Truly Blessed

Truly Blessed

Psalm 119:1–8 ESV

1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3 who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 4 You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. 5 Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! 6 Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. 7 I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. 8 I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

Introduction

"Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!"

This passage is a testament to the power of obedience, the beauty of sanctification, and a call to a life of devotion.

It is a reminder that our walk with the Lord is not a sprint, but a marathon, a continual process of growing closer to Him through obedience to His Word.

It’s been said "A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t."

This quote, simple yet profound, reminds us of the importance of constantly immersing ourselves in God's Word, of making it our daily bread.

For it is through this immersion that we find the strength to walk the path of righteousness, to live lives of obedience, and to receive the divine blessings of grace and mercy.

So, let us now turn our attention to the first main point of our sermon today: Distinguishing Salvation and Sanctification.

Distinguishing Salvation and Sanctification

In the realm of faith, there are two terms that often come up, causing a bit of confusion among believers and non-believers alike.

These terms are salvation and sanctification.

They are not interchangeable, though they are closely related.

They are two distinct aspects of our relationship with God, and understanding them can greatly enhance our walk with Him.

Salvation, in the simplest terms, is the act of being saved.

It is the moment when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, acknowledging that He died on the cross for our sins.

This act of acceptance, of faith, is what brings us into the family of God.

It is a gift, freely given by God, and cannot be earned through good deeds or moral behavior.

It is by grace we have been saved, through faith, and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God.

Sanctification, on the other hand, is the process of becoming more like Christ.

It is the journey we embark on after we have been saved, a journey of spiritual growth and maturity.

It involves the transformation of our hearts and minds, as we learn to live according to God's Word and His ways.

Unlike salvation, which is a one-time event, sanctification is a lifelong process.

It is not about achieving perfection, but about growing in holiness, day by day, as we walk with the Lord.

Now that we have a basic understanding of these two terms, let's look at how they relate to Psalm 119:1-8.

This passage speaks of the blessings that come from walking in the law of the Lord, from keeping His testimonies, and from seeking Him with our whole heart.

It is a call to obedience, to faithfulness, and to a life of devotion to God.

The first aspect of this passage that we can connect to our understanding of salvation and sanctification is the idea of being blameless.

The psalmist writes, "Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord!"

This idea of being blameless is not about being perfect or without sin, but about being justified, about being made right with God.

This is the essence of salvation.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are justified, we are made blameless in the eyes of God, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Christ has done for us.

The second aspect of this passage that we can connect to our understanding of salvation and sanctification is the idea of keeping God's testimonies.

The psalmist writes, "Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart."

This idea of keeping God's testimonies is about living according to His Word, about allowing His truth to guide our thoughts, words, and actions.

This is the essence of sanctification.

As we grow in our faith, as we walk with the Lord, we learn to keep His testimonies, to live according to His Word.

This is not a one-time event, but a lifelong process of spiritual growth and maturity.

The third aspect of this passage that we can connect to our understanding of salvation and sanctification is the idea of walking in God's ways.

The psalmist writes, "Blessed are those who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!"

This idea of walking in God's ways is about living a life that reflects the character of Christ, about being a light in the world.

This is the essence of sanctification.

As we grow in our faith, as we walk with the Lord, we learn to walk in His ways, to live a life that reflects His love, His grace, and His truth.

The fourth and final aspect of this passage that we can connect to our understanding of salvation and sanctification is the idea of seeking God with our whole heart.

The psalmist writes, "Blessed are those who seek him with their whole heart."

This idea of seeking God with our whole heart is about having a deep, personal relationship with Him, about desiring to know Him more and more.

This is the essence of both salvation and sanctification.

When we accept Christ as our Savior, we enter into a relationship with God.

And as we grow in our faith, as we walk with the Lord, we learn to seek Him with our whole heart, to desire Him above all else.

In conclusion, Psalm 119:1-8 is a beautiful passage that speaks to the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

It is a call to salvation, to justification, to being made right with God.

And it is a call to sanctification, to spiritual growth and maturity, to becoming more like Christ.

As we continue to study this passage, let us remember the importance of both salvation and sanctification in our walk with the Lord.

Let us strive to be blameless, to keep God's testimonies, to walk in His ways, and to seek Him with our whole heart.

Devotion to Obedience

As we continue to reflect on Psalm 119:1-8, we find ourselves drawn to the theme of obedience.

The psalmist's words are a poignant reminder of the importance of living in accordance with God's commands.

This is not a passive act, but an active choice to align our actions, thoughts, and desires with the divine will.

The psalmist begins by extolling the virtues of those who are blameless, those who walk in the law of the Lord.

This is not a call to perfection, but to a life of integrity and righteousness.

It is a life marked by a sincere desire to honor God in all things, to live in a way that reflects His character and His love.

This is not a life devoid of mistakes or failures, but one that continually seeks forgiveness and strives for improvement.

It is a life that recognizes the grace of God and responds with gratitude and obedience.

The psalmist also speaks of those who keep God's testimonies.

This is not merely about following rules, but about embracing God's truth as the guiding principle of our lives.

It is about internalizing His Word, allowing it to shape our values, our decisions, and our relationships.

It is about living in a way that testifies to the transformative power of God's love and grace.

This is not a burdensome task, but a joyful privilege, for in keeping God's testimonies, we find freedom, peace, and fulfillment.

Moreover, the psalmist highlights the importance of seeking God with our whole heart.

This is not a half-hearted pursuit, but a passionate quest for intimacy with the Creator.

It is about longing for His presence, thirsting for His wisdom, and yearning for His guidance.

It is about making God the center of our lives, the source of our joy, and the object of our love.

This is not a solitary endeavor, but a communal journey, for as we seek God, we are drawn closer to one another, united by a common purpose and a shared love.

"Seek" used in this passage carries a connotation of diligent, persistent seeking.

It is used in Deuteronomy 4:29, where Moses exhorts the Israelites to seek the Lord with all their heart and soul.

It is also used in Jeremiah 29:13, where God promises that He will be found by those who seek Him with all their heart.

In both instances, the emphasis is on the intensity and sincerity of the pursuit, underscoring the importance of seeking God with our whole heart.

The psalmist's words also remind us of the need to walk in God's ways.

This is not about following a predetermined path, but about living in tune with God's rhythm, moving to the beat of His heart.

It is about recognizing God's sovereignty, submitting to His authority, and trusting in His wisdom.

It is about allowing God to lead us, guide us, and direct us.

This is not a restrictive lifestyle, but a liberating one, for in walking in God's ways, we find true freedom, true joy, and true peace.

Finally, the psalmist expresses a desire to be steadfast in keeping God's statutes.

This is not a momentary commitment, but a lifelong dedication.

It is about persisting in obedience, even in the face of challenges, trials, and temptations.

It is about remaining faithful to God, even when the world entices us to compromise.

It is about standing firm in our convictions, even when it is unpopular or inconvenient.

This is not a futile effort, but a fruitful endeavor, for in keeping God's statutes, we experience His blessings, His favor, and His approval.

Divine Blessings of Grace and Mercy

In this final point of our sermon, we turn our focus to the Divine Blessings of Grace and Mercy.

The sanctification process, the refining of our character and spiritual growth, is not a solitary endeavor.

It is underpinned by the divine blessings of grace and mercy, gifts from our Heavenly Father that enable us to continue on this path of sanctification.

Grace, the unmerited favor of God, is a gift that we receive not because of our works, but because of God's love for us.

It is this grace that empowers us to live a life pleasing to God, not by our strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.

The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us that it is by grace we have been saved through faith, and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.

This grace is the divine empowerment for sanctification.

Mercy, on the other hand, is God's compassion towards us, His withholding of the judgment we deserve because of our sin.

Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us that the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.

This mercy is the divine provision for our sanctification.

Just remember ”Grace is the good pleasure of God that inclines Him to bestow benefits on the undeserving. Mercy is the act of God that holds back the punishment that our sin deserves."

These divine blessings of grace and mercy are the pillars that uphold our sanctification process.

The first sub-point to consider is the role of grace in our sanctification.

Grace is not merely a one-time gift that we receive at salvation.

It is a continuous flow of divine empowerment that enables us to live a life pleasing to God.

It is the strength that God gives us to overcome temptation, to endure trials, and to grow in Christlikeness.

Grace is the fuel that drives our sanctification.

The second sub-point is the role of mercy in our sanctification.

Mercy is God's compassion towards us, His withholding of the judgment we deserve because of our sin.

It is the assurance that when we stumble and fall in our walk with God, He is ready to pick us up, dust us off, and set us back on the path of righteousness.

Mercy is the safety net that catches us when we fall in our sanctification journey.

In conclusion, the divine blessings of grace and mercy are not just theological concepts to be studied, but practical realities to be experienced in our sanctification process.

They are the divine resources that God has given us to live a life pleasing to Him.

So, let us lean on His grace for strength and depend on His mercy for forgiveness as we continue on this path of sanctification.

Let us remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

Therefore, let us embrace our weakness as an opportunity for God's power to be displayed in us.

Let us live in the reality of God's grace and mercy, and experience the transformative power they bring to our sanctification process.

Conclusion

As we draw this time of sharing and learning to a close, let's remember that our journey with God is just that - a journey.

It's not about perfection, but about progress.

It's about striving each day to walk a little closer in His ways, to love a little deeper, to serve a little better.

And remember, we're not walking this road alone.

We have a God who loves us, who guides us, and who is always there to pick us up when we stumble.

God's Word is our compass, our map, our guidebook on this journey.

It's a wellspring of wisdom, a beacon of hope, and a source of comfort.

So, let's commit to diving deeper into His Word, to seeking His face with all our hearts, and to walking in His ways with steadfastness and joy.

And remember, no matter where you are on this journey, no matter how many times you've stumbled or lost your way, God's love for you is unchanging.

His grace is sufficient, His mercy is new every morning, and His arms are always open wide.

So, let's press on, let's run this race with endurance, and let's keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.

Let's pray!