I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness in the great assembly;
Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth from the great assembly. 
(Psalm 40:9,10)

David is singing the praises of God. He is extolling the righteousness of God to the congregation. He is shouting the good news. But what prompts this outburst of praise? 

When the song begins we find David in the middle of a horrible pit and miry clay. This describes one who is deep down in the middle of depression. He is sinking in despair. There seems to be no rest, nor way of escape.

There was a cry to God for help. David waits patiently for God's answer of mercy. There is a delay in God’s reply. The wait is long! But finally, God lifts him from the sinking pit and sets him high up on a rock.

The Psalmist’s first response is a surrender of will, heart, and life to God. God wanted more than sacrifice and offering. There must be ears (vs. 6) that are tuned to God, and a heart (vs. 8) that the delights in his will. Without this all else is vain.

Along with the consecrated life is a proclamation of God's loving kindness, righteousness, and faithfulness. Gratitude prompts a strong desire to declare God's goodness. Such declarations are made by both the spoken word, and a godly life.

Will you join the Psalmist in shouting the good news to a lost world? A contemplation of the depth of your own sin, the completeness of your restoration, and the wonders of redemption should bring forth praise to God. 

By George Slover

who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:6-9)

God commands us to develop the spirit of Christ. (Vs. 5) Such a selfless spirt promotes unity in the family of God. (Vs. 1-4)  

To fully grasp the spirit of Christ, we must first understand his existence before he appeared in the flesh. (John 1:14)  Though equal to God in glory, Christ did not cling to this state, but willingly laid it aside to come in the likeness of man. He laid aside the honor of His throne and became a man.

There are three virtues that are worthy of our thoughts as we strive to emulate the spirit of Christ. First, he became a servant.  Isaiah (see Isaiah 52:13) prophesied of the suffering servant 700 years before: "He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. (Isaiah 53:11)

Jesus’ attitude toward sinful man was one of complete service. (Matthew 20:28) In pursuit of unity, it is necessary for us to take that position as well. (John 13:1-17) One who serves is one who loses themselves to unselfishly meet the needs of others. Can you imagine a family or a church full of such people?

Second, as a man he became obedient. Repeatedly Jesus reminded his followers of his earthly mission.  "Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:34) Disciples of Christ must have the same spirit.  They are called to be totally given to the Father’s cause. When one is fully given to the will of God there is no room for self-aggrandizement that promotes discord.

Third, Jesus was obedient to his death. Jesus died the death of a condemned criminal. New Testament writers tell us he hung on a “tree”.  (Galatians 3:13) Early disciples were glad to identify with this symbol of shame. (Acts 5:30; 10:39; 13:29)

Do you agree that relationships from family to church would improve if those involved would have this attitude? “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”  (1 John 3:16)  We must be willing to die that others might live. 

Jesus did not come to please himself nor do we find him in the high places of the world. He did not seek his own comfort but the comfort of others. He went about doing good and caring for others. He died so we could enjoy the highest state – to be called children of God. Christ’s disciples must also mind these things.

By George Slover 

 

Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”  (Acts 17:2.3) 

The citizenship of this Thessalonica included a large population of devout Jews. Their prevalence would have greatly influenced the political and moral climate this city. The synagogue would provide a captive audience for Paul. His message would stir the people.

In Thessalonica Paul used three sabbaths to teach about Christ. The basis of his lessons were the Old Testament Scriptures. Following the pattern of the Lord (Luke 24:44-47), Paul most likely appealed to Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets to validate his conclusion.  This would have been passages of Scripture that the Jews were familiar with.

In a logical manner Paul "reasoned" with them about Christ from the Scriptures. This method of “reasoning” would include intelligent discourse and discussion. He was explaining and demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ. His method would have involved an unveiling of the great Old Testament prophecies, and logically connecting them to the life of Christ.

Old Testament prophets promised that it would be necessary for the Messiah to suffer. (Isaiah 53:1-12)  Isaiah and other prophets clearly predicted the coming of a suffering servant. However, this was a truth that the Jews resisted. Their concept of a national deliverance so possessed their minds, that they could not conceive of such. But the Christ needed to suffer to bear man's burden and redeem him from sin. (Hebrews 9:26-28)

The same prophets also predicted that it would be necessary for Christ to rise from the dead. A savior held by the grip of death could not deliver man from sin and death. The Old Testament prophets surely predicted such a victory. (Acts 2:25-31)

Men's hearts have been softened by the marvelous truths revealed in God's word. Such a powerful message can "turn the world upside down" in modern times just as it did in Thessalonica two-thousand years ago. Let us open God’s book and testify to the world that Jesus is the Christ.

By George Slover

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”  (1 Peter 3:3,4)

The message in this context is specifically addressing women; however, there are some principles that would apply to all disciples. True disciples give greater care to adorning the soul, than to the physical body.

Society has always placed a great emphasis on how we look on the outside. Much of the way men and women dress, whether too much or too few clothes, is driven by a desire to impress other humans. In the world, what is on the outside counts far more than what is on the inside.

Peter’s statement here is a common figure of speech known as a Hebraism. (See John 6:27 as another example) Peter is not forbidding the use a bodily adornment, but is asserting its utter worthlessness in comparison to what is on the inside.

God primarily looks at the heart. It is the hidden man of the heart that must be formed into the likeness of Christ. It is on the inside where the word of God does its work, transforming one into something very beautiful.

A truly transformed heart manifests itself by a meek and quiet spirit. Those of a gentle spirit are in control of their emotions. They do not quickly flash into anger. They remain calm and peaceful. They are not motivated by self assertion or constant fault-finding.

Peter says this gentle spirit is “precious”. The word used here is also found in Mark 14:3 of the precious ointment used by Mary to anoint the Lord. Paul also uses the same word  to discourage the use of costly clothing. (1 Timothy 2:9) But the proper adorning of the soul, is of great value in God’s eyes.

When most of our time in energy is devoted to outward adorning , the inward work of God stands still. Instead of growing more heavenly minded we become more earthly minded. If we intend to please God, we must be working on cultivating the spirit and purity of Christ.

By George Slover