Category: Christianity

The Rules of God Are Protective



If you are like me, you hate arbitrary rules. You question why they exist and usually chalk it up to misuse of power.

When it comes to the rules and laws of men, this is often an accurate assessment.

Many of us are quick to dismiss regulations, whether they come from society, parents, or even religious texts, as unnecessary restrictions on our freedom.

But as far as Biblical law is concerned, there’s more to these laws than meets the eye.



The Human Tendency to Rebel

We all have a rebellious streak. When faced with rules we don’t like or understand, our first instinct is often to reject them.

This is purely natural.

We might view rules as:

  • Unnecessary constraints
  • Overly controlling measures
  • Obstacles to be ignored or eliminated

This knee-jerk reaction isn’t limited to societal laws or parental guidelines.

Even divine commandments found in religious scriptures can fall to our skepticism.

But as we will see, if we look deep into the purpose of the test, the reason for the law will become apparent.



Rash Judgments

Sometimes our quick dismissal of rules we don’t agree with stems from a place of arrogance.

We assume we know better than the authorities tasked with creating and enforcing these regulations.

While this might be true with man made laws, it cannot be correct when it comes to the laws of God.

This attitude ignores the possibility that there might be well-thought-out reasons behind restrictions that aren’t immediately apparent to us.



A Rational Perspective on God’s Laws

When it comes to divine commandments, we have to use a different perspective than with the law of man.

Unlike human-made laws, which can be flawed or self-serving, God’s laws are described as perfect, rational, and ultimately beneficial.

Consider Deuteronomy 6:24:

“And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.”

God’s laws serve a greater purpose beyond mere restriction. They are designed for our ultimate good and well-being.

And in truth, many times good comes from restriction.

We place restrictions on our diet and train to better our bodies.

God places restrictions on our lives to better our lives – even though it seems like we are just missing out on all the enjoyment.



The Wisdom Behind God’s Laws

God’s laws aren’t random or pointless.

They are rational.
They are logical.

They’re crafted with wisdom that is not obvious to us, though we can undercover it with study.

God’s Law and divine statutes are filled with:

  1. Rationality and reasonableness
  2. Inherent wisdom
  3. Justice and fairness
  4. Long-term benefits for adherents

Human laws frequently fall short of these ideals, divine commandments are described as consistently aiming for our best interests.

The law of God improves the lives of men.



Practical Benefits of Following God’s Laws

Obedience to divine commandments isn’t just about spiritual improvements – it can have benefits in our daily lives that can be felt, seen and sometimes even measured.

The Bible teaches that following the laws of God can/will:

  • Improve our overall quality of life
  • Potentially extend our lifespan
  • Provide guidance in complex scenarios
  • Create peace in communities



The Protective Nature of God’s Laws

When we look deeper into the purpose of God’s laws, we discover a hidden truth: God’s commandments often serve as a protective barrier against the harmful consequences of sin.

The laws of God are divine guardrails, designed to keep us on a safe path.

For instance, the law against adultery isn’t meant to restrict our sexual freedom, but to protect the sanctity of marriage, prevent emotional trauma, and maintain family stability.

Similarly, laws against theft and dishonesty aren’t mindless limitations, but safeguards for social trust and economic fairness – preserving the social fabric within a. Moral,God-fearing nation.

Even those dietary laws found in Leviticus and other passages are early forms of public health measures, protecting Israel from foodborne illnesses found in weird animals in times before we even knew about the dangers these foods possessed.

By obeying the law of God, we’re not just blindly following rules, but actively shielding ourselves from the practical consequences of sin.

With this perspective, God’s laws are seen for what they truly are: behavioral guidelines based on rationality and wisdom.



Conclusion: Rational Thought

We must learn to step back and consider the purpose of the law of God. By doing this, by understanding the reasons behind the laws, we can bolster our motivation to obey.

Instead of obeying out of blind adherence, we can obey out of understanding.

That understanding of the law makes it more tolerable to obey the laws that are extraordinarily difficult to obey such as the laws of sexual morality and management of material possessions.

If we approach the text with a searching mindset, hunting the reasons behind the laws, we can discover wisdom and benefits we hadn’t previously considered.

The next time you encounter a rule that seems pointless or overly restrictive, pause and ask yourself: Could there be a greater purpose behind this that I’m not seeing?

You might be surprised by what you discover.

“Remember Me”: The Profound Meaning Behind Christ’s Words at the Last Supper



In the final hours before His crucifixion, Jesus shared a meal with His disciples that would become known as the Last Supper.

During this moment, He uttered words that have echoed through centuries of Christian worship: “Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19).

So simple and so profound – and so severely misunderstood by the common religionist.

How easy it is to confuse what Christ is actually saying with what we want Him to say.

While these words might seem to call for a general remembrance of Christ, a closer examination reveals a much more specific and profound meaning.



The Context of Christ’s Command

To understand the full significance of Jesus’ words, we must consider their context:

  1. The Passover Setting: The Last Supper took place during the Jewish Passover, a biblical feast commemorating God’s deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt.
  2. The Impending Crucifixion: Jesus spoke these words on the eve of His death, fully aware of the sacrifice He was about to make. With that impending death in full view of our Savior, He spoke some of His last words.
  3. The Symbols Used: Jesus chose bread and wine as tangible representations of His body and blood. Note that these were the only emblems used.



Why This Is Not About General Remembrance

While remembering Christ in all aspects of His life and ministry is important, the specific context of the Last Supper points to a more focused remembrance:

  1. Explicit Connection to His Death: Jesus directly linked the bread and wine to His body and blood, saying, “This is my body given for you” and “This cup is the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:19-20).
  2. Paul’s Interpretation: In 1 Corinthians 11:26, Paul explains, “For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” This clearly emphasizes the focus on Christ’s death.
  3. The New Covenant: Jesus referred to the cup as “the new covenant in my blood” (Luke 22:20), pointing to the sacrificial nature of His impending death.

These are the components of the Lord’s Supper that Christ wanted us to focus on. Notice how simple and concise these emblems and mediations are.



The Significance of Remembering Christ’s Death

Focusing on Christ’s death during the Lord’s Supper is crucial for several reasons:

  1. Central to the Gospel: Christ’s death on the cross is the cornerstone of Christian faith. It is the means of our salvation (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Without the death of Christ, there is no Christianity.
  2. Reminder of God’s Love: It serves as a reminder of the extent of God’s love for humanity (John 3:16). God loved the world so much that He was willing to save it even though this would require the death of Christ on the cross.
  3. Call to Self-Examination: Remembering Christ’s sacrifice piques our mind and pushes us to examine our own lives and relationship with God (1 Corinthians 11:28).
  4. Proclamation of Faith: Partaking in the Lord’s Supper is a public declaration of faith in Christ’s atoning work (1 Corinthians 11:26).

These are the components of faith that we focus on when remembering Christ.



Related Scriptures and Their Significance

To continue on this line, there are other scriptural references looking forward to the life and death of Christ. Even those passages stand to reflect the death of Christ – they focus on the savior.

  1. Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”

    This passage notes that Christ’s death was a sacrifice.
  2. Hebrews 9:22: “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”

    This verse shows the necessity of Christ’s blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins.
  3. Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.“

Conclusion: A Focused Remembrance

When Jesus said, “Remember me” and “Do this in remembrance of me,” He was not calling for a general recollection of His life and teachings.

He didn’t want you to remember that He wore sandals, had to wash his feet or that He ate bread.

Instead, He was instituting a specific practice focused on His sacrificial death.

The Lord’s Supper exists as a somber and repeated (weekly) reminder of the price Christ paid for our redemption. That is what we are to remember.

If we want to honor Christs instructions regarding this event, we have to meditate on His death.

Proverbs 20:20

The command to honor one’s father and mother is deeply rooted in Christian tradition and values.

It is one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:12) and is repeated in the New Testament (Ephesians 6:2-3). 

Honoring parents involves showing them respect, obedience, care, and thankfulness for their sacrifices in raising us when we were children. 

Cursing or dishonoring parents was considered a grave sin in ancient Israelite society. In some cases it was punishable by death.

God took the treatment of parents very seriously, as He still does today.

This is an eternal principle. 

Practical Application

While the proverb uses vivid imagery, its principle remains relevant today. Honoring one’s parents is not just a cultural tradition but a moral imperative with practical benefits:

  1. Strengthens Family Bonds: Showing respect and care for parents fosters strong family relationships and a sense of belonging.
  2. Teaches Gratitude: Recognizing the sacrifices and efforts of parents instills gratitude and humility.
  3. Provides Wisdom: Parents can impart valuable life lessons and wisdom gained through experience.
  4. Ensures Care in Old Age: Children who honor their parents are more likely to care for them in their later years, fulfilling a moral obligation.
  5. Sets an Example: Honoring parents models behavior for future generations, perpetuating positive family values.

We all have a responsibility, no matter where we are and no matter how old we are, to honor our parents at every stage of their lives.

Let’s take this responsibility seriously.

Conduct Yourselves like men

Proverbs 10:9

He who walks with integrity walks securely,
But he who perverts his ways will become known.

Pr 10:9

Want to live a worry-free and carefree life?

Live with integrity.

You’ll never have to remember your actions, or constantly consider if you covered up your sin or not. 

If you pervert your ways in life, business or faith, it will eventually be found out. It will eventually be made known. If not in this life, in the next life where “God will bring into judgment every secret thing”. 

The way you walk is secure if you act with integrity. Your path is strong and set. No one will be able to catch you in deception or sin. 

Be like Daniel who was so full of integrity that his political enemies could not find anything to accuse him of unless it was concerning his God. Nothing could be brought against Daniel. 



His enemies searched but still could find nothing to accuse him.

Imagine if that could be said of those holding political office today.

If you dig for 5 minutes you can find dirt on anyone you want. 

But even though Daniel’s enemies searched, they could not find anything against him. He walked with integrity, so he walked securely. 

Even though his enemies attempted to pervert the sword of government to kill him, his integrity and faithfulness to God would save Him, as God would close the mouths of the lions. 

The way to walk securely is to walk with integrity. Do the right thing even when alone. Remove yourself from tempting situations as rapidly as possible. Go to war with your own sins and weaknesses and drive them from your mind.

Conduct yourselves like men. 

Lying: Key Verses To Know

Verse 1: Proverbs 12:22
“The LORD detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

Trust


Lies corrode trust, and trust is the foundation of all relationships. In the Proverbs, we find a clear directive that the Lord hates lying lips. To avoid the sin of lying, we must understand the grave consequences it carries.

Verse 2: Ephesians 4:25
“Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,’ for we are members of one another.”

Honesty as a Strategy


In Ephesians, we are told to speak the truth with one another. This verse highlights an important strategy: honesty is not merely a moral virtue but a practical one.

Verse 3: Proverbs 6:16-19
“These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.”

The Sin of Lying in Perspective


Proverbs outlines seven abominations, and a lying tongue is among them. It’s an abomination to God.

To avoid the sin of lying, we must recognize its gravity. Lying is not just a small transgression. God hates it.

Verse 4: Colossians 3:9-10
“Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

The Transformation


Colossians encourages us to remove the old self and out on the new man. This transformation involves not only personal growth but also the rejection of dishonesty.

Verse 5: Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.”

Consequences of Deceit


Proverbs underscores that falsehood does not go unpunished. This is a vital strategic lesson – in the long run, honesty prevails

Proverbs 12:22, “The LORD detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy.”

Page 4 of 39
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 … 39