Paul had a clarity of purpose that shaped his life. For him life was a race with a single goal, the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Jesus was his destination and he never wavered from that. Such focus affects how we view the world around us, suddenly everything that the world values becomes ‘rubbish’ in comparison with the pursuit of Jesus. Paul was like those identified in Hebrew 11:13-16, he confessed that he was a stranger on earth. His citizenship was in heaven, he was on a pilgrimage to Jesus. Psalm 85:5-7
This is how we should view life. Life is not about the journey it is about the destination. If our eyes are on the journey we get caught up in the value systems of this world. Let’s recognise that we are citizens of another kingdom and our destination is King Jesus.
Solomon received wisdom from God but we see from Ecclesiastes that his wisdom does not rise above the earth. Everything he speaks about occurs ‘under the sun’.
Ecclesiastes 2:17 Solomon begins to hate life. Eventually his foreign wives lead him into worship of other gods.
It is possible to be the son of a devoted believer but still fall It is possible to have great wisdom, but still fall It is possible to have great reputation, but still fall
Have you ever considered how you will be received when you arrive in heaven. Can you imagine being escorted into the presence of Jesus by angels. You see Him there and you are absolutely stunned by the power and majesty of the King. Then, He looks up from something that has His attention and sees you and says, “Hi glad you’re here. Be with you in a minute. Take a seat over there somewhere.” And then He turns and gives His attention to what He was doing and you get escorted off somewhere by the angels.
Anybody here pictured that kind of reception??
That which you treasure most reveals the devotion of your heart.
Do we expect the Lord to receive us with a greater passion than which we receive Him. Let’s stoke the fires of our hearts towards the Lord. He is our great reward.
Rahab saved herself and her family through the scarlet cord that represented the shed blood of Jesus. Rahab’s life was transformed and she married into God’s people becoming one of the ancestors of Jesus Himself.
God is Truth; His Word is Truth; His Spirit Leads Us Into Truth
Isaiah 40:8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.
Matthew 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
There is a popular view today that truth is relative. Christianity, on the other hand, is built on the premise that truth is absolute because Jesus is Truth and that the teachings of the Bible are universal.
Postmodern views state that
Truth is not discovered, it is created
There is no universal truth
Truth changes according to a person’s viewpoint
There is no such thing as absolute truth
God tells us different. In Romans He says this:-
Romans 1:18-22 [18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, [19] because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. [20] For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, [21] because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. [22] Professing to be wise, they became fools.
The ultimate philosopher on life is God. He effectively declares I am the Truth and there is no other. Truth IS NOT Relative. Truth IS Absolute because He is and there is no other.
Jesus and His Word are so synonymous that Jesus is the Word of God. John 1:1-5
Notice the scripture doesn’t say that Jesus is called the Word of God. He is the Word of God.
Truth isn’t analytically received! We can’t break down a statement of Truth and assess whether it is Truth. It isn’t mentally assimilated. Jesus asked Peter, Who do you say I am. When Peter identified Jesus as the Christ, Jesus said to Him that flesh and blood hadn’t revealed it to him. The Father had revealed it to him.
Truth is revealed to our spirit not to our minds. Truth comes from the Father and is given by the Holy Spirit Universities cannot reveal Truth to us we need the Holy Spirit for that
Into what does the Holy Spirit guide us?? John 16:5-13 ALL TRUTH Paul told the Corinthians he did not come to them with wisdom but with Holy Spirit power
1Co 2:1-5 [1] And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. [2] For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. [3] I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. [4] And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, [5] that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
The ‘blessing’ instituted by the Lord, is a way we can sow light, health, deliverance, prosperity and success into the lives of our families. It was viewed with great significance in the Old Testament but we have little regard for it in our current culture. That needs to change.