But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.
2 Timothy 2:19
2 Timothy 2:19
The Lord knows those who are His... This is a statement that brings such peace. He knows me! He knows me! Can you believe it, the Lord God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the Beginning and the End, knows me? I am my beloved's and He is mine! I am my beloved's and his desire is toward me! He has sealed me with the Holy Spirit. He and I are in this thing together, for eternity. Oh, how blessed I am!!!
The foundation of my faith bears this truth that the Lord knows me. It also bears this truth: Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it. Our foundation only stands sure and unshaken, when both truths are evident in our lives. We must be secure in our knowing that the Lord knows us, loves us, and desires us. We also must be secure in our faithfulness to steer clear of sin.
Sure, each one of us have issues of sin we deal with as we are walking out this Christian life, but we must not practice sin. Our lives should not be marked by intentional, practicing sin. I'm guessing that you might be like me in that the Lord has been dealing with me in a particular area of my life. Well, it's my job, today, to exhort you to listen to the voice of the Lord, and do your part to rid yourself of this iniquity, this sin.
Believe me, what the Lord has been talking with me about isn't some "gross" sin, if you will, but SIN IS SIN. We can put levels on sin all day long, but the fact of the matter is, it's still sin. I always try to be obedient to the Lord, and I don't intentionally step out into sin, but sometimes, there are parts of my nature that need to be changed, adjusted, and tamed. I am trying to stay constantly aware of my tendencies toward this particular sin. I'm doing my part, and I know that the Lord is doing His.
I encourage you, today, to do your part. Listen to the Lord, and follow the leading of the Spirit in ridding yourself of that which is keeping you from everything the Lord has for you. I'm on this Way with you. You are not alone, and I know that we can do it!
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tenderhearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32
Scriptures for reference and study: Song of Solomon 6:3; Song of Solomon 7:10; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 John 3
No comments:
Post a Comment