Talk With Me For A While

That verse does not speak of the diversity of mankind, but the selection of one man to lead a nation. Yet it expresses where God sees what a man really is like – within him, not what is seen. What Samuel saw was a lad, ruddy in complexion, incapable of leading a nation. He still appeared that way to his companions when he went to fight Goliath.

The outward appearance has become the definition of a person. What was an admonish and then a book when I was beginning a career has become a world wide movement to Dress For Success. We are very concerned about how a person looks, aren’t we.

We’ve seen the before/after pictures of meth users. Some of these have been taken in our own families. The outward appearance here shows definite inward changes, but it doesn’t show the heart of a person who would like to renew themselves. God sees that, too.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:10 KJV)

This Psalm is one of the most powerful stories when we know all of David’s life. He took a woman, had her husband killed, and lost his child in a relatively short time. Yet, it’s not to her he confesses:

For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalms 51:3-4 KJV)

His relationship with God was damaged.

We do that, too, though seldom to the point of causing someone’s death, but we can’t be certain what the consequences are of our sins, can we? The worse possible consequence (in my opinion) would be the failure of a person’s understanding eternal consequences. That person’s loss because of our action – or inaction – has eternal consequences. Jesus described how bad it was:

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! (Matthew 18:6-7 KJV)

We cannot control any other person than ourselves. Much happens to us that is beyond our control – but we can always control our response. The best way to do that is scripturally. Sunday our Youth Minister gave eight items for us to consider when we are making decisions. Had David followed scripture, he would not have sent for Bathsheba and the world would be different today. Perhaps not better, but certainly different.

The first item (hopefully I will get to others in following days) is: Does it pass the scripture test?

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)

That tells us the source of scripture – God. Tell us what it is good for – doctrine, reproof, instruction, righteousness. The next verse tells us the end result of using this correctly:

That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17 KJV)

Yes – having the knowledge isn’t sufficient. There must be works. Another disciple concurred:

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:19-20 KJV)

For Christians – followers of the teachings of Jesus Christ – it is necessary to learn of Him, speak to Him, listen to Him, and respond to His commands. Never forget that all He taught are based on two commandments I included yesterday and so often in the years before:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)