Lesson 3
DECISION – MAKING WITHIN THE WILL OF GOD
3. Scripture is right, causing joy. Vs:8a
The precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart.
Precepts brings into focus the fact
that God is the definer of duty; the principles, the guidelines for character
and conduct.
These
precepts from the Lord are right; they're straight, upright, correct. Its more than just indicating what is right
as over against what is wrong.
And
what does it say will be the consequence of being on the right path?? What is
the benefit for now? today? tomorrow?
"rejoicing the heart" it brings us great joy when believed and
lived out
- What this says here is to focus on divine truth and there
you will find true and lasting joy.
The
Psalmist writing in Ps 119 tells us that he went to Scripture when he was in
pain (ynI[') see this in vs:50.
If
we follow the human viewpoint solutions we may find temporary relief but not
the lasting joy that God can and does provide as we are obedient to His Word!
4.
Scripture is Pure, Enlightening the eyes vs:8b
- the
commandment not a series of suggestions to be taken
lightly
- pure clear, lucid not mystifying
Rem: it is revelation
from God, He's true, His word is truth!
Benefit: In a world of
spiritual and moral darkness it says that the word enlightening the eyes.
5. 19:9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever;
- speaks of the respect and awe that we should have for
God and His word; takes us to His authority.
- tied to hearing the word Dt. 4:10
- what the
word pure/clean
communicates is that the word is absolutely undefiled and with out
blemish.
Benefit: Scripture endures forever vs:9a
There is nothing out there that is as
permanent as the Word of God! Nothing!
6. The judgments of
the Lord are true and righteous 19:9b
Psalm
119:138; 142
B.L. The Word of God has been and will always
be sufficient for our needs.
When the Word and its precepts are central in
our thinking then we will have the capacity to reflect the character of Christ.
Back to our principles of decision making:
b. Specific areas
where Christ is our example in character:
- we are to be
conformed to the image of Christ. Rom
1. holiness - 1 Pet 1:15-16
2. righteousness - 1 Jn 3:7; living the standards of
the word
3. purity - 1 Jn 3:3; takes constant cleansing and
applying the Word in the life.
4. love - Eph 5:1-2; we are to walk in love just
as Christ loved us.
5. forgiveness - Col. 3:13; forgiving one
another....just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
6. compassion - Lk 6:36;
7. endurance - Heb 12:2-4; related to occupation with
Christ
8. humility and
obedience - Phil 2:3-8
9. kindness - Lk
10. generosity in giving
- 2 Cor 8:1-9
3. The moral will of
God touches every aspect and moment of life.
a. God's moral will
encompasses more than overt behavior.
b.
He is concerned
not only with what we do, but He cares also about what we think, as well as the
motivation for what we do.
c.
In other words,
God's moral will prescribes the believer's goals and attitudes, as well as his
actions. (the
what, why, how)
d.
Furthermore,
the moral will of God is to shape our perspective of reality which serves as
the context in which our decisions are made. (i.e. to
have the proper world-view regarding reality; we must have Biblically based
presuppositions)
- This is something that we must be renewing
constantly; only occurs as we keep
learning what God has to say in His Word.
e. Goals by nature are
more general than behavioral commands.
Our goals as Christian's should reflect God's
stated purposes for us in our lives after salvation, in phase 2.
(1) Primary goal = to glorify Him in all
things. 2 Cor 5:9; 1 Cor
(2) Toward this end some intermediate goals and
objectives should be established:
(a) to fulfill God -
given responsibilities. 1 Pet 4:10-11
- each of us have been
given spiritual gifts that are to be
used to minister to or serve one another in the body of Christ; all gifts fill
a need in the local body of Christ.
- as a result Jesus
Christ reaps honor and glory as we fulfill these goals
(b) to minister to
others; building up one another.
Rom
- providing comfort,
encouragement and exhortation as the need and opportunity arises.
(c) to
reach maturity. Eph 4:13; Heb 6:1 ("let us press on to maturity.")
- Context is P/T doing
his job of teaching the Word. (vs:11-12)
- this
trains and equips the believer who is not just a hearer but a doer of the word
for their particular niche of service in the body of Christ.
- This whole passage
plays havoc with the notion that you can attain or maintain any spiritual
momentum or spiritual maturity, any spiritual impact in one's life apart from
the
(d) to
do good works and produce spiritual fruit DGP.
Eph 2:10; Col. 1:10; Jn 15:8; Titus 3:8
(e) to
evangelize the lost - 2 Pet 3:9; 2 Cor.