Friday, August 24, 2007

lifestyle (purity, prayer, righteousness)

 
I find it interesting that the focus of these passages is not on knowing what is right, but living, doing, and working righteousness.  The Pharisees and religious leaders knew the law, and yet they missed the point of it - to glorify God with our lives.  Paul instructs Timothy to live a life that glorifies God.
Luke 11:42 "What sorrow awaits you Pharisees! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore justice and the love of God. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. ... 52 "What sorrow awaits you experts in religious law! For you remove the key to knowledge from the people. You don't enter the Kingdom yourselves, and you prevent others from entering."
2 Timothy 2:3 Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 Soldiers don't get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. 6 And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. ... 15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. ...   22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
 
2 Timothy 3:14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
I also just came to the realization that the disciples wanted to learn how to pray as a result of Jesus's personal example.  Furthermore, when He gave them a prototype prayer, the paramount objective is to bring/give glory to God.
 Luke 11:1 Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."   2 Jesus said, "This is how you should pray:

   "Father, may your name be kept holy.
      May your Kingdom come soon.
    3 Give us each day the food we need,
    4 and forgive us our sins,
      as we forgive those who sin against us.
   And don't let us yield to temptation."

Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that your name will be glorified, and that you will use my life to glorify yourself.  Lord, I pray that you will use me to build your kingdom.  Holy Spirit, please teach me your Word, not so that I will just know it, but that I will live it - to the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Lord, may I be diligent, hard working, faithful, loving, and peaceful.  Lord, please purify and sanctify me as I suffer for the name of Jesus Christ.  I pray in the name of the One True God, Jehovah, and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

No comments:

Post a Comment