I would not be put to Shame
February 13, 2014
I would not be put to Shame
Psalms 119:1-6
Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. 3 They do nothing wrong; they walk in his ways. 4 You have laid down precepts that are to be fully obeyed. 5 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! 6 Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands.
One day each one of us will stand before the Lord to give an account for our lives; even if we are washed in the blood and have professed Christ. The question will be have we lived Christ or will we stand in shame before Him, finally realizing that we spent our time, money, resources and talents, not for the kingdom of God, but for the temporary betterment of ourselves. Will we find that we have laid up treasure in heaven where moth and rust does not corrupt and no man can break in to steal it or has it all been about the earthly gain and the temporal treasures?
1 John 2:28 exhorts and instructs this way, “And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” If we closed our eyes right now and looked back over our lives, where we’ve been, where we are and where we are going, is it all reflecting our pursuit of God and walking in His ways? Do obedience, faithfulness and a life that is in constant communion with Him typify our lives? Will you delight at His presence or will you feel naked and ashamed of what you’ve done with your life? We all need to search our hearts, for the Word says we don’t have to be put to shame if we live with respect to the Word of God and in obedience to it. Most all of us have the tendency to be distracted by the world and to be caught up in its pleasures. It is much easier if we can just be like everybody else and go with the flow.
The Lord is challenging our hearts and lives to be something more. Think about the pride a child brings a parent when they grow up to honor their parents in obedience and with what they do with their lives. 2 Timothy 2:15 exhorts us, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” We want to live lives that honor Him and are for the praise of His name. Revelation 3:18 speaks to the church this way, “I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.” We don’t want to be known as just good people; we want to be known as the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Corinthians 3:12-17 tells us, “If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 16Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? 17If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”
It is one thing to have the resources of this world and use them in a godly manner, but it is another when they possess you and the love and lust for them is what drives you.
“God, help us to have the right perspective, the proper desires and a heart that is set on obedience to your Word and following after Your precepts in all that we do. We don’t want be ashamed when that day comes when we stand in Your presence and give an account of our lives.“
Blessings,
kent
