Obedience to The Truth
Pro. 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the
fear of the LORD men depart from evil.
This is a foundational
combination. Iniquity is not purged in any other way. Accept by mercy,
truth, and the fear of the Lord. It’s a principle of the soul and a principle of
salvation. (Psa 51:6, Jam 2:13,Matt 6:14-15) We cannot be forgiven unless we forgive others, and unless we have mercy
we can not receive it. Its not enough to know the truth we must
obey it. God desires truth in our
inward parts. There must be a purging, pruning, and sanctifying of the
Lord in our hearts by mercy, truth, and the fear of the Lord. For without
holiness no man shall see the Lord (Luke 8:15, Matt 5:8, and Heb
12:14). I need to be reminded and taught the fear of the Lord, but the
motive we serve God is out of gratitude, love and trust.
(Rom 2:4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
He has had mercy on us through Christ, and we in return are to show, and give mercy to others. The time to have mercy is when a person doesn't deserve it!
It was the goodness of God that led me to repentance. When I herd the Gospel. It penetrated my heart. I knew that I was a sinner in need of grace. A. W. Tozer brought to my attention the response the rich young ruler had. He called him good master then asked what good thing could he do that he might have eternal life (Matt 19:16-23). Jesus tried to bring him to the reality that only God is good. But when confronted with truth, the law, and what God requires. His response was I've kept the commandments from my youth! He was morally good in his on eyes. He failed to see the goodness of God.
Paul understood the grace and mercy of God confessing himself to be the least of all people, because he persecuted the Church. But he also said I press on toward the mark forgetting those things that are behind continually reaching forward to the things that are ahead to apprehend, to win Christ (1 Cor 15:9-10, Phil 3:13-14).The Bible says we are to forget some things such as wrongs done to us, and achievements in the flesh see (Phil 3:3-9 and Matt 6:12). Paul was always pressing forward, and reaching ahead. Mercy doesn't hold grudges, but forgives (Jam 2:13). Forgiveness is a choice, and bitterness is a choice, and by obeying the scripture to forgive as Christ forgave us we are changed from glory to glory through faith in Christ.
By pressing forward into the future in obedience we brake the power of the past. As we abide in Christ obeying His commandments it produces fruit in our lives. When God forgave us of our sins for Christ's sake he cast our sins as far as the east is from the west. Our sins can never be found in Christ. Our sins our blotted out (Acts 3:19). The expression to “blot out sins” is taken from the practice of creditors charging their debtors, and when the debt is paid, canceling it, or wholly removing the record. God sees faith in Christ who redeemed us and paid the price we could not pay. The scripture says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11:6). Pressing on into the future breaks the power of the past! In Phil 3 Paul is alluding to the Grecian games of running a race, not to be distracted by what is behind him. To do so a runner in those games would loose there place, and concentration. We are to run this race with patience, and obedience.
(Heb 12:1)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,All have fallen short of the glory of God. We do what we do because we aught to. For who He is, what He has done for us, and a godly fear that moves us to obedience. The scripture says that Noah was not only moved by faith, but also a godly fear in the building, and making of the ark (Heb 11:7). There is a godly reverential fear that we are to cherish in are hearts. No doubt the rich young ruler was sincere and desired eternal life, but like many he was not willing to pay the price. He walked away grieving, not willing to do what Christ had told him. Sell all and follow Me was Christ's command. His possessions possessed him, and he was not willing to give them up. Obedience is the key (Rom 6:14-18).We have been made free from sin to be servants of righteousness. Jesus said, if we really want to know if his doctrine is of God we must obey it (John 7:16). Godliness and obedience is the way God fulfills his promises. Although they are no claim on them whatsoever. God still requires obedience, and submission before we can expect His promises. Truth itself demands obedience.
The fear of God - Nullifies all lesser fears. Faith in God clears the mind and dispels carnal fears. A godly fear resolves oneself to duty, and to never offend God by any means. It would rather bring the displeasure of the world forever than to bring the displeasure of God in the smallest way.
Also it's very important to remember you can't force fruit to grow on a tree no more than you can force the fruit of the Spirit in your heart and life. As already alluded to this race we run is to be ran with patience. We can protect the seed of God that is in our heart, fertilize it with the Word of God every day. Keep the fouls of the air away by resisting the devil. Abide in Christ through daily obedience, and ask specifically, pray believing ,and receive from Him. And in our season there will be much fruit. If we abide, and obey Christ we show, and prove we love Him. Jesus said I Am The Way, The Truth, and The Life no man cometh unto the father but by me (John 14:6).
(Joh 14:14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
(Joh 14:15) If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Pro. 16:6 By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil. Iniquity can only be purged in our lives, and heart as we obey Christ. Jesus is the truth the life and the way follow Him.
The Lord bless you, and keep you as you seek Him.