Concerns for the Church (2)

Concerns for the Church

(Pro 3:3 NKJV) Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

(Pro 3:4 NKJV) And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

I have started doing a daily devotion. I used Proverbs as my devotionals. I looked up what today’s proverb was going to be. Today’s devotion has turned into today’s message. After Wednesday night’s Bible study, it just seemed to fit. Let’s read today’s scripture again. This time I will be reading from the CSB.

Proverbs 3:3–4 (CSB)

3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will find favor and high regard

with God and people.

Did you notice that NKJV and the CSB translated mercy/loyalty and truth/faithfulness differently? I looked these words up, in Hebrew word for loyalty can also be translated faithful love or kindness. Another word for mercy is kindness.

In Hebrew faithfulness can be translated trustworthy or truthful. In Hebrew truth can be translated into faithfulness or truthfulness.

So, these words are essentially the same.

My commentary says for these scriptures: These virtues that come from God are to become part of us. Outwardly in our behavior for all to see as an adornment of spiritual beauty:

Matthew 5:16 (CSB)

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

And inwardly as the subject of meditation.

Deuteronomy 6:4–9 (CSB)

4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one., 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead., 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.

Such inward and outward virtues are evidence of the New Covenant salvation.

Jeremiah 31:31–33 (CSB)

THE NEW COVENANT

31 “Look, the days are coming”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 This one will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt—my covenant that they broke even though I am their master”,—the Lord’s declaration. 33 “Instead, this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”—the Lord’s declaration. “I will put my teaching within them and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

What is this covenant? This is where I feel that Wednesday night’s Bible study comes in.

Galatians 3:27–28 (CSB)

SONS AND HEIRS

27 For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ. 28 There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Once we’re saved, we are all equal…

Galatians 4:7 (CSB)

7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then God has made you an heir.

We are adopted by God, God chose us!!

Galatians 4:9 (CSB)

9 But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elements? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

Galatians 4:11 (CSB)

11 I am fearful for you, that perhaps my labor for you has been wasted.

Paul told the Galatians that he thought all his preaching and teaching was worthless.

This is disturbing, because remember what Matthew 7:21–23 (CSB) says:

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, drive out demons in your name, and do many miracles in your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’,,

When I meet God & when you meet God on that glorious day, I want us to hear the words from Matthew 25:23 (CSB)

23 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.’

What do you want to hear?

Remember, Walk in the Spirit…