Why responding to God quickly is so important

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Isaiah 54:1–57:14 
Ephesians 6:1-24 
Psalm 70:1-5 
Proverbs 24:8

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV) "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The second part of our Verses for Today is wonderful, isn't it? We are told that we can turn away from sin and back to the Lord and He will completely forgive us. Further, we are told that the Lord will do so because He is compassionate - He really cares for us!

But, the first part of our Verses for Today should cause us to sit up and pay attention.

"Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;" (Isaiah 55:6)

Friend, this verse clearly tells us that there is a limited time in which we can return to the Lord. There is only a certain amount of time in which "he may be found" "while he is near."

Clearly, from this verse (and others that say the same thing), we realize that there may be times when we cannot return to the Lord.

Sometimes, folks say "no" to the Lord so many times that their heart becomes calloused to Him. They have completely shut down the Spirit's work in their life (1 Thessalonians 5:19). So, they will no longer feel a desire to return to the Lord.

Sometimes, folks grow into old age and dementia sets in. They can no longer return to the Lord because their mind is no longer cooperating.

Sometimes, folks can get so locked into a sin that to get out would be so painful and the consequences so dire that they are essentially entrenched in that lifestyle.

Friend, if you are in sin and God is calling you back into a love relationship with Him, then repent and return today. Right now! Because there may come a time when repentance is no longer an option.

To be sure, your salvation is not on the line. If you are one of God's children because you have put your faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, then you are Heaven-bound. But, your life will have little to show for it and there will be far few rewards to receive on the day of judgment if you live apart from Him. But, even greater still, you will have foregone the ability to enjoy your God while you are on this earth.

So, repent and return, friend, while God is calling. Don't wait. Do it now.

Happiness in doing the hard thing

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Nehemiah 3:15–5:13 
1 Corinthians 7:25-40 
Psalm 32:1-11 
Proverbs 21:5-7

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 32:1-2 (CSB) "How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 32 is a ruggedly transparent Psalm. And because this is the case, it is incredibly beneficial to us!

Verses 1 and 2 (our Verses for Today) talk about the happiness that is to be enjoyed by someone who is forgiven. The clear implication is that a grievous sin has been committed.

When we read verses 3-5, we hear words filled with emotion. The Psalmist informs us of what it is like to live with unconfessed, unresolved sin. He knows that what he has done is wrong but he hasn't yet made it right. And it is eating him up on the inside. He is guilt ridden. His conscience is lighting up the dashboard of his heart and mind warning him that the problem needs to be remedied.

Verse 5, however, tells us how it was resolved. "Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and did not conceal my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,' and you forgave the guilt of my sin."

It has been said, "Confession is good for the soul."

We know this all too well. We understand what it is like to wrestle with the pangs of guilt. We also know what it is like for the weight to be lifted when we confess our sin.

Once again, we realize that God's ways are best. When He tells us not to disobey His commands, it is for our own good. And when He calls us to confess our wrongdoing to make it right (1 John 1:9), it is also for our good.

So, friend, is there anything that you need to make right with God? With someone else? Why not commit today to resolve that issue so that you can join in with the Psalmist as you get your joy back...

"Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart." (Psalm 32:11)

When our worship is displeasing to God

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Ezra 10:1-44 
1 Corinthians 6:1-20 
Psalm 31:9-18 
Proverbs 21:3

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 21:3 (CSB) "Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The Old Testament is filled with accounts of animal sacrifices. It's appalling and it should rightfully be so. It was never intended to be a thing of beauty. It was always intended to remind the worshiper of how serious their sin was in God's eyes and that their sin required a death sentence. Yet, it also reminded them that a gracious God made it possible for a substitute to die in the place of the sinful worshiper.

When Jesus, the ultimate and final sacrificial Lamb (John 1:29), came and died for sin once for all, "there is no longer a need for sacrifice" (Hebrews 10:18). In fact, God was so determined to end animal sacrifices that He had the Romans destroy the Jewish temple in A.D. 70.

Yet, when Solomon penned Proverbs 21:3, the practice of slaughtering animals was essential to Jewish life.

"Doing what is righteous and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice." (Proverbs 21:3)

However, did you notice that the LORD places a higher priority on something other than sacrifices? What did He value more? "Doing what is righteous and just."

Essential, Solomon was saying that God values the act of worship (OT sacrifice). Yet, He values much more the act of pursuing holiness (being set apart for Him by complying with His words).

This wasn't the only time God said this. In 1 Samuel, 15:22, God spoke through His prophet Samuel to a sinful King Saul:

"Then Samuel said: 'Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? Look: to obey is better than sacrifice, to pay attention is better than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22)

Again, while God values the act of worship (OT sacrifices), He much more values the actions of obedience and holiness (being set apart for Him).

So, let's end by fast-forwarding to the New Testament in which we live. The principle is the same: God values a life of obedience and holiness much more than our acts of worship.

In fact, if we show up for worship and are going through the motions but realize that there is unconfessed, unresolved sin in our hearts, then we are to immediately stop worshiping, work to resolve the sin situation, and only then can we come back to worship. Otherwise, our worship is utterly distasteful to the Lord.

"So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)

Friend, God wants you and me to worship Him. He desires that people would worship Him (John 4:23). Yet, our worship is utterly abhorrent to Him if we have unresolved sin in our hearts. 

So, determine to make things right with Him today. And then, offer up your worship to the God you serve and love.

Taking a Spiritual Bath

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Chronicles 14:1–16:14 
Romans 9:1-24 
Psalm 19:1-14 
Proverbs 20:1

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 19:12-14 (CSB)

12 "Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults." 

13 "Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion." 

14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

The Christian life is one of compliance and of joy. 

It is compliance because God has made His standard clear and we are called to obey.

It is joy because we realize that as we obey our Lord, our consciences will be clear and we are free to enjoy fellowship with our God.

But, sin stands in the way. There is a hidden part of us that wars against us. It's called "the flesh." And it regularly calls us to stray from the path of holiness that God has called us to walk upon.

So, it must also be the regularly duty of the serious Jesus-follower to take a spiritual bath. We need to get cleaned up after we sin and so confession and repentance are necessary.

Our Verses for Today lead us in that discipline. In fact, they provide us with the words of a prayer that we could offer up regularly.

First, our spiritual cleansing begins with an acknowledgement that we have probably committed sins without even knowing it. Maybe we are unaware of some command God has given or we weren't paying attention to what we did. So, we ask for forgiveness for our unintended sins:

Psalm 19:12 "Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults."

Second, we acknowledge that there are certainly things we have done (or left undone) that violated God's commands. Or, maybe we did a good thing but with the wrong motive or attitude. So, we confess these sins specifically and ask that God would keep us from doing them in the future. 

Psalm 19:13 "Moreover, keep your servant from willful sins; do not let them rule me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed from blatant rebellion." 

Finally, we ask that the Lord would give us what we need to not only comply with God's commands with our actions, but also with our words and the private thoughts of our heart. We don't just ask for forgiveness - we crave to live in holiness.

Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer."

So, the question remains, friend: Are you serious about following Jesus? Have you genuinely given your life, all of it, to Him and is it your desire to live for him in the moments of your days?

Then, you've got to take daily, spiritual baths. Consider using Psalm 19:12-14 to do that.

Living in victory

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Chronicles 6:12–8:10 
Romans 7:14–8:8 
Psalm 18:1-15 
Proverbs 19:24-25

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

2 Chronicles 7:12-14 (CSB) "Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple of sacrifice. If I shut the sky so there is no rain, or if I command the grasshopper to consume the land, or if I send pestilence on my people, and my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Recently, my family served in a mission project in Denver, Colorado. After our work was done, we headed over the Rocky Mountains into Utah. As we made that trip, it was obvious that there wasn't simply one mountaintop but many of them.

Reading God's Word is like that. Every passage moves us upward like a trip through a mountain range. 

Yet, there are some places in Scripture that are mountain peaks. They would seem to take us a little higher than others.

Second Chronicles 7 and Romans 8 are two very, very high mountain peaks. 

In 2 Chronicles 7:12-14, we read of what God told the Israelites to do when they fell into sin and out of favor with Him. They were to humbly acknowledge their failure, to reach out to God in repentant prayer, to seek God's face and favor once again, and resolutely turn from their sin and sinfulness. At that point, God would renew fellowship with them.

In Romans 8, we read of the Spirit-filled life. We read of the victory that is ours to be had if we will only comply with God's principles of Spirit-filled living.

Rather than go into a major discussion about the Spirit-filled life, I would simply encourage you to spend time at the feet of Jesus today reading and then re-reading Romans 8.

As we have passed the half-way point in our Through the Bible in a Year journey, I hope that you are enjoying this trip through the mountains.

Returning to holiness

DAILY BIBLE READING:

2 Kings 1:1–2:25 
Acts 13:42–14:7 
Psalm 139:1-24 
Proverbs 17:19-21

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 139:23-24 (CSB) "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Psalm 139 is a wonderful Psalm for quite a few reasons. Let me share two.

First, there are three "omni's" that speak of God's immensity:

Omniscient = God knows all things completely.
Omnipresent = God is completely everywhere at all times.
Omnipotent = God can do anything God wants to do.

So, when we look at the structure of Psalm 139, we realize that it can easily be divided into three sections. Further, each of these sections align with one of the "omni's" of God.

Psalm 139:1-6 = Omniscience of God
Psalm 139:7-12 = Omnipresence of God
Psalm 139:13-16 = Omnipotence of God

It is significant that the Holy Spirit led the Psalmist to illustrate these three attributes of God in relationship to him. God is omniscient (He knew everything about David); God is omnipresent (no matter where David went, God would be there); God is omnipotent (God was actively working to form David when he was en utero).

The remainder of the Psalm speaks of the Psalmist's amazement that such an incredible, infinite God would care so much for him (Psalm 136:17-18). He further asked that his infinite God would pronounce judgement on those who hate Him (Psalm 136:19-22). And finally, he asks that his infinite God would assist him in his desire to be holy and set apart for God (Psalm 136:23-24).

This final section is what I have chosen for our Verses for Today. Psalm 136:23-24 can be a wonderful prayer that we offer up to God if we want to do a thorough "spring cleaning" in our heart. 

Oftentimes, unconfessed sin can be forgotten and therefore never resolved. There can also be sin patterns in our hearts that we don't even notice. These scenarios and more will keep us from enjoying our God.

So, consider praying the words of Psalm 136:23-24 from your heart for the next few days and listen intently to what God may reveal. If there is some sin that you become aware of, completely confess and repent (turn away from it).

Our infinite God and Father wants us to live in such a way that we are not burdened down with guilt (legal and experiential). He also wants us to reflect His glory to others (show others by our lifestyle how good He is). The only way He can do this is if we are clean in His sight.

So, let the words of our Verses for Today be what God uses to begin the cleaning process.

Psalm 139:23-24 "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way."

Why we MUST deal with personal sin

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Judges 8:18–9:21 
Luke 23:44–24:12 
Psalm 99:1-9 
Proverbs 14:9-10

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Proverbs 14:9 (CSB) "Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

It is doubtful that any of us can go for any significant amount of time without sinning. I'm not trying to be negative. I'm just acknowledging the fact that we are utterly dependent upon the Cross each moment of our life.

Whether it is a sinful action, or a sinful thought, or even a sinful motivation, all of us struggle to live in constant conformity to God's standard.

So, while we must rely upon prayer, meditating upon God's Word, resting in the power of the Holy Spirit, and a few other things to give us victory over sin, what do we do once we have sinned?

Our Verse for the Day tells us that the person who fails to acknowledge the offense of their sin and refuses to make amends with God is a fool.

Proverbs 14:9 (CSB) "Fools mock at making reparation, but there is goodwill among the upright."

Why is he a fool? Because the one who DOES make amends for his sin by acknowledging it to God and turning from it (repentance) will receive God's favor. They will experience the cleansing power of forgiveness. They will enjoy renewed fellowship with their God. They will avoid the consequences of sin. On and on we could go.

So, when you and I sin today, will we be a fool? The answer to that question is determined by whether or not we remain indifferent to the sin or whether we seek to make it right with God and others. 

How to develop godly attitudes

DAILY BIBLE READING:

Joshua 22:21–23:16 
Luke 20:27-47 
Psalm 89:14-37 
Proverbs 13:17-19

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Luke 20:45-47 (CSB) "While all the people were listening, he said to his disciples, 'Beware of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive harsher judgment.'"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

As we read the Gospels, it is easy to stand in judgment of the religious leaders of Jesus' day. They were hypocrites. We can see it and Jesus periodically labeled them as such.

A painful truth to reflect on is that it is easy to see hypocrisy in others but it's not so easy to see it in ourselves.

In our verse for today, Jesus warned his followers of the religious leaders. He went through a list of six characteristics that made it clear that they were filled with pride and loved the praise of people. These are heart attitudes. Sure, the religious leaders went about their 'holy' duties but their hearts revealed that they weren't doing it for the Lord - they were doing it for themselves.

Hypocrisy is simply appearing to be one thing while actually being something else. When we try to appear good, and righteous, and holy to others and yet have heart attitudes that are displeasing to God, we are hypocrites.

So, what's the answer? I think there are a few action points we need to take:

• Confess and repent (turn from) these heart attitudes. Acknowledge them before the Lord, see them as the ugliness that God says they are, and work to get rid of them.
• Enlist a prayer partner or accountability partner. You may find great help in a fellow Jesus-follower who will pray for you and point out areas of concern.
• Replace sinful heart attitudes with holy heart attitudes. Nature abhors a vacuum. If you get rid of something bad, you had better replace it with something good very soon. So, spend time in your Bible. Consider memorizing and meditating on heart attitudes that you need to develop. Ask God's Holy Spirit to do this work in you.

Essentially, this is a life-long process that will never be fully completed this side of Heaven. But, the important thing is that we are becoming more like Jesus and less like the world as the months and years pass.

One reason why repentance is so important

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 36:1 - Deuteronomy 1:46
Luke 5:29-6:11
Psalm 66:1-20
Proverbs 11:24-26

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 66:18-19 (CSB) "If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. However, God has listened; he has paid attention to the sound of my prayer."

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

One of the truths that we believe about God is His omnipresence. That means that He is completely everywhere at all times. The Psalmist acknowledged this attribute of God in Psalm 139:7-12.

In believing this about our God, we also come to some other logical conclusions, one of which is that since God is everywhere, He hears everything that is said. There is no place, even in the deepest, darkest parts of the universe, that someone can whisper a word that God doesn't hear it.

Yet, in our verses for today, we are told that there is a scenario in which we can speak and God won't listen. Notice that it doesn't say that He doesn't hear our prayer - it's just that He's not listening. He hears the words but He's not going to do anything about it.

What would cause Him to ignore our prayers? The awareness of unconfessed sin!

If we desire to have a prayer life in which God hears and answers, one of the stipulations is that we stay "confessed up." When we sin, we run to the cross, fall on our knees, and repent (admit our sin and resolve to not do it again).

I'm definitely a work in progress. I definitely have sin struggles but I also desire to stay "confessed up." As a result, God periodically answers my prayers.

A couple of days ago, my oldest son showed obvious signs of fatigue. Between school, his obligations to the high school band and academic team, his part-time job at Wendy's, and a few other things, he's burning the candle at both ends. Yesterday, before he drove to work, I prayed with him. I asked that if God desired it, that business would be slow and he could come home early. (That rarely ever happens.) He was supposed to work until 10PM but he walked in the door at 8:30PM. When I said, "Zach, this is what we prayed for!", he smiled because he knew that God had answered our prayer.

If you want God to hear and answer your prayers, you don't need to be perfect. If that were the standard, no one would ever receive an answer to prayer. You just need to be pursuing holiness and staying "confessed up."

If you haven't been praying as you ought, why not renew your passion to pray to the God who listens and answers.

Psalm 66:18-19 (CSB) "If I had been aware of malice in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. However, God has listened; he has paid attention to the sound of my prayer."

Are you a good person?

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Numbers 14:1-15:16
Mark 14:53-72
Psalm 53:1-6
Proverbs 11:4

BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:

Psalm 53:2-3 "God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!"

REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

It's been my observation that most of us think we're a pretty good person. In fact, if I was walking down the street and someone asked me, "Do you think you're a good person?", I'd probably say "Yes."

Why is it so natural for us to think of ourselves as good and to proclaim that goodness to others?

Because we have watered down the definition of that word. The way we define "goodness" is not the way that God defines "goodness."

When we define goodness, we are saying that we haven't killed anyone. We haven't committed adultery. We aren't a liar. We aren't a thief.

... at least we think those statements are true of us.

So, can I ask you a few questions to see if you are a good person? Thank you.

Have you ever been angry with someone? Of course you have. We all have. Well, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus equates anger with murder. So, you, my friend, are a murderer. You have broken the 6th Commandment (Exodus 20:13).

Have you ever looked at someone to lust after them (arouse sexual passions in your mind/heart)? Jesus said that whoever looks to lust has committed adultery in his heart (Matthew 5:27-28). So, you, my friend, are an adulterer. You have broken the 7th Commandment (Exodus 20:14).

Have you ever told a lie? Even once? Of course you have. We all have. And what do you call someone who has told a lie? A liar, right? So, you, my friend, are a liar. You have broken the 9th Commandment (Exodus 20:16).

Have you ever taken anything (no matter how small) that didn't belong to you? Of course you have. Well, what do you call someone who steals? A thief! So, you, my friend, are a thief. You have broken the 8th Commandment (Exodus 20:15).

So, by your own admonition, you are a murderer, an adulterer, a liar, and a thief. And we've only look at 4 of the 10 Commandments.

Do you see how misinformed we are when we proclaim our own goodness? Do you see how our verse for today is true when it says that God looks down from Heaven and can't find anyone who is doing good?

You may say, "Well, I'm mostly good. I'm a liar but most of the time I tell the truth."

Well, imagine with me that you are sitting in a court of law. The defendant is accused of murder. But, he speaks up and says, "I killed someone in cold blood. But, most of the time, I just leave people alone. I'm good most of the time. It's only every now and then that I kill someone."

You get the point, don't you?

So, what does a truth like the one found in today's Bible verses cause us to do? It should cause us to run, not walk, to the foot of the cross and fall down in repentance. It should cause us to trust in Jesus for our source of righteousness and stop trusting in ourselves to make us right in God's eyes.

Because we aren't morally good. Only Jesus is morally upright and fully pleasing to God. It is only as we are trusting in Jesus to make us right in God's eyes that we get forgiven and declared righteous. He takes our sin and He credits us with His righteousness.

So, if you are trusting in yourself to be good enough to make you right in God's eyes, stop it. You will never, ever be able to be good enough. Instead, trust in Jesus to make you good enough. That's precisely why He died on the cross, my friend.

When Being Sad is Very Good

TODAY'S BIBLE READING:

Exodus 8:1-9:35
Matthew 19:13-30
Psalm 24:1-10
Proverbs 6:1-5


BIBLE VERSE(S) FOR TODAY:


Psalm 24:1 "The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,"


REFLECTIONS ON TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE(S):

Imagine that someone came to you today and said: "What do I need to do to get to Heaven?" If you are a Christian, that would be exciting! People rarely come right out and ask such a question but if they did, we would assume that they are ready to ask Jesus into their life.

Right? Not necessarily.

In our time in God's Word today, we read where someone came to Jesus and asked that very question:

"Someone came to Jesus with this question: 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16)

Well, we would expect that Jesus would go right into the Gospel: "Say this pray and the deal is done."

Such a thing happens all too often in contemporary Christianity. Yet, it never happened in Scripture - not once. Nowhere was someone told to simply say a prayer to be saved. Instead, they were told to repent, believe, and then demonstrate a changed life the rest of their days.

So, what did Jesus say to this guy who was asking how to get to Heaven? He didn't take him to the good news of the Gospel. Instead, He took him to the Old Testament law - specifically the 10 Commandments.

Jesus observed that the guy was a little too loose in his use of the word "good." He called Jesus "good" (Matthew 19:16) even though he had no idea that Jesus was God in the flesh. He simply thought too highly of other people. He didn't realize that everyone was a guilty sinner before a holy God.

Further, he thought to highly of himself. When Jesus treated the 10 Commandments as a mirror desiring to show the guy that he was a sinner in need of a Savior, he responded by saying that he was pretty good. 

"'I've obeyed all these commandments,' the young man replied. 'What else must I do?'" (Matthew 19:20)

Good grief! The guy was saturated with self-righteousness. He had asked Jesus how to get to Heaven but he apparently thought he was more than good enough to get there on his own merits.

The irony is that before we can be saved and made righteous, we must recognize our utter sinfulness. Before we can reach out to a Savior, we must realize that we are in desperate need of saving. Before we are prepared to reach out for a cure, we must realize that we are horribly sick. Before we can go up in forgiveness and joy, we must go down in conviction and repentance.

So, because Jesus loved him, He nailed him. Jesus knew that this man needed to recognize that he desperately needed to see himself as a sinner before he could reach out for a Savior. The guy's wealth was his god - He was breaking the very first commandment. He needed to be confronted with this sin and his sinfulness so that his heart could receive the Good News.

"Jesus told him, 'If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.'" (Matthew 19:21)

If Jesus had balled up his fist and hit the guy right in the nose, He couldn't have startled him anymore than this. The rich young ruler was delighting in his opportunity to demonstrate his self-righteousness before Jesus and the onlookers but Jesus had just asked him to do something he was incapable of doing. His money was too valuable to him. As much as he wanted to go to Heaven, he would not give up his money to get there.

Jesus could have said, "Your money is your god" and this man would have denied it. But, in telling this man to release his grip on his wealth by giving it away, this young man's response clearly demonstrated the point for all to see.

So, what happened?

"But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Matthew 19:22)

He went away without Heaven. He went away without the Gospel. He went away without forgiveness and without being saved. He went away defeated and sad. 

But, this could have been a very, very good thing! He had been confronted with the law. His heart was exposed. He had seen that he loved the temporal much more than the eternal. Over time, he may have grown so displeased at what he had seen. He wasn't as righteous as he thought he was. He was a sinner in need of a Savior.

It is quite possible that his confrontation with the law brought about conviction in his heart. It is quite possible that after his sinful heart was exposed that he may have come back to Jesus at a later time to be saved - not as a righteous man but as a guilty sinner in need of a Savior. At that point, he would have been ready to receive what Jesus desired to give him.

Just a thought:
This man was unnamed. We don't know who he was. But wouldn't it be a wonderful story if we get to Heaven and realize that this unnamed rich young ruler was Joseph of Arimathea, a rich man (Matthew 27:57), who took Jesus body and buried it in his own cave only for it to be vacated 3 days later? We'll just have to wait and see.

January 1 - Through the Bible in a Year

Today's Bible Reading:
Genesis 1:1-2:25
Matthew 1:1-2:12
Psalm 1:1-6
Proverbs 1:1-6

Bible verse(s) for the Day:

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Some of my reflections on today's reading:
Let's be honest. No, let's be brutally honest! We will start with the sobering news and end with great news.

Far too many folks who profess to be Jesus followers are simply playing games with God and their eternity. They claim that they have "said a prayer" and are on their way to Heaven. Yet, while they may have a striking resemblance to their "Christian" friends, they look nothing like Jesus.

Yes, we live by grace. In fact, if we are completely honest with ourselves and others, we desperately need regular doses of grace. Every day, we find ourselves falling at the foot of the cross asking once again for forgiveness for a sinful action, oversight, word, thought, attitude, or motive.

Yet, too often, it seems as if people who claim to be Jesus-followers are presuming upon God's grace. They assume that God is going to forgive them of any sin and fault. So, they live for themselves. They don't read God's Word and pursue holiness. They settle for simply trying to be good. And they measure their goodness based not upon the Bible but upon how their peers are living. They tolerate sin in their life because, after all, "no one is perfect." So, they continue tolerating sin and periodically offer up trite prayers in their attempt to clear the decks.

This sort of attitude angered the Apostle Paul:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" (Romans 6:1-2).

Did you notice Paul's statement, "By no means!"? The word he used in Greek was about as harsh a word as you can use without cursing.

So, what are we to do? 

Pursue holiness! 

"Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14).

How do we become holy, more like Jesus? The answer to that question is the same as this question: "How can I be happy/blessed?" Apply Psalm 6:1-2!

Psalm 1:1-2 "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, not sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Absolutely refuse to engage in sin in any form! Even if the sin seems trivial, don't do it! When you sin, and we will(!), immediately drop to your knees, ask for forgiveness and cleansing and receive it.

Notice in verse 1 that there is a progression (or really a regression): first, the man is walking with sinners, then he slows down to stand with them, then he slows down even more to sit with them. Further, notice that he begins with personally engaging in sin and eventually develops a calloused heart with which he scoffs at those striving to pursue holiness. 

Everything about sin moves us, slowly but surely, away from Jesus and our journey toward holiness.

I've counseled enough people and know from my own sinful heart that sin, whatever it is (big or small), is a poison. It appeals to our sin nature and the first dose often feels great. But, eventually it doesn't satisfy like it once did and we may soon realize that it is seeking to destroy us. In reality, it is insane that we keep going after sin to satisfy the longing inside of us that can only be satisfied with Jesus.

Instead of engaging in harmful sin, what must we do? We develop an appetite for God's Word, we read it, and we find joy in reflecting on it and complying with it (Psalm 6:2).

Friend, God's Word is not intended to steal your fun. It is intended to warn us of what will steal our joy and our fellowship with God. God wants us to be blessed! He wants us to be happy in Him, regardless of what is going on in our life. 

But, in order to get that joy, we've got to despise sin and love God's Word. We've got to reject sin and pursue holiness (progressively becoming more like Jesus). 

Will you make that your aim today as you depend upon the Lord for the strength to do so?