Friday, August 17, 2007

A Love For His Words

Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you?
Luke 6:46


I have to say it has taken me this long to pick up the Bible and read one of the four Gospels and to sincerely treasure the words that Jesus speaks. Had I been tricked? Was I blinded my sin, namely pride? Or was I just lazy? I think it was a little or a lot of all these things. I would read and memorize verses and even chapters from Paul's letters and those of his fellow apostles but rarely would I read the words of Jesus in the four gospels unless, of course, a passage was referenced in one of the other books. I have been so prideful and so ignorant of my Savior. He lived his life and gave it freely that I might be set free and I have so sinfully ignored what he lovingly demands of my life.

I was recently convicted of this during a time when I failed to live out my faith. Falling short would not be an accurate depiction. Turning my back and wandering off would sum it up better. During my time of repentance, the Spirit graciously laid it on my heart to read through one of the gospels and one of the apostle's letters with the purpose of asking myself tough questions.

Is this really what you believe? Is it displayed in your life daily? If it's not, then why not? What's getting in the way? How could it be displayed more? If it is present in your daily life, is there a humility and joy that accompanies it?

These questions have helped reveal how serious I am about my faith and my joy-filled love for Jesus Christ. I have been reading in Luke, keeping in mind Psalm 19:7-10, and have been surprised by all that has been graciously shown to me so far. I can not write this post without saying that it is a pure joy and pleasure to read God's Word, namely the words of my Savior.

Today, reading in Luke 6, I read a verse that pretty much sums up why I am reading the Word with this purpose. Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and not do what I tell you? This was me and it still is in so many ways. Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like... Jesus goes on to talk about the familiar image of building you house on the rock. I can't ignore Jesus' words and I can't ignore following them and expect to have a solid foundation. By loving and treasuring his commands in my thoughts and actions, I am fixing my life on a foundation that is unwavering and will carry me into eternity.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Pure, Enlightening the Eyes


The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Psalm 19:7-10


This is such a beautiful passage and it came to my mind today as I was reading 1 Peter. As I began reading 2:13 and on, I felt myself begin to squirm.

Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution...

Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.

These don't seem like very exciting verses to me and they certainly don't seem like verses I would meditate on. I began to search out why I was squirming as I read this and I thought to myself, Patrick, maybe you have problems submitting to authority. I thought this was probably true. The rest of the day I thought about this and what I noticed is that I don't mind submitting to those placed over me that I respect but when I don't respect the person and view myself as superior to them in some way, I quickly get an attitude with them. Sometimes I actually do make some sarcastic or dry comment to them or sometimes I just smile and pretend. Either way though, there is an ugly feeling that rises within my heart. As I noticed this, I thought about Psalm 19 and its descriptions of the Lord's commandments.

Perfect, reviving the soul. Sure, making wise the simple. Right, rejoicing the heart. Pure, enlightening the heart. Clean, enduring forever. True, and righteous altogether. Sweeter than honey.

These are not descriptions what I felt in the midst of my prideful attitude in resistance to authority. I realized that I was picking and choosing which commandments of the Lord that I thought were perfect, pure, and right. I was placing the Word under my own judgment instead of placing myself under its' judgment. As I reread the passage from 1 Peter again, this time as a loving commandment from the Lord meant to bring me joy, I realized that I could now submit to any authority joyfully for the Lord's sake. The passage goes on to consider Christ who came as the Savior and Servant King. The King of Kings submitted to earthly authority and was crucified on a cross for us. This is the beautiful Savior that I have given my life to follow and oh, what a joy to follow his example.

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
1 Peter 2:21-25