"When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; Walk [habitually] before Me [with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence], and be blameless and complete [in obedience to Me]" (Genesis 17:1, AMP).
A while back, I overheard a conversation between two young men; both were wondering how a person can be and remain holy in a world that daily encourages you to exhibit and enjoy every self-indulgent pleasure one desires. Of course, they knew the Scripture in Psalm 119:9-11, which describes how a young man can keep his way pure, but they feel it is increasingly becoming difficult to discern the way of the Lord from the world system. To them, many Pastors and children of God have been won over by the kingdom of darkness to subvert the principles of God as written in the Bible.
They were not wrong, in light of some of the teaching coming from the pulpits! The above Scripture in Amplified Version puts in parentheses: "with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence". This explains what the LORD was saying to Abraham: he is important to Him, and for that reason he must walk perfectly before Him, bearing in mind that he is in His presence. This means, if he chooses to walk outside of God's commands, he has left His presence. Understand that at this time, Abraham was wealthy, wielded a lot of influence among the people and was famous. Despite these achievements, God came to him and told him to walk with integrity (blameless) before Him.
As we embark on a new chapter with the LORD this year, we must walk before Him in integrity, be blameless and in complete obedience to Him. It is not about garnering more wealth, fame and influence, but our walk with Him must mature even as the Day of His Return draws nearer! God is particular about us living a life of obedience and holiness to and for Him. He is not coming to harvest the things we had done, He is coming to harvest the souls that lived for Him.
Recently, someone remarked that he needs to live many more years to finish his assignment on earth, so he can hear the LORD say at the end, "welcome My faithful servant"! That is erroneous thinking. Beloved, it is not about the things you do for Him that gives you entrance into the eternal dwellings of God, but your nature, who you truly are! The nature with which you do the things that you do. What nature do you carry? Are you still carrying the nature of the old man (sinful nature)? The old man cannot operate or understand the nature of God.
You claim to be born again, carrying the nature of the New man, but you exhibit the character of the old man, there is a problem with your confession: "Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21, AMP). We must not make excuses for such behaviours.
The sinful nature (old man) itself must not be pampered or ignored but it must be put to death. If not, when the conditions are right, it will rise up again and begin to display its works. Such a person, no matter the wealth, fame or influence such has gathered, will not inherit the Kingdom of God! "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites" (Galatians 5:24, AMP). This is very important! That pride, arrogance, malice, gossip, envy, masturbation, anger, critical spirit, jealousy and the like that you secretly carry in your heart (the works of the old man) must be put to death, or it might cost you everything.
You may argue, this is the reason God gave us Grace. True: "For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [with a purpose that reflects spiritual maturity] in this present age..." (Titus 2:11-12, AMP). Grace has not been given to us for us to excuse the works of the old man (flesh, sinful nature). But to empower us, to teach us responsibility and constraint.
Finally, we have been liberated by Jesus Christ into freedom; but not freedom that will cost us our souls: "For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness)..." (Galatians 5:13a, AMP). Beloved, as we live our lives daily for Him, we must not forget what matters most to Him, You! Make up your mind to live a life daily that honours and brings pleasure to the heart of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is pleasing to Him.
God bless you. Happy New Year!
A while back, I overheard a conversation between two young men; both were wondering how a person can be and remain holy in a world that daily encourages you to exhibit and enjoy every self-indulgent pleasure one desires. Of course, they knew the Scripture in Psalm 119:9-11, which describes how a young man can keep his way pure, but they feel it is increasingly becoming difficult to discern the way of the Lord from the world system. To them, many Pastors and children of God have been won over by the kingdom of darkness to subvert the principles of God as written in the Bible.
They were not wrong, in light of some of the teaching coming from the pulpits! The above Scripture in Amplified Version puts in parentheses: "with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence". This explains what the LORD was saying to Abraham: he is important to Him, and for that reason he must walk perfectly before Him, bearing in mind that he is in His presence. This means, if he chooses to walk outside of God's commands, he has left His presence. Understand that at this time, Abraham was wealthy, wielded a lot of influence among the people and was famous. Despite these achievements, God came to him and told him to walk with integrity (blameless) before Him.
As we embark on a new chapter with the LORD this year, we must walk before Him in integrity, be blameless and in complete obedience to Him. It is not about garnering more wealth, fame and influence, but our walk with Him must mature even as the Day of His Return draws nearer! God is particular about us living a life of obedience and holiness to and for Him. He is not coming to harvest the things we had done, He is coming to harvest the souls that lived for Him.
Recently, someone remarked that he needs to live many more years to finish his assignment on earth, so he can hear the LORD say at the end, "welcome My faithful servant"! That is erroneous thinking. Beloved, it is not about the things you do for Him that gives you entrance into the eternal dwellings of God, but your nature, who you truly are! The nature with which you do the things that you do. What nature do you carry? Are you still carrying the nature of the old man (sinful nature)? The old man cannot operate or understand the nature of God.
You claim to be born again, carrying the nature of the New man, but you exhibit the character of the old man, there is a problem with your confession: "Now the practices of the sinful nature are clearly evident: they are sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality (total irresponsibility, lack of self-control), idolatry, sorcery, hostility, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions [that promote heresies], envy, drunkenness, riotous behavior, and other things like these. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21, AMP). We must not make excuses for such behaviours.
The sinful nature (old man) itself must not be pampered or ignored but it must be put to death. If not, when the conditions are right, it will rise up again and begin to display its works. Such a person, no matter the wealth, fame or influence such has gathered, will not inherit the Kingdom of God! "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites" (Galatians 5:24, AMP). This is very important! That pride, arrogance, malice, gossip, envy, masturbation, anger, critical spirit, jealousy and the like that you secretly carry in your heart (the works of the old man) must be put to death, or it might cost you everything.
You may argue, this is the reason God gave us Grace. True: "For the [remarkable, undeserved] grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to reject ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible, upright, and godly lives [with a purpose that reflects spiritual maturity] in this present age..." (Titus 2:11-12, AMP). Grace has not been given to us for us to excuse the works of the old man (flesh, sinful nature). But to empower us, to teach us responsibility and constraint.
Finally, we have been liberated by Jesus Christ into freedom; but not freedom that will cost us our souls: "For you, my brothers, were called to freedom; only do not let your freedom become an opportunity for the sinful nature (worldliness, selfishness)..." (Galatians 5:13a, AMP). Beloved, as we live our lives daily for Him, we must not forget what matters most to Him, You! Make up your mind to live a life daily that honours and brings pleasure to the heart of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ. This is pleasing to Him.
God bless you. Happy New Year!
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