August 27
Job 23:1-27:23 | PS 41:1-13 | Prov 22:5-6 | 2 Cor 1:12-2:11
Paul said in Acts 24:16, "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men." Paul saw things correctly. We can all dress up nice. We can all look sweet and loving to the outside world. But Paul acknowledged that God sees everything that we do. Our goal should not be to gain applause from others, but to keep our conscience clean before a holy God who sees all. We are all sinners, and this reality, should keep a short leash on us realizing that God even sees our thoughts. This is why "confession is good for the soul" (1 John 1:9). None of us really ever get away with anything as Jesus said in Matthew 16:26, "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" It is about eternity and our standing before God which really counts the most.
Job speaks of the foolishness of those who seemingly have it all, those who live for themselves on earth thinking that God doesn't notice in Job 24:1-2, 13-17, "Since times are not hidden from the Almighty, Why do those who know Him see not His days? Some remove landmarks; They seize flocks violently and feed on them;...There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths. The murderer rises with the light; He kills the poor and needy; And in the night he is like a thief. The eye of the adulterer waits for the twilight, Saying, 'No eye will see me'; And he disguises his face. In the dark they break into houses Which they marked for themselves in the daytime; They do not know the light. For the morning is the same to them as the shadow of death; If someone recognizes them, They are in the terrors of death." Most try to get away with whatever they can, as long as they are not caught and get embarrassed being exposed in front of others. But the reality is written in 24:23, "He gives them security, and they rely on it; Yet His eyes are on their ways."
We can only recognize Him if we spend time with Him. His reality is true, and His presence is real. But we so often seek the court of public opinion rather than the only court that counts, the courts of heaven. We can all fool ourselves if we see ourselves in comparison with others. But when we compare ourselves with a perfect and holy God, our sin is exposed, and our secret deeds are seen. This reality should bring us to God, but once that relationship has been established, this should not make us walk around guilty, as our righteousness is based in Jesus Christ, not our sinlessness. As we read in 2 Corinthians 5:21, "For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: