I looked at Righteousness beginning on March 26th through April 16th and I have found another area that goes along with it, Safety Assured to the Righteous. So today I will take a look into it to learn more. But first Pastor Hoekstra and his writing on Grace and our daily life as one who lives moment by moment through the changed Life with GOD in Christ now our center. Then I will pick up on the targeted subject matter and should the LORD give more insight I will add there and then.
"More on Bondage versus Liberty"
"But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away (for those) in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their (calloused and stony) heart. Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (2Corinthians 3:14-17)
"When within the New Covenant of Grace, which depends upon living by the Spirit of the LORD, produces Liberty: "where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is Liberty." The old covenant produces bondage in those who attempt to live under it, because it provides no resource for meeting its demands. In our last meditation, we looked at the bondage of secrecy (a state of separation) that results from living by man's sufficiency. Spiritual blindness is another bondage that comes from living under the Law. And because blindness and deftness of spiritual things work side by side and hand to hand, those help within this state are ignorant to the Truth and Grace's of GOD and GOD's workings.
The Israelites were blinded by a veil that resulted from hardness (blindness) of heart. "But their minds were hardened. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament [that is, the old covenant] ." This hardness is related to self-sufficiency caused by a misunderstanding, misinterpretation of the Oracles of GOD. John, the Baptist, held forth the required Righteous standards of GOD and called the people to repentance for their (religious economic political and self dependency) sins. "And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of (these and other) sins" (Luke 3:3). John was aware that many held a self-sufficient reliance in their ancestry (their blood-line link with Abraham). "Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'" (Luke 3:8). Jesus also encountered this same hardness of heart as He preached. "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" (John 8:33). Like the self-righteous Pharisee (and indeed the self raised elite, or so they thought, a so called upper class of Jewish social religious society), these people thought they were better than others and had no need for repentance. "He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous . . . the Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men' " (Luke 18:9, 11). Many people today rely upon their religious heritage to give them an acceptable standing with the LORD. Under the false veneer of Law and religion. Just as those who said one thing and did another all together as these Jews did.
Such hardness of heart leaves them blind. They cannot see as GOD sees. GOD tells them of their need, but they will not reach out to the Him for help. How tragic this is, because He alone is able to remove their blindness. "When one turns to the LORD, the veil is taken away in Christ."
Safety of the Righteous assured,
Psalm 91:5-10 "You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place— the Most High, is my refuge— no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent."
Psalm 112:1-6, 7-9 "Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who greatly delights in His commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous. It is well with the man who deals generously and lends; who conducts his affairs with justice. For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever.
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn is exalted in honor."
Psalm 121:1-4 "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He Who keeps Israel (the Christ centered one) will neither slumber nor sleep."
Proverbs 1:29-33 "Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, they would have none of My counsel and despised all My reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster."
Proverbs 3:13-26 "Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of Life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes, for the LORD Will be your confidence and Will keep your foot from being caught."
Proverbs 12:15-23 "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight. A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly."
Proverbs 21:21-31 "Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find Life, righteousness, and honor. A wise man scales the city of the mighty and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. "Scoffer" is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. The desire of the sluggard kills him, for his hands refuse to labor. All day long he craves and craves, but the righteous gives and does not hold back. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent. A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways. No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the LORD."
Isaiah 32:15-20 "Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is deemed a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people Will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. And it will hail when the forest falls down, and the city will be utterly laid low. Happy are you who sow beside all waters, who let the feet of the ox and the donkey range free."
Jeremiah 23:5-6 "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which He will be called: 'The LORD is our Righteousness.'"
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