Daily Devotional For Thursday, June 13, 2024
We are making our way through the Bible looking at some of the questions that are asked either by people or by God. For today, thoughtful Thursday, we are going to look at a question that King David asks in Psalm 119:9a, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” (ESV). Unlike some of the questions we have already looked at, in this case, David gives us the answer in Psalm 119:9b, “By guarding it according to Your word” (ESV). Why is this true? David tells us in later in this same Psalm. Look at Psalm 119:11, “I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (ESV).
God in His word does not attempt to answer every single question we have, but He does give the answers to the questions that we need the most. This is the point of 2 Peter 1:3, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (ESV). Everything that we need in this life, God has covered for us in His word. Purity is something that is waning in today’s world, even among people who call themselves Christians.
More and more people who call themselves Christians live together, are sexually active, use recreational drugs, use profanity and foul language, get drunk and etc. There are even pastors who no longer preach on God’s view and the biblical view of purity. The issue is holiness. Purity flows out of holiness. The way a person keeps themselves pure is through holiness. As Christians, we have a personal responsibility to walk in holiness. I think the main reason preachers no longer preach about sin and holiness and many Christians do not strive for holiness is that we no longer take sin seriously. Sin is an attack against God.
In a book the staff is reading titled The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges, he writes these words:
“Are we willing to call sin “sin” not because it is big or little, but because God’s law forbids it? We cannot categorize sin if we are to live a life of holiness. God will not let us get away with that kind of attitude. now. Will you begin to look at sin as an offense against a holy God, instead of as a personal defeat only? Will you begin to take personal responsibility for your sin, realizing that as you do, you must depend on the grace of God? And will you decide to obey God in all areas of life, however insignificant the issue may be?” (Source: Jerry Bridges, The Pursuit of Holiness, Kindle Edition, p. 8).
The reason the Bible or God’s Word is enough to keep us pure and holy is what 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says about it: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, (17) that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (ESV).
Questions To Consider
- Do you take seriously every sin you commit or do you overlook some of them? Why?
- Since sin is an offense against God, will you do two things: first, see it as such and second, take personal responsibility for your sin? Why or why not?
- Which of your sins do you tend to rationalize (i.e., make up rational lies about them), justify, excuse, ignore or you do them so habitually, you no longer see them?
Scripture To Mediate On: 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (ESV).
Prayer To Pray: “Dear Jesus, before I can say anything else I must confess that I do not take my all personal sins seriously. Some I am hard on myself and others I overlook. As the verse above says, I have been bought by You for a price — Your death on the cross. This shows me how seriously You take all sin and therefore, how seriously I should too. Convict me to see sin as You see it so that I see You as You are — not who I think You are. I ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen!”
I love you Southside!—Pastor Kelly