LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Kings 2:2-3, “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you turn; …”

 

There will probably be no blog tomorrow as I have an early appointment to have a cataract removed.

 

David is dying and the words of a dying man are significant. Perhaps these words are words of instruction a dad should say to his son(s) or daughter(s) as they begin on their journey as an adult. It is the responsibility of Christian parents to teach and show what walking with Jesus Christ means and it is their choice what they do with what they have been taught. As Christians, we are no longer bound by the statutes and ordinances of the Law of Moses; because Jesus took our place on a cross, we are under grace. However, we are to live a life that is described in the New Testament. Our conduct, behavior, attitude, and motives are important if we are to walk in a manner that represents Jesus Christ and His kingdom. If we live to honor Jesus Christ and bring glory to Him, we will prosper in all we do.

 

Sounds easy enough; walk the narrow way into eternity! However, the reality adds that the narrow way is a difficult way. Christians are told to stand strong, stand firm in the faith, let all you do be done in love! Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us, “Watch, stand firm in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all you do be done with love.” Paul writes to Timothy in his first letter (6:11-12), “But you, O man of God, flee these things (Read 1 Timothy 6:1-10) and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold of eternal life to which you were called and confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Is this not the description of what godly man or woman of God needs to be today. Is this not what godly people are to be following after, the qualities we are to strive for.

 

Yet, temptations, jealousies, lack of forgiveness, unable to forget wrongs committed, are dangers along the narrow way. There is danger in these things. Be careful you do not stumble and you do not honor or bring glory to the Lord regarding your words and your actions. Your conduct, your words are important. Once spoken, once written, once the action is done, it cannot be taken back.

 

It seems to me to be the person David told Solomon to be or that Paul described is to make sure we are walking as close to God and His Word as possible. We do that by allowing Him to cleanse our hearts with His blood daily. Luke 6:45 tells each of us, “For out of the abundance of our heart his mouth speaks.” Isn’t this especially true in times of stress and difficulty; in those unguarded moments a great deal can be shown about one’s spiritual life. It is best for each of us to guard our heart in order to be the man or woman of God He desires us to be.