The Way of Truth

              Reading Psalm 119:27-32 quoted below, brings to mind:

John 1:17  For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

              I am certain that our Psalmist was aware of a coming Messiah.  However, in this set of verses, he is talking about the LORD, our God, the Father in Heaven, not the coming Messiah.

            Regardless of how we look at these scriptures, we can see the Psalmist knows that Jehovah God is “the way of truth.”  In our New Testament, Jesus brought the “the way of truth” with Him.  As a Christian, we are “paid for” by the Blood of Jesus.  Through that Blood, we have access to the same LORD our Psalmist is referring.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

              Jesus tells us that through Him and only Him, we have access to God our Father.  The question that comes to my mind is, “Have we accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour?”  Without the blessing of the Blood of Christ, we have no redemption and absolutely no access to God our LORD.

Romans 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

            God, through Paul, tells us if we will confess Jesus, (within our heart and to others,) and if we will believe that God has raised Him from the dead, God will give us eternity with Him.

            Have you confessed your heart and shown God through Baptism that you have accepted His Son? (Your confession)  Do you believe Jesus is the “the way of truth” and that God has raised Him from the grave?  If you have, then Salvation and eternal life with Jesus the Christ, and His Father, our LORD, is yours.     

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 119:27-32  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  (28)  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  (29)  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.  (30)  I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me.  (31)  I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame.  (32)  I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart.

The Wisdom of This World

              After reading 1 Corinthians 3:18-21 quoted below, and after having just completed reading the Books Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, my thoughts immediately go to:

Ecclesiastes 1:2  Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.

              My second thought was in all the wisdom that Solomon preached, all the judgments (from that preaching of wisdom and in all he spoke,) his conclusion: it was all a waste of time.

              This second consideration brought to mind another verse;

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Solomon preached the “strait” gate but walked the “broad” way.  We as preachers need to verify what we are preaching.  Are we a “Don’t do as I do, do as I say,” type preacher?   If so, then we walk with the “wisdom of this world.”

              My thoughts daily are, “Am I presenting God Biblically,” and in truth? I do not do as well as I want, and certainly not to the standards God has set for us. I do fall short.  As a Preacher and as a Christian I do not want to get to the end and find my life as Solomon found his, “all is vanity.”

              In order for us to be what God expects of us as individuals, we must make additional choices in our lives.  When we accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour, it was under conviction, (with some, likely limited knowledge of Jesus the Christ.)  Regardless of our education and the conviction, we made a personal choice to accept Jesus, by saying, “Yes, I believe.”

              Some reading this may be “newborn babes (1 Peter 2:2)” in Christ, others may have many years as a believer.  We all might find that staying on the “narrow” way has been difficult or just over time we have strayed to a broader road.  When we find this to be true, we must make a personal choice:  to get back from the “wisdom” of the world, and put our “vanities” out of our lives.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

              You as an individual must decide to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind” so that you can get back into God’s will.  It is your decision, it isn’t mine for you, (it is your decision.)  Are you transforming and renewing your life?  Don’t you think maybe it is about time?                        

Bro. John R. E Chastain

1 Corinthians 3:18-21  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.  (19)  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.  (20)  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.  (21)  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

The Light of the LORD

              After reading Isaiah 2:3-5 quoted below, my thoughts immediately go to:

John 8:12  Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

Know that Jesus the Christ is the “Only Light” and there is no other.  Isaiah tells us to walk in His light, “the light of the LORD.”  “I wonder, how bright does He shine from me?” 

              Isaiah tells us, “let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God.”  Are we really willing to climb that mountain to the house of God?  How do we get there?  We have to know God through His Son Jesus the Christ.  If we have accepted Him in time past, we may need to search our hearts.

              Our theme at Fundamental Baptist Church this year is, “Where You Headin In Twenty-Eleven?”  This theme is based on Romans 12:2, the portion that deals with our being “transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (This is about climbing that mountain.)  Paul addresses who he is speaking to by saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren.”  It is clear Paul is talking to Christians, people who in the past have accepted Jesus and at one time were following His commandments.  (Somehow, they may have drifted away from Christ.)  For the most part, they may have turned away from Him.

              We are having our Spring Revival which is entitled “Transform & Renewal” in Mid-March.  We as brethren need to understand we may have slipped down the mountain of God’s house, and are standing in the valley without looking up to Him. 

              Now is the time to re-Transform Yourself, by Renewing Your mind and climb back up that mountain.  Know in your heart that God, the Holy Spirit, nor Jesus will command you to climb back on that mountaintop.  That is your job.  You must do the climbing with a willing heart, a heart that desires to be in His House of Worship.

              “Where You Headin In Twenty-Eleven?”

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Isaiah 2:3-5  And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.  (4)  And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.  (5)  O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD.

The Fear of the LORD

              After reading Psalm 111:4-10 quoted below, my first thoughts centered on the word “fear.”  To most of us, this evokes a thought of trembling, shaking in our boots.  Then we wonder how this can be the “…beginning of wisdom.”

              We first must define the word “fear.”  “Fear” denotes “reverence.”  For us to understand this phrase, we need to reverence God to increase our wisdom.  What is our “fear” or “reverence” of God?  How do we define our “…beginning of wisdom” with God? 

              When we entered our Salvation by accepting Jesus as our personal Saviour, there should have been a repentant heart along with a humbling of ourselves before Him, and we must also continue this repentance / humbling of ourselves daily.  We can only do it by the transforming of our minds.

Romans 12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

              The problem is we must instigate the change, and with God’s help through the Holy Spirit, look for that “good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  When we “fear” the LORD, we are doing His will. 

              Christians are sorta like my “back door cats.”  When I take food out to them, they “reverence” me heartily.  Any other time of day, I cannot get within an arms reach of them. Their “reverence” is only “in time of need.”             That attitude will not gain us wisdom, (only when in dire need we seek that “reverence” to gain “our needs.”) 

              Our “fear” of the LORD must be a daily occurrence, with or without need.  Through our prayers and Bible reading, we will gain the needed wisdom because we will be “fear[ing] the LORD.”

              Are you like my “back door cats,” or are you really seeking the Wisdom of God?

Bro. John R. E Chastain

Psalms 111:4-10  He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.  (5)  He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.  (6)  He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.  (7)  The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.  (8)  They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.  (9)  He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.  (10)  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.