Recently we have been trying to provide a balanced view towards the things that are happening in the world and all of the commentary that goes along with that. And the need to be looking into the word of God a great deal more than perhaps we have been doing. The words that proceed from the mouth of God are critically important; they are not abstract.
Notice in Deuteronomy 30: “For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it” (Deuteronomy 30: 11–14). The Book of the Law is cited in Deuteronomy 30:10.
The scriptures are to become a living, dynamic part of the followers of God through conversion, through the indwelling presence of God’s Spirit. For us, Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of the law in the spirit and intent, the example for Christians to follow.
In Romans 10, Paul states: ”For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach)” (Romans 10:4–8). The Book of the Law (Bible) is near, not far off.
Paul lifts the law so far above just the letter, above a list of do’s and don’ts, and gets right into the spiritual intent and purpose of what God is intending for a human mind. Clearly the value of the scripture is not just in obedience. It is the word of faith which builds righteousness in everyone who believes.
When we add the Spirit of God to the law, the word of God takes on a living actuality in the way that we think. That way of thinking helps us deal with the world in which we live today. The value of inculcating God’s scriptures by instilling the habit of persistent time for studying God’s instructions cannot be overestimated as this world continues a downward spiral away from Him. We need the whole armor of God to be able to withstand the evil in this world (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Scripture provides us with an example of King David for our enlightenment when he struggled with a situation of evil which was seemingly being blessed. Psalm 37 gives us insight into how David was grappling with the pressure of living by God’s law and the prosperity of those who were not. It is a cautionary warning for our learning if we begin to think as David did: “Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity . . . Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil” (Psalm 37:1,8).
Fretting is a typical human response. The Hebrew word seems to cover a large range of emotions, but mostly from a negative point of view. It means to show or incite passion. These negative emotions can hurt us and can stunt or slow down spiritual growth if they become dominant within our thinking. The value of scripture is exemplified here in that it guides us out of the negative emotions. “Truly God is good to Israel (Followers of God), to those who are pure in heart. But as for me (David), my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:1-3).
However, David did appeal to God to uphold his steps in God’s path to life (Psalm 17:5). We can slip off His path. So, our response to evildoers and workers of iniquity is vital because: “The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD” (Proverbs 19:3).
The real issue at heart here is our relationship with God. Fretting is a relationship issue. It can damage our relationship with God. There are two paths. “I have taught you in the way of wisdom (this is a path) I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:11-15).
The wisdom comes from God and leads us in the straight and narrow path of righteousness. Verses 14-15 are the second path which is simply living by the dictates of the carnal, human mind. This path can look attractive. Those who disregard God can be successful, gaining whatever it is they are trying to accomplish. But there is an end result which we need to perceive: “Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, And their lips talk of troublemaking. . . . Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the wicked; For there will be no prospect for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out” (Proverbs 24:1-2,19-20).
Followers of God’s way who have inculcated Scripture into their lives see their outcome as they follow His way: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day; For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:17-18). The end result is either to be cut off or to inherit the earth.
The Apostle Paul wrote of the works of the flesh that Christians are to avoid on path 2: “Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
The Christian path is to produce the fruits of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22–25). Our end result is to inherit eternal life when we stay on His path: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one” (John 10: 27-30).
David trusted God and by doing so, draws us back to the center of trusting God, making Him the dominant feature of our lives:
“Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday. . . . For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; Indeed, you will look carefully for his place, But it shall be no more. But the meek shall inherit the earth, And shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. . . . Depart from evil, and do good; And dwell forevermore. For the LORD loves justice, And does not forsake His saints; They are preserved forever, But the descendants of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell in it forever” (Psalm 37:4–6, 9-11,27-29)
Valuing God’s scriptures by inculcating them into our thinking through the daily habit of study and obedience will give us a balanced understanding of the mind of God and the end result He intends for all humanity.
Brian Orchard