Tag: seek righteousness

27.n. “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”

 

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

 Psalms 138:6    For though the LORD is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.

 Proverbs 3:34  Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

 Isaiah 57:15   For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

 Zephaniah 2:3  Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility;

 James 3:15-18   This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

 A worthy walk before God will be marked by lowliness and gentleness, not a pushy desire to defend our own rights and advance our own agenda. Lowliness is a glorious virtue and means we can be happy and content when we are not in control or having things go our way. “Do not measure His love by your circumstances,” wrote Al Bryant. “If you do, you must, of necessity, reach a false conclusion. Judge not according to the outward appearance. Never reason from your surroundings. Get to the heart of Christ, and reason out from that blessed center. Never interpret His love by your circumstances, but always interpret your circumstances by His love.”

We, as Christians are to keep the unity of the Spirit in a bond of peace.  We allow ourselves to be wronged rather than seeking retribution or revenge.  We don’t create a unity, that is created by the Holy Spirit and we do well to be able to recognize and keep it.  We do all kinds of things to create unity but seldom do we seek the Holy Spirit’s direction and leading of our heart.  

We are confident that this unity is found in Jesus Christ, by the Spirit of God. “We want unity in the truth of God through the Spirit of God. This let us seek after; let us live near to Christ, for this is the best way of promoting unity. Divisions in Churches never begin with those full of love to the Savior.” (Spurgeon)

Just to be clear, I am not saying we should buy into every wind of thought or that we should tolerate obvious sin as though it was not. Let our hearts be humble before God and with meekness and gentleness allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct what we say, think, and do for the honor and glory of Jesus Christ our savior and redeemer.

Uttered Judgement

“He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way.”

“For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.”

“ But the LORD is the true God; he is the living God and the everlasting King. At his wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure his indignation.”

“Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the heat of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken into pieces by him.”

Psalms 76:7  But you, you are to be feared! Who can stand before you when once your anger is rouse?  From the heavens you uttered judgment; the earth feared and was still, when God arose to establish judgment, to save all the humble of the earth.

Psalms 89:7    a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all who are around him?

Jeremiah 10:7    Who would not fear you, O King of the nations? For this is your due; for among all the wise ones of the nations and in all their kingdoms there is none like you.  They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood!  Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men.

Matthew 10:28    And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Revelation 14:7     And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.”

Revelation 15:4    Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

Zephaniah 2:3     Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

Living in the this time of grace and mercy of God does not mean He is not storing up His anger and wrath.  We need to be mindful of what it means to our soul to neglect His word and be complacent in humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying Him.  He is a living God who sees all of our actions and knows all of our thoughts.  Walk worthy of “Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell”.