The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Luke 1:5-6, 20,
"In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." ... "now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time."
Here is an observation by Luke of Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, and his mother, Elizabeth. They were both "upright in the sight of God". Quite a statement to be made on any one's behalf! I can't begin to fathom the notion of being considered "upright in the sight of God"! Can you? Think of it for a moment! Nonetheless, I certainly believe the Scriptures and so accept that this couple enjoyed a standing with God that is quite remarkable.
How did they get that way? Some might point to another observation of Luke, that they observed "all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." This conclusion might find conflict with Paul's observation, "no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." Romans 3:20. Additionally, we find Zechariah in trouble for doubting what the Lord had to say to him through Gabriel. How are we to understand these things taken as a whole?
In short, God's grace. God has decided, determined, that all who will embrace him in faith will have a good standing with him, an "upright" standing. We learn of this through the account of Abraham. In Genesis 15:6 we read, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness." Paul quotes this verse and informs us it was written for our benefit, that we will have a good standing before God if we believe in him, "The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:23-24.
It is through the grace of God in determining we will have a good standing with him based on embracing him in faith. Zechariah and Elizabeth observed all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly because they had embraced God in faith and held a good standing with God. Does it mean they were "perfect" in every way? Not at all. As noted above, although Zechariah was upright in the sight of God and observed God's commands and regulations, he had his moments of doubt. So did Abraham when he felt the need to lie about Sarah. So did David when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband murdered. So did the apostle Peter when he denied the Lord three times and acted hypocritically around the Gentiles, etc.
We don't achieve an upright standing with God by "observing all the Lord's commandments and regulations blamelessly." We achieve an upright standing with God through faith. Does our faith transform us into perfect people? Only in God's eyes. It is before his sense of justice we are faultless. We still have our moments when we can disappoint God, ourselves and others, just as all who are acknowledged in the Scriptures because of their faith. Just like Zachariah and Elizabeth.
If we desire to be upright in the sight of God, all we need do is embrace him in faith. This will bring us the same standing with God as the great patriarch of faith, Abraham.
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
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