Going the Wrong Way on the Right Road

Have you ever found yourself going the wrong way on the right road? What I mean is, you think you are going the right way, because you are on the right road, only to find out that you are going the wrong way. This has happened to me and, to be honest, it can shake you up a bit.

Last year Melinda and I were returning home from preaching for some dear friends in Louisiana. We had enjoyed ourselves with good services, good fellowship and good food. Earlier that days, as we were passing through Natchez, Mississippi, we had stopped and visited an old plantation. We had stepped back in time a hundred and fifty years and played the tourist. The day was beautiful and now we were focused on the drive ahead of us.

Warm sunshine on my left shoulder, the late hours of fellowship, time walking in the sunshine, a lunch and the monotony of the drive started to make me feel a bit drowsy. I looked over to see if Melinda felt like driving, but alas, I was too late! She had succumbed to what I was fighting. So I turned the air up, turned on the stereo and focused on staying awake!

We were driving up Highway 425 toward Bastrop, Louisiana heading toward Monticello, Arkansas. We had traveled this way a few times before, but it was always a while between trips so I knew I had to be careful and pay attention to the road and highway changes, but since I was staying on Highway 425 I felt really comfortable. To stay alert I began to pay more attention to the scenery, although there isn’t a lot to see in that area except fields of crops, and these were just starting to grow in the mid spring weather.

We passed a power plant and I thought to myself, “I don’t remember seeing that before?” However, being old and feeble minded as I am, I figured I just hadn’t noticed it prior to this. Then I began to think, there are several things I don’t remember seeing in the past. I just drove this road a few days ago, I should remember this? Again, I shrugged my shoulders and kept on driving. About that time Melinda woke up and I saw a sign that said, “Monroe 20 miles.”

Melinda immediately said, “Why are we headed to Monroe? Isn’t that the wrong way?” (Where was she twenty minutes earlier?) I replied, “I don’t know!” I started looking for a place to safely get off the road to check out the map. To make a long story short, we were headed toward Monroe, Louisiana which was the opposite direction from which we were suppose to be traveling. Fortunately we had only traveled about five miles the wrong way when we realized our mistake.
As we were backtracking, I asked myself where I had gone wrong? When we got back to the junction that I had missed I noticed it wasn’t well marked. I also noticed, and looking at a map I found I was correct, the highway changed directions ever so slightly, to the point as one wouldn’t notice the change. To stay on the right road I actually had to make a right turn and continue north. However, if I had been paying attention, I would have noticed I was headed in the wrong direction. The first indicator was the sun was no longer shining on my left shoulder, it was on the right side of the car. The scenery was different.  It was very unfamiliar. The road signs would have told me I was on the wrong road.

Last Christmas Jared and Amber, our son and daughter-in-love, came and spent a few days with us. We really enjoyed our time together and one evening we decided to go look at Christmas lights. There is one street in our town that has their lights set to music and you can listen to the music over a radio station and watch the lights blink and flash to the music.

We stopped at Starbucks and got some hot beverages to enjoy on a cold winter night and went to look at lights. After we found the neighborhood we were looking for, we continued to drive around looking at other lights and enjoying our time together. Melinda suggested we go to an upper class area that was built around a golf course. It had been several years since I had been in that area and I had never been there in the dark so it took me a few minutes to locate it again. We wound our way up and down the streets, commenting on both the displays and the beautiful homes until finally we had seen all there was to see.

I began looking for the exit to this community and finally found it. I looked at the street sign and it said, “Hogan,” so I thought, “I know where I am!” This wasn’t the street we had came in on but it would work. I made a left turn and drove a little way to a stop sign. I thought to myself, there shouldn’t be a road here, but I recognize the road and I know where I am. Again I made a left turn and we headed off into the night. Pretty soon I see a sign on my left that indicated we were passing the dump. I commented, I thought that was on the other side of the road and kept on driving. Not long after that there was a sign for Cadron Settlement Park, then there was a bridge and I knew I was on the right road but headed the wrong way. Somehow, wondering the streets looking at lights I had gotten turned around and should have made a right turn on Hogan or a right turn on Highway 64.

You know I have had this happen a few times in my spiritual walk as well. I’m going along living for God and dealing with life. I am doing my best, only to find out that somewhere along the way I had missed a turn or I had made a wrong turn and now I was on the right road but headed the wrong way. I had not left my walk with God, but I had lost direction.

There are indicators that we need to pay attention to that will warn us we are traveling in the wrong direction. Let me list a few: 1) No time to pray. I find myself just too busy right now and will catch it later. 2) Lack of interest in my Bible. I can find time and interest to read the newspaper, Facebook, Yahoo sports but I’m not interested in my Bible. 3) Isolating myself from my spiritual brothers and sisters. I find myself pulling away rather than drawing close. 4) I find money becoming very important to me. Money is necessary in our lives, but the love of money is the root of all evil. When everything becomes about money let, it is a warning. 5) Finding myself alienated from my Pastor and spiritual mentors. No person can survive without a Pastor. I need to trust those who have invested in my life and my walk with God to lead me. I need to turn to them for direction.

Every once in a while it is important to make sure we are on the right road and headed in the right direction. I need to make sure the indicators are telling me that I am going right. I can try and convince myself that I am ok, but I am only fooling myself. Eventually I am going to find myself a long way from where I need to be. I might be on the right road, but am I headed in the right direction?

Holiness and the Word

I am sharing a paper I recently wrote for my college Theology Class, thus the format. I came across some interesting thoughts and felt they might bless you as they blessed me. You might find a new perspective.

Introduction

            There are two words, or subjects, in the Bible that are of great fascination. These are the subjects of Holiness and the “Word.” There is not enough time or space to comprehensively cover these two subjects, for both of them reveals the nature of God to us. However, I would like to share a few thoughts concerning these two subjects that might both enlighten and bless. Holiness can be viewed as a lifestyle of worship and the “Word” can be seen as an action.

Holiness

Theological Definition

What is “holiness?” It is a word that appears frequently, 43 times, in the Bible. In the Old Testament we are instructed to worship God in the beauty of holiness. In the New Testament we are told to follow holiness because it is required of us if we are to see God.

            It is a word which, in the Old Testament, speaks of being set apart or to make sacredly. In the New Testament it signifies the same but goes further in that it speaks of a rightness with God and focuses on conduct and character.

Biblical Foundation

            In First Chronicles King David has led Israel in a great act of worship and honor by bringing the Ark of God to Jerusalem, thereby placing it at the center of the nation’s attention. During the time of sacrifice and thanksgiving, that followed, David delivered a Psalm to Asaph, who was in charge of leading the worship. In this Psalm of Thanksgiving, David encourages Israel to, “Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness,” (1 Chronicles 16:29, King James Version).

            Paul encourages us to respond to the promises of God. The promises were he would be our Father and call us his children if we would separate ourselves from the uncleanliness of the unbeliever. Paul’s direction was, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God,” (2 Corinthians 7:1, King James Version).

            When writing to the Church in Ephesus, Paul instructs, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness,” (Ephesians 4:23-24, King James Version).

            The last time the word holiness is used, in the Bible, is in Hebrews 12:14. The writer of Hebrews wants the reader to understand that holiness is to be pursed. He encourages us to, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord,” (Hebrews 12:14, King James Version).

Practical Application

            When we look at the use of holiness in the Old Testament, it is often tied to worship and more than once described as beautiful. Holiness, worship and beauty create an astonishing picture of an act of separation, cause by the adoration for God by the worshiper. This adorns that worshiper in the splendor of that which is sacred and pure.

            Holiness in the New Testament speaks to us of a right relationship with God. It speaks of character and of character building. Not only does it encourage us to be separate and sacred, it also encourages us to pursue a good and a peaceful relationship with our neighbor as well as with God. Paul, in Ephesians 4:24 tells us to put on that new man who was created in holiness. He then explains some things we need to separate ourselves from such as lying, stealing, corrupt speech and more. In Romans 13:14, Paul tells us to put on the Lord Jesus Christ, or again, holiness, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy,” (1 Peter 1:16, King James Version).

            Combining the New and Old Testament uses of the word holiness paints a picture of worship that is beautiful to God not only in the actions of worship, it goes further to include worship that is beautiful because of character and right relationship with God. It portrays worship that is beautiful for more reasons than flowing words, rhymes and rhythms. But worship that is adorned by a character that is pursuing a right standing with God and portrays the sacredness of God in the life of the worshiper.

The Word

Theological Definition

            As we read the Bible we find an incredible importance attached to the “Word” of God. The Psalmist, in the 119 Psalm, focuses on the impact the “Word” of God has on a life with statements such as, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word” (Psalms 119:9, King James Version) or “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee,” (Psalms 119:11, King James Version). We also find that the term “thy word” is used interchangeably throughout the Bible with words such as law, statute, judgments, commandments, precepts, testimonies, truth and scripture.

            In writing his Gospel, the Apostle John launches an explanation of the deity of Jesus Christ with this statement, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made,” (John 1:1, 3, King James Version). He then boldly proclaims, “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” (John 1:14a, King James Version). John later quotes Jesus Christ as saying, “thy word is truth,” (John 17:17b, King James Version).

            When we are speaking of the “Word” we are talking about more than letters written on paper or verbiage filling the air. We are talking about God himself being expressed to us through the written word as well as through his earthly life. Considering this, our view of the “Word” should be a view of love and adoration.

Biblical Foundation

            God has placed great importance upon his word. The Psalmist penned this declaration, in the 138 Psalm, “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name,” (Psalms 138:2, King James Version). As great as his name is, it is above every name (Philippians 2:9), God has magnified, or made his word greater than his name. When telling of God coming to earth in the robe of human flesh, John identifies God, as the “Word,” the creator of all things, the light that shines in darkness and brings life. Jesus spoke of the word being truth. When teaching Nicodemus he explained that men loved darkness because their deeds were evil. Then, rather than speaking of men doing that which is “good,” which would seem to be the opposite of evil, he said, “But he that doeth truth cometh to the light,” (John 3:21, King James Version). The only way to God is through the “Word.” Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,” (John 14:6, King James Version).

Practical Application

            The “Word” of God is vitally important to our lives. We need it for direction and illumination as his, “Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” (Psalms 119:105, King James Version). The “Word” will help us to live a life of great peace no matter what the circumstances that we experience, (Psalms 119:165). By living truth, or living according to the “Word” we are brought closer to the light or to God. In fact, the only way we can come to God is by his word or through truth. There should be intense hunger or desire in the heart and mind of each believer for the “Word” of God. Job declared, “I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food,” (Job 23:12b, King James Version).

            It is impossible to have a stronger relationship with God if a person doesn’t love his “Word.” It is impossible to know how to live a life that is pleasing to him if a person does not love his “Word.” To deal successfully with the pitfalls of life one must use his “Word” as a lamp and guide. It is from his “Word” that a believer will come to know God and learn that he can trust God in all matters of life.

Conclusion

            Holiness is the determination to set apart your life, from the world, and to make it sacred to God. It is deciding to worship God, not only with your voice, but to worship him with your whole life. There is a decision made to take the “Word” of God and to hide it in your heart in order to draw near to him and learn of him.