As Christians we are so aware of God's love and mercy in Christ that we often forget that there are certain things that will -- for lack of a better word-- make God love us more. Yes, yes, I know...God loves everyone.
In the life of a person who loves truth, there will always be confrontations with falsehood. In fact this is where many of the fights take place. In our minds, in conversations with neighbors, in discussions with people who supposedly are Christians. Truth is a hard thing to come by. Jesus told us, "The world cannot receive the spirit of truth."
What does it mean to live a life of honesty? What does it mean when we are told to not believe a lie? And is sitting by not saying anything the same as lying? The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Many Christians have faith to believe that Jesus saved them from hell. But do they really live a life of daily reliance on him? To them I say, God really is pleased with people who exert their faith. After all, the list of folks who don't go into heaven are: those who are cowardly. And those who are unbelieving. Right there beside those who abuse themselves with mankind. Uhm.... It is dangerous to speak the truth.
God loves courage! Good courage built on a trust in Him and His Word. God loves honestly. The world doesn't love truth. It has its stereotypes, set ideas, prejudices. So we need good courage! We need it so that we can live and not be ensnared by the fear of man. God courage that hopes against hope when all hope is gone. God courage that resists lies. Be of good courage!
Song based on Psalm 31
Discussion on Psalm 31
Psalm 31
In the life of a person who loves truth, there will always be confrontations with falsehood. In fact this is where many of the fights take place. In our minds, in conversations with neighbors, in discussions with people who supposedly are Christians. Truth is a hard thing to come by. Jesus told us, "The world cannot receive the spirit of truth."
What does it mean to live a life of honesty? What does it mean when we are told to not believe a lie? And is sitting by not saying anything the same as lying? The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God.
Many Christians have faith to believe that Jesus saved them from hell. But do they really live a life of daily reliance on him? To them I say, God really is pleased with people who exert their faith. After all, the list of folks who don't go into heaven are: those who are cowardly. And those who are unbelieving. Right there beside those who abuse themselves with mankind. Uhm.... It is dangerous to speak the truth.
God loves courage! Good courage built on a trust in Him and His Word. God loves honestly. The world doesn't love truth. It has its stereotypes, set ideas, prejudices. So we need good courage! We need it so that we can live and not be ensnared by the fear of man. God courage that hopes against hope when all hope is gone. God courage that resists lies. Be of good courage!
Song based on Psalm 31
Discussion on Psalm 31
Psalm 31
1In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness.
2Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.
3For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me.
4Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.
6I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD.
7I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities;
8And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.
9Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
10For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.
11I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me.
12I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.
14But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
15My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.
17Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.
19Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.
21Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city.
22For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.
23O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.
24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.
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