wiersbe)

The lives of individual Christians; even the worship of modern churches; have become more common than holy. Common pursuits give rise to common themes and produce only common results. Because personal holiness is a product of gradual development, the Bible is always encouraging us to be holy.

Eph 4:22-24

22 … put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

I Lay My Sins On Jesus

I lay my sins on Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God;
He bears them all, and frees us from the accursed load;
I bring my guilt to Jesus, to wash my crimson stains
White in His blood most precious, till not a stain remains.

Holy God, I am not holy! Please make me so by Thy grace. AMEN

MAJOR LEAGUE MINISTRY

MAJOR LEAGUE MINISTRY!

Isa 42:5-9

5 Thus saith God the Lord , he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein:

6 I the Lord  have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;

7 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

8 I am the Lord: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

9 Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.

           I know, of course, that this section refers to the ministry of the Lord Jesus but I would like to apply it to those who serve God this morning. Please remember that God is in control of every circumstance of your life.

           Have you ever sensed that God was making a quantum shift in your life? Do you feel that things are changing and wonder if you are ready for what is ahead? Have you prayed for movement and advancement and now that it has come do you tremble at the prospect? You feel as if the Lord is about to move you from the minor leagues to the major leagues.

           These devotionals go out to hundreds in various ways and I do not know exactly which reader this one is intended for but I feel that someone reading this today is in that exact position. You have waited, sometimes impatiently, and now your time has come. Follow hard on the heels of the Master today and he will take you to new places.

Prov 4:7-8

7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

8 Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.