Today's Worship: The Lord desires his beauty reflected in his people!

The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him in James 1:19-21,

 

"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."

 

God has a desire regarding the way we live our lives, the choices we make. It is his desire that we live a "righteous life". There is that which is righteous and that which isn't. There is that which God desires and there is that which isn't.

 

What is a "righteous life"? What does that look like? Our concept of "righteous" is that which is consistent with God's own character and nature. In defining what is righteous or holy versus the profane or sinful, we recognize it is that which reflects our Creator's heart is what is righteous and that which is not, is not.

 

That God wants us to live a righteous life is found in verses such as Romans 8:29, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ involves bringing "about the righteous life that God desires."

 

The beauty of this is found in the character and nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Paul speaks of the "fruit of the Spirit" it is just these very things that make up the righteous life that God desires for each of us. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Here are the qualities that we find so wonderful and compelling. We find ourselves drawn to those who emulate them - because they emulate the beauty of the Lord himself!

 

Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!

Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com