The Lord's Flashlight

Psalm 19:8b-9 The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

One of the most common descriptions given of scripture is that of "light", "shedding light" or "enlightenment".  In the verses above, we see three more descriptions of the Bible in Psalm 19.  All of them explain what scripture does in leading a person to the goal of Godly Living. 

1. The Lord's flashlight is pure commandments enlightening the eyes
What is the only way you can see the value of Godly living?  Through the scriptures.  Psalm 119:9 describes how can a young man keep his way pure, by paying cloose attention to the word of God.  Not only does the Bible give me "sight" to follow God, but "insight" to follow God all the more.  If I were to direct you to a dark cave with a sign marked: "cave of diamonds", you may venture in, but then have skepticism about whether or not its worth it.  However if I hand you a flashlight, as soon as you shine the light, the diamonds shimmer and shine.  It then won't take any amount of coercion to get you into the "cave of diamonds".  Thats what the Bible does for the Christian - both new convert and "saved for years" believer.  The Bible shows us that value and worth of living the Christian life. 

2. As the Lord's flashlight, The Scriptures bring to us the fear of the Lord, and will endure forever
The fear of the Lord describes what it means to hate sin, to reverence God and to make fellowship with Him your highest priority.  Only the scriptures can "shine light" on that truth and make it the desire of your heart.  Scripture's light exposes the flippancy that can attend our Christian walk in the areas of worship and daily life. 

As the Lord's flashlight, this quality of making me desire God more than sin & desire His Glory above anything else is an unending resource for the Christian.  Unlike a flashlight whose batteries wear out, I can always turn to the scriptures to cultivate a healthy "fear of God" - for they endure forever. (1 Peter 1:25)  The Scriptures accurately show me who God really is, and why it is I not only must reverence Him, but why loving Him is the greatest thing you can do.

3. The Lord's flashlight are judgements which are true and righteous altogether
Truth has to do with the reality of things, and righteousness has to do with right living for God.  Does truth and righteousness rank on your priority list?  If not, let the Lord's flashlight shine into your heart to show you how they are to be prized in your daily life.  A Christian life is marked by the desire for God's truth and holiness. (Romans 7:22; 2 Peter 1:3-4)  By turning to the Lord's flashlight, the scriptures, you can cultivate the desire for truth and righteousness - for the scriptures themselves are by their very nature those very things!

Making your have to's into want to's

Psalm 19:8a The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart

For the past couple of days we have been exploring the descriptions given of the Bible in Psalm 19.  Today we will be looking at a word that you may not see often - "precepts".  When the Bible is described as "precepts", the Lord is concerned in explaining the Bible's quality of telling us "how you ought to live in light of the Lord's will".  Precepts then spell out how you and I ought to live.  

Duty and Delight in the Christian life - not opponents, but friends
Do you ever find conflict between what you know you ought to do - duty, and what you really want to do - delight? For instance, Christians know they "ought" to go to church, they "ought" or "should" give 10% of their income, they "ought" or "should" be sharing their faith without shame rather than trying to "fit-in" with the crowd.  Why is it so hard to live the Christian life?

Because the things that we ought to do conflict with what this world, and at times even ourselves, desire to do.  Some Christians will try to resolve this conflict by being all about "duty".  They'll put a stiff upper lip on their face and "try harder" to love God.  Why?  It's your duty.

Others will say - no, Christianity should only be about what makes you happy.  Isn't God concerned about your joy as well as holiness?  In these types of situations, it appears that what we "ought to do" and "what I want to do" can never meet and be the same.  Which is why the Psalmist writes what he writes above.  It is only through the scriptures that my duty toward God and my delight in God can be one and the same.  You have the ability given to you at salvation to desire God.  Knowing God and Jesus Christ whom He sent is the purest definition of what it means to have Eternal Life. (John 17:3)


Only in the scriptures can my "have-to's" be made into "want to's"
This is why we have the precepts of God.  The Bible has this inherent quality of making your "have to's" into "want to's".  How many of you reading this blog have a hard time memorizing scriptures?  Many will say: "I can't do it" or "I just don't have the time".  Have you ever thought of first praying about it?  Take Psalm 19:7-14 and begin memorizing it one verse a week.  According to the verse above, as you expose yourself to the Lord's precepts, you'll being to "delight" in the word of God. 

What was formerly a "have to" now becomes "a want to".  Only by the scriptures can your spiritual life and hunger for God grow.  1 Peter 2:2 states - "like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation".  God never said you could live the Christian life.  All He said was that in you and through you He desires to live it through you so that you can live it for Him. (Galatians 2:20). 


 

The life giving power of God's word

Psalm 19:7a The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul;

Today's description in Psalm 19 describes the Bible as "The Law of the Lord".  That word for "law" in the text is the Hebrew word "Torah".  When the Psalmist describes the "Law of the Lord" as "Torah", He is referring to the ability the scripture has to guide and lead one to spiritual and moral change.  Scripture makes you less "self-centered" and more "God-centered".   

Now as God's law or Torah, scripture is revealed with other qualities that lend to its description here as "The guiding reference point" or "Torah" or "Law of the Lord":

1. The Law of the Lord is Perfect.  This means that there is not one area, word or syllable that contains nor can lead anyone to error.  The scriptures by their very character are without error.  This is one of the strongest statements in the Bible concerning its quality as being without error (what Bible teachers call "inerrancy"). 

2. The Law of the Lord restores.  As the perfect book, the scriptures function to "restore" or "convert" the soul.  The word here for "restore" means to literally "bring about a turn around".  Perhaps you reading this blog today are needing a "major turn around" in your life.  Scripture has that inherent quality.  Romans 10:17 tells us that by the hearing of scripture faith comes.  

3. The Law of the Lord works in the soul.  What is the soul?  You as a person are made up of three basic areas: body, soul and spirit.  Your human spirit is the innermost part of you, what we sometimes call the "heart" or the "inward man". (Matthew 22:37-39; Colossians 3:15-16)  The human spirit is where salvation and conversion takes place.  It is where the Holy Spirit comes and lives at salvation.  The spirit is your center of "God awareness". 

The Body is of course that physical part, composed of the five senses and is the center of "world awareness".  Your soul is the true you.  You don't merely have a soul, you are a soul, composed of mind, emotions and will.  The soul interracts between your spirit and the body.  Think of your "spirit" being clothed by you (your soul), with your soul (you) in turn being clothed by your body. 

The Scriptures function to bring your soul (mind, emotions, will) into allignment with what God the Holy Spirit is already doing in your spirit.  When you take in or memorize the scripture by the thinker of your soul - "the mind", the emotions follow along and before you know it, your decider of the soul - "the will", chooses to do what God says.  Without scripture, no spiritual life nor desire to live for God can begin nor be maintained. (1 Peter 1:23)  That is the life giving power of God's word. 

God's Golden Honey

Psalm 19:10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb

Yesterday we looked at this verse and discovered why the Bible is much more desireable than much fine gold and why it is much more desireable than an I-phone.  Today we are going to look at the second part of Psalm 19:10 and see why the Bible is more desireable than pure honey.  Psalm 19:10 is the heart of Psalm 19:7-14.  I pray that your desire for God's word is increasing as we look more into this precious set of verses in His Word.

The Bible is more desireable than the drippings of the honey comb

I'll never forget the first time I tasted fresh honey! It was way different than the honey you buy in the store. It had a sweetness and desireability to it that store bought honey does not possess. I could go into detail trying to describe the taste, smell and look of that honey - but in order for you to appreciate it - you would have to actually sample some!



David would had been familiar with honey. He had been a shepherd before he was chosen as Israel's King. It was common in Israel to run across honey bees in the course of shepherding flocks. Just like the gold illustration, honey is shown in its natural state and then in its final state. People will risk getting bee-stings for a few ounces of the "golden stuff". Once it is gathered, it can be used in baking and for the enjoyment of eating.



Have you desired the scriptures? Have you experienced them first hand in your life? Will you risk a few "bee-stings" of inconvenience to extract the honey of the Bible's words? Do you find their message, their power and their beauty as desireable as honey and butter put on a fresh piece of homemade bread?



Don't be a window shopper nor an admirer of scripture, wear it and partake of it

Don't let your experience of the Bible be second hand. Anyone can admire golden jewelery in a window, but to go into the store and purchase a precious ring for the sake of wearing it is quite another level. My wife to this day still looks at the ring I bought her years ago.



Likewise anyone can look at a cake in a bakery window. But why look at it, or just hear about it, when you can go a eat it! The Bible is God's Golden Honey. It is meant to be "worn", not just admired. Have it adorn your heart, and your life. Take in the Bible through memorizing it, don't just let it sit on a shelf like a jar of unopened honey. Desire and take in God's Golden Honey - His precious word.

Something more precious than gold & an I-Phone

Psalm 19:10a They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold...."

The scriptures should be of supreme value to the Christian life
Today's blog is about the value and importance of God's word.  Psalm 19:10a compares the Bible to a substance that is considered most desireable: Gold.  To capture the thrust of this verse, I want to illustrate using another desired object - the I-phone.  My prayer is that this blog will ignite in you a greater desire for the scriptures that are supremely valuable to the Christian life. 

The Bible is more desireable than much fine gold
In this Divinely inspired comparison, the Psalmist (King David) is having you view gold in its rough state, and then in its finished state.  Men will spend fortunes on equipment and expeditions to climb mountains or dig into the earth to mine a few ounces of gold from tons of rock.  I've been told that even the oceans have trace amounts of gold.  It would literally take tons of sea water to yield even a small portion of an ounce of this precious metal. 

Once the gold has been found, a goldsmith has to heat up the gold to melt it down and get rid of the unwanted "junk" or "impurities" to seek the desireable "pure and refined" gold necessary for making jewelry.  This is where the gold that was mined becomes the "much fine gold" spoken of here in Psalm 19.  I'm certain King David would had seen a lot of "fine gold" in his day!

How much effort do you and I take in "mining" God's word for the treasures He has waiting for you in His word.  Studying the Bible takes work!  But its rewards far exceed the work put into it.  1 Corinthians 2:12 states -  "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God".


The Bible is more desireable than a much fine "I-phone"
In our 21st century world, the object of desire is an "I-phone" or an "I-pad".  Perhaps you reading this blog are right now using such a device or some other type of electronic media.  Whatever the case may be -people treat these devices much like "the fine gold" we read of here in Psalm 19:10a.  Let me ask you this question: would you leave your I-phone or I-pad at church? How about in your hot car? Do you find excuses for not using your I-phone or other electronic device?

I believe if we treated our Bibles like these desireable devices - it would be an all out revival!  Your Bible should not be something you look at on Sunday for a couple of minutes while the preacher is preaching or when your Sunday School teacher is teaching - it should be in your hand, in your mind and in your heart. 

See how desireable your Bible is by the many "apps" it offers
Desire the One book through which God gives you many "apps" (applications for life and eternity): The Christian growth app is found in 1 Peter 2:1-2.  Are your fearful or worried - there's an app for that - 1 Peter 5:7.  Are you angry at the world or struggling with bitterness - check out the apps for that at Ephesians 4:31-32 and Philippians 4:6-7.  Perhaps you don't know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and would like to.  The app for that is in Romans 10:8-10.  Are you wanting to have a deeper love for Jesus Christ? Check out that app at 1 Peter 1:8.  There are over 31,000 apps (verses) in the Bible.   

Truly the Bible is more desireable than fine gold and is of greater value than any I-phone.  Start using it today! 

Two types of Revelation

Psalm 19:1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

Psalm 19:10 (Concerning the Scriptures) They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 19 is one of the richest chapters in the Bible.  It is from Psalm 19 that we learn of the two ways in which God reveals His Person and Work: General Revelation and Special Revelation.

What is General Revelation?
Psalm 19:1-6 gives us the breakdown of what theologians commonly refer to as "General Revelation".  It is "general" due to the fact that everyone can access it by observation and human reason.  Also, this type of Revelation is "General" because it is more "broad" in its message about God the Creator and mankind's responsibility to Him.  Here in Psalm 19:1-6 we see the astronomical movements of the stars by night and the sun by day as "witnesses" to humanity of their origin coming from the One, Eternal, Creator God.  Romans 2:15 tells us that all human beings have an internal witness, the conscience, upon which the "law of God" is written, revealing mankind's moral obligation to the Creator. 

What General Revelation tells human beings
General Revelation does communicate certain truths about God Himself - hence it being a form of "revelation".  According to Romans 1:18-21 - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." We learn from General Revelation:
1. God hates sin.  All men to one degree or another are aware that they are morally responsible to God.  Thus our universe is not just a physical universe, but also a moral one. 
2. God is the all powerful Creator.  He is One God who made all things visible and invisible.  All human beings have this testimony inside, with the heavens above and the earth all around confirming such truth.
3. God's nature is without end. God is Eternal, totally unique and different from His creation.

General revelation tells everyone that they are responsible to The Creator - however as you read on into passages such as Romans 1, you discover that sinful humanity has rejected this "lesser light" given by God and has exchanged its truth for a lie of their own making. (Romans 1:23)  General Revelation does not reveal God the Redeemer, only God the Creator - thus the reason for the second type of revelation spoken of in Psalm 19 - "Special Revelation."

What is Special Revelation?
Psalm 19:7-14 details what theologians refer to as "Special revelation".  Unlike "General Revelation" which is accessible to anyone through reason and observation, "Special Revelation's" meaning requires God's Saving Grace to show the value and personal applicability to the person. (2 Timothy 3:15; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23) Another difference between General and Special Revelation is that while General Revelation is found everywhere, Special Revelation is found in very "specific" (hence the term "special") place - the Bible.  A third major difference is that in General Revelation, I discover The Creator before Whom I guilty; whereas in Special Revelation I am shown the Savior and Lord that acquits me of such guilt by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)  In short, Special Revelation through the scriptures by the Spirit's convicting work is what leads to salvation. 

What Special Revelation tells human beings
In Special Revelation, the Bible, I discover this Creator to be the Savior who went to great lengths to bring about salvation. It is by the Special Revelation of scripture that this same God calls and convicts me to come and believe on His Son, Jesus Christ, whom He sent to die and rise in my place. (John 3:16; 16:7-16; 17:3; 2 Timothy 3:15)

How General Revelation and Special Revelation relate to one another
Though both types of revelation are distinct in both their form and content, yet they both relate to one another.  The fact that Psalm 19 has both in one Psalm tells us that God ordained us to understand their purpose.  Special Revelation is necessary to specify the direction in which General Revelation is pointing.  General Revelation is a "lesser light", meaning that I understand just enough about God to be without excuse, yet it does not lead me to a saving knowledge of Him.  Special Revelation is the "greater light", meaning that by it God gives me the full understanding of salvation. (Hebrews 1:1-4) 

If a group of people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ respond favorably to the "lesser light" of General Revelation, and turn away from idolatry, God pledges that He will send them a missionary or preacher who will communicate the "fuller light" of Special Revelation.  (Joshua 2; Acts 17:24-34)  The Holy Spirit will then work through the preaching of God's Word to convince those people to trust in Jesus Christ, since faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. (Romans 10:8-17) 

How Biblical Principles Answer the question: Is it o.k for Christians to engage in recreational drinking?

Ephesians 5:18 "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit."

Introduction:
An area of great debate in the Christian world is on the matter of whether or not it is o.k. for Christians to drink alcohol.  Some will say that it is flat out wrong in all situations, while others will advocate so-called "social drinking" or what I'm calling in this post - "recreational alcohol consumption". 

I'm convinced that if we consistently apply the principles of God's word from passages like Romans 14, only one clear answer will emerge on this issue of recreational alcohol consumption and the Christian.  The above text is a command to not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation (that is, it leads to excesses in one's behavior).  Rather we are to be filled, or "under the influence" of the Spirit. 

So our question is: Is it good for Christians to drink alcohol in any amount?

Principle #1 The Lordship Principle: Will recreational drinking enable me to follow the Lord consistently in obedience?  How much alcohol does it take to impair judgment, compromise moral integrity and cloud human thinking?  As soon as one takes that first drink, the effects begin immediately.  Following Jesus Christ with a sound or sober mind is emphasized repeatedly throughout scripture. (Matthew 22:37-39; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Hebrews 12:1-2) Even a little bit of "under the influence" makes me attempt to "serve two masters" - something which Jesus says can't be done. (Matthew 6:24)  Proverbs 20:1 warns - "Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise."  As Ephesians 5:18 reveals, a Christian should be "under the influence" or filled with the Holy Spirit.

Principle #2 Loving your brother principle: Will such a practice lead me to express selflessness in my dealings with others or love others above myself?  If I have alcohol, and offer it to a friend, am I really looking out for their best interest?  Habakkuk 2:15 denounces any effort in inviting my neighbor or someone that I'm supposed to care about to come and drink alcohol.  Or if I am drinking it in my own home, over time, will I be able to love others selflessly? Proverbs 23:32 warns - "At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper."  If there is even a small doubt, then that is a sign not to do it. 

Principle #3 Spirit-led Principle: Will drinking alcohol enable me to be Spirit-led or will it result in becoming self led?  This particular principle is the focus of Ephesians 5:18.  People typically drink for the purpose of achieving peace, escaping the stresses of life or "coping" with life.  But the problem is, once the alcohol has worn off, you're left with a hangover or at least a sense of feeling the pain of reality.  Paul then uses the "filling" or "under the influence of the Holy Spirit" to show how the Spirit of God can give you abiding peace, enable you to deal with stress and more than cope with life - and not have a hang-over!  Frankly, any amount of recreational use tells me that I am looking to a can, or a glass, or a bottle, rather than the Holy Spirit, to grant me peace and strength. 

Principle #4 Building up principle: Will drinking alcohol enable me to build up others and God's work, or will it lead to a tearing down?  At least six places in Proverbs, the book of Wisdom, warns about the dangers and long-term destructive effects of alcohol consumption. (Proverbs 20:1; 23:20, 29, 30, 32; 31:4)  When Noah had gotten off the Ark, his experimentation with alcohol led to disastrous results.  (Genesis 9:18-24) It shocks me how Christian leaders will actually promote "social drinking" and "recreational use of alcohol" in the name of Christian freedom. It seems no consideration is given to how it so-often "tears down" the lives of others and hinders the work of God's kingdom.  Statistics tell us for every dollar spent on alcohol in a given community, between seven to eight dollars is spent in law enforcement's efforts to control the consequences brought about by its use and abuse.  As Paul says in Ephesians 5:18 - "it leads to excess". 

Principle#5 The Faith Principle: Will drinking alcohol lead to a strengthening of faith or a harming of it?  Can it truly be said that drinking of alcohol in any amount is only for the advancement of God's kingdom and Christian faith?  Studying God's Word, regular attendance with God's people and prayer are the chief means of grace ordained by God to strengthen faith. (1 Peter 2:1-2; Hebrews 3:12-13; 10:24-25; Luke 11)  I have yet to see one example of where the strengthening of one's faith can be directly linked to alcohol.  Overwhelmingly alcohol is shown to be more detrimental than helpful.  As the context of Ephesians 5:18 demonstrates, being led by the Spirit is under the assumption that one desires to be strengthened in their faith. (Jude 20-21) 

Closing thoughts:
By sifting this question of a Christian's consumption of alcohol through the five principles that we have studied in Romans 14, it is clear that one cannot truly justify the practice of recreational drinking while holding to even one of the above principles, let alone all five. Working through principles in tandem effectively helps people arrive at the conclusion on their own. Certainly God governs our moral decisions by clear commands. Yet, there is this second method of working through an issue by way of principles that proves equally effective.