Draw Close To GOD ... Part Three

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

Additional Theme scripture

“Therefore, if someone knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him” [James 4:17]

“Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.” [John 9:41]

Quick series recap

We are continuing in the next of the series of posts digging down into Phil 4:8-9. We have arrived at ‘just’ – third in the list of character attributes by the Apostle Paul to the Philippian congregation of believers.

Part Three:

ü whatever things are just

Greek word: dikaios

Definitions: “equitable (in character or act); by implication, innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively): —just, meet, right(-eous).” [Strong’s Definitions G1349]

To expound a little more on the definition:

Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines δίκαιος / dikaios: “Just, Justly:

was first used of persons observant of dike, "custom, rule, right," especially in the fulfillment of duties towards gods and men, and of things that were in accordance with right. The Eng. word "righteous" was formerly spelt "rightwise," i.e., (in a) straight way. In the NT it denotes "righteous," a state of being right, or right conduct, judged whether by the Divine standard, or according to human standards, of what is right. Said of God, it designates the perfect agreement between His nature and His acts (in which He is the standard for all men).”

Once again, we are called to a strict moral code. We are invited to be ‘rightwise’ or ‘righteous’. We may have less issue with being upright and truthful than to imagine ourselves as being righteous. Some in our society, find ‘righteous’ to be a judgmental character flaw, someone who has a high opinion of themselves, ‘holier than thou’. That assessment may well be true of we are ‘flaunting’ our SELF righteousness. However, remember we are not to see ourselves as righteous. We pray our GOD will see us as such. We are to try and live our quiet lives in a righteous way from what we have observed in the Bible as examples of righteous character. Of course, as always, the example of Christ, the foundation of the Christian faith, is premier as the pinnacle of righteousness. We learn volumes as we read of HIS behavior in many interactions with people. In HIS teachings. HE was visionary as HE followed HIS Father’s leading by choosing 12 Apostles, 11 of which would survive HIM and who embodied all things necessary to carry on HIS work. The master plan was to replicate themselves exponentially until disciples would be following CHRIST’s example for millennia making disciples to carry on the LORD’s righteous teachings and acts.

Now, if living our lives in a quiet righteous manner is perceived by others in a negative way it is on them. We follow our LORD best we can. HE was the first to inform us if they hated HIM they would likewise hate us. If they reviled HIM so the same would be our plight. ““But I say to you who are listening: Continue to love your enemies, to do good to those hating you, 28 to bless those cursing you, to pray for those who are insulting you.”” [Luke 6:27-28]

Our response to those who live contrariwise to our lives --- according to Christ --- is to do good to them, to bless them and to pray for them. While this may be near impossible at times doing so would be a quintessential witness of righteous living.

Do we begin to understand the difficult task of knowing and doing what is right and the serious consequence to not doing it? --- It is a sin.

As we see the progression of the ‘whatever things’ the moral bar seems to go higher. We started off with whatever things are true …. then honest…character markers that are already challenging but now we add righteous. But, if you are living true and honest then righteous follows. But look what is coming up… pure, lovely, virtue. Do we aspire to them or are they a natural [or supernatural] progression as we build our character in conscientious compliance to each of the challenges as written? With physical muscle building, it is only through tension and practice that we build strength and then endurance. And so, our character. Though we do have GOD [our coach] working intimately with us via HOLY SPIRIT as we set upon this course, still there is this invitation, to consider these things. In our physical life character building is a work in progress. It is a daily work out in the gym of life to build and maintain our character through tension and practice resulting in strength of character that endures in all things. Practice makes as perfect as we can be now.

Conclusion:

As we consider the gravity of James 4:17 and John 9:41 above we are reminded that if we know what is right and do not do it we sin. Likewise Jesus, HIMself, notes once we ‘see’ or ‘get it’ if we do not do what is right then our sin remains. That is why our homework is important.

Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you

©Lightwritingmatters 2015

©Lightwritingmatters 2015