In Isaiah 55.10, God describes the regular, natural process of rain watering the earth and causing growth that brings “seed to the sower and bread to the eater.”  The work of the Word of God is likened to that process in verse 11.  God’s word will

–          Go out from His mouth

–          Shall not return to God empty

–          Shall accomplish that which God purposes

–          Shall succeed in the things for which God sent it.

Just as with prayer, there is a mystery here.  We can’t know the details of all God’s purposes and the things for which he sends His Word.  But, we can trust Him that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8.28) and that His Word never returns empty. That’s powerful work.

In John 16.7, Jesus tells his disciples it will be better for them if he goes away.  What! The Son of God, our master and our friend, is going away, and that is a good thing?  But, Jesus will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whose ministry is explained in 16.8, 13-14.  The Spirit will

–          Convict the world concerning sin

–          Convict the world concerning righteousness

–          Convict the world concerning judgment

–          Guide you into all the truth

–          Declare to you the things that are to come

–          Glorify Jesus

–          Take what Jesus has said and declare it to you.

Jesus’ death and resurrection provide redemption from sin and life everlasting.  And we get the Holy Spirit to guide us.  It was indeed wonderful for them and for us that Jesus went away.

Last Friday’s post contained a gospel message from Titus 3.3-7. Right after those verses (see Titus 3.8-11), Paul presents a short list of appropriate actions for those who have believed.

The actions include

–          Trust the gospel message

–          Insist on understanding the gospel

–          Avoid foolish discussions about:

• o   Controversies
• o   Genealogies
• o   Dissensions
• o   Quarrels about the law

–          Warn and then avoid a person who stirs up division

It is interesting that, as an echo of Titus 3.5 – he saved us, not because of works done by us – verse 8 has believing in God coming before devotion to good works.

The book of Hebrews is all about showing how and why Jesus is better – better than angels, the temple, Moses, and Aaron’s line of priests.  Chapter 7, Verse 26 says why Jesus the High Priest is worthy:

–          Holy

–          Innocent

–          Unstained

–          Separated from sinners

–          Exalted above the heavens

The rest of the chapter goes on to make that point that because Jesus offered himself once for all on the cross, he has no need to offer daily sacrifices, neither for himself nor for the people as commanded in Leviticus 7. 

At the end of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, in verses 13-14, he sends a brief but robust encouragement to continue to follow the Lord, with confidence in his power.  The five phrases:

–          Be watchful

–          Stand firm in the truth

–          Act like men

–          Be strong

–          Let all that you do be done in love

In 2 Timothy 3.10-15, Paul contrasts his character with the wolves in sheep’s clothing he described in the earlier part of chapter 3.  See yesterday’s post for a list of the wolf’s appalling actions. 

Paul uses himself as one of several cornerstones for Timothy: there are other trustworthy men who have taught him; Timothy knows to continue in the scriptures; and there is an implied connection to Jesus, as Paul has modeled his ministry on Christ. Paul’s list of visible characteristics for Timothy to follow include his

–          Teaching

–          Conduct

–          Aim in life

–          Faith

–          Patience

–          Love

–          Steadfastness

–          Persecutions (!) (see verse 12: “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”)

Notice that HOLY Lists are not completely pleasant, but all things on this list are redeemed.

Paul presents a blistering list of the characteristics of man’s wicked nature in 2 Timothy 3.2-9.  Why show such an awful compilation in the HOLY Lists category?  There are two reasons:

First, the good news of Jesus Christ is announced as “Repent and Believe.” Turn away from immoral behavior and attitudes as well as turn toward Christ.   To be saved, a sinner must recognize the NEED for salvation.

Second, Paul follows up the offensive itemization with a list of better behavior; we will look at that Holy List tomorrow.

The following is a LONG list; be ready because the second part says what such people DO.  People will be:

–          Lovers of self

–          Lovers of money

–          Proud

–          Arrogant

–          Abusive

–          Disobedient to their parents

–          Ungrateful

–          Unholy

–          Heartless

–          Unappeasable

–          Slanderous

–          Without self-control

–          Brutal

–          Not loving good

–          Treacherous

–          Reckless

–          Swollen with conceit

–          Lovers of pleasure rather  than lovers of God

–          Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power

Paul says succinctly, “Avoid such people.”  Especially beware of those who are wolves in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be believers, because they will:

–          Creep into households

–          Capture weak women, burdened with sin and led astray by various passions

–          Be always learning and never able to see the truth

–          Oppose the truth

–          Be corrupted in mind

–          Be disqualified regarding the faith

Look for a brighter list tomorrow.

Romans 8 ends with a wonderful declaration of the strength of God’s love for his children.

In verse 35 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Not

–          Tribulation

–          Distress

–          Persecution

–          Famine

–          Nakedness

–          Danger

–          Sword

And in verses 38-39, none of the following “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord”:

–          Death

–          Life

–          Angels

–          Rulers

–          Things present

–          Things to come

–          Powers

–          Height

–          Depth

–          Anything else in all creation

Those are very inclusive lists explaining that “nothing can be against us” (verse 31).

2 Timothy 3.16 is often cited as a rock-solid defense for the authority of scripture – “scripture is breathed out by God”, so God is the ultimate author of the Bible. In the verses just prior, Paul is instructing Timothy to “continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (vs 3.14). 

Paul gives a list of benefits provided by the “sacred writings” or “scripture,” which Timothy has learned and fully believed, knowing they are from God.  Scripture is

–          Able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (wow!)

–          Profitable for teaching

–          Profitable for reproof

–          Profitable for correction

–          Profitable for training in righteousness

–          Leading the man of God (to) be competent and equipped for every good work (righteous)

 

Psalm 103 starts out famously, “Bless the LORD, O my soul.”  Verse 2 adds, “..and forget not all his benefits.”  A long description follows of the many benefits of knowing and understanding the one true God, including:

–          Forgives all your iniquities

–          Heals all your diseases

–          Redeems your life from the pit

–          Crowns you with steadfast love and mercy

–          Satisfies you with good, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s

–          Works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed

–          Made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel

–          Is merciful and gracious

–          Slow to anger

–          Abounding in steadfast love

–          Will not always chide

–          Will not keep his anger forever

–          Does not deal with us according to our sins

–          Does not repay us according to our iniquities

–          His steadfast love toward those who fear him is as high as the heavens

–          He removes our transgressions from us as far the east is from the west

–          Shows compassion to those who fear him  

Since the Fear of the LORD is the beginning of Wisdom, it makes sense that wise men bless HIM for his beneficent nature.