The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Isaiah 56:1-2,
"This is what the Lord says:
"Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.'"
Here the Lord tells his people of the need to do what is right, to maintain justice, keep the Sabbath and refrain from doing any evil. His salvation is close at hand and his people need to live a godly lifestyle as it draws near.
The Scriptures have many passages that require God's people to keep laws and live according to the edicts and decrees he sets forth. Consider David's psalm,
"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken." Psalm 15.
These laws, rules and regulations all reflect God's own character and nature. In order for anyone to enter into a reconciliation with him, they need to reflect that character and nature within themselves to be acceptable to him.
However, there is a big problem here. As sinful people (we are all sinners), we are hopelessly incapable of ordering our lives consistent with God's character and nature. We have a sinful fallen nature that prevents us from ordering our lives consistent with what the Lord finds acceptable.
So why does God insist on these impossible expectations? Very simple. He wants us to recognize our sinful condition with the inability to live our lives acceptably before him and to throw ourselves at the feet of his mercy. As Paul told Titus, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." Titus 3:4-5.
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and was entirely acceptable before God. As he offered himself as a sacrifice of atonement on that cross, his righteousness, his acceptability with God the Father became available to us. All he asks is that we embrace him in faith and then what he has becomes ours.
The laws of God play a very important role in this as Paul points out, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:20. No one reaches out for a savior if they don't feel the reality that they need one.
"Maintain justice
and do what is right,
for my salvation is close at hand
and my righteousness will soon be revealed.
Blessed is the one who does this—
the person who holds it fast,
who keeps the Sabbath without desecrating it,
and keeps their hands from doing any evil.'"
Here the Lord tells his people of the need to do what is right, to maintain justice, keep the Sabbath and refrain from doing any evil. His salvation is close at hand and his people need to live a godly lifestyle as it draws near.
The Scriptures have many passages that require God's people to keep laws and live according to the edicts and decrees he sets forth. Consider David's psalm,
"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Whoever does these things
will never be shaken." Psalm 15.
These laws, rules and regulations all reflect God's own character and nature. In order for anyone to enter into a reconciliation with him, they need to reflect that character and nature within themselves to be acceptable to him.
However, there is a big problem here. As sinful people (we are all sinners), we are hopelessly incapable of ordering our lives consistent with God's character and nature. We have a sinful fallen nature that prevents us from ordering our lives consistent with what the Lord finds acceptable.
So why does God insist on these impossible expectations? Very simple. He wants us to recognize our sinful condition with the inability to live our lives acceptably before him and to throw ourselves at the feet of his mercy. As Paul told Titus, "When the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy." Titus 3:4-5.
Jesus Christ lived a sinless life and was entirely acceptable before God. As he offered himself as a sacrifice of atonement on that cross, his righteousness, his acceptability with God the Father became available to us. All he asks is that we embrace him in faith and then what he has becomes ours.
The laws of God play a very important role in this as Paul points out, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God's sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." Romans 3:20. No one reaches out for a savior if they don't feel the reality that they need one.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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