The Goal of Godly Instruction

The Apostle Paul, while writing to Timothy, disclosed to him the goal of all godly instruction. He said, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1Tim. 1:5). This is what must result as the outcome of all godly instruction. A devoted, undistracted love for God—which is the first and foremost commandment; a good conscience that lives in righteousness where it is no longer we who lives but the life of the Messiah in us (Gal. 2:20); and the life that we live, we live by faith in the Son of God (Gal. 2:20)—a faith that in all sincerity displays complete confidence and trust, one the clings to, and one that depends completely on Yeshua. I have come to realize that if our life is characterised by these three qualities, it can radically transform our lives, more specifically our relationship with God and our behaviour in the world. My own witness is that it brings a complete transformation in the way we relate with the things of this earth and our outlook to the things that are eternal. There is a “renewing of our mind”, to use a phrase from Paul’s letter to the Romans.

However, the more we reflect on things of God and seek that which is above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1), the more we begin to recognise to what end God is working within us. It helps us see the final goal or the finish line, if you may. We know that God is working within us to will and to do what pleases Him (Php. 2:13); but to what end? What is the end result that God has in mind? The answer as usual is found in the Holy Bible. However, before that, it would help to briefly consider what God has prepared for those who love Him.

We learn that it is not to angels that God has subjected the world that is coming (Heb. 2:5), but to us of whom it is written, “What is man, that Thou rememberest him? ...Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet” (Heb. 2:6-8). I hope this text does not skip our attention. “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.” Terms like ‘inheritance’, ‘authority’ and ‘glory’ are the primary colours that make up this picture.

Further, in the New Covenant that God made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, He made all those under this covenant kings and priests, with Yeshua as the High Priest—priests not according to the order of the Levites but one that is according to the order of Melchizedeck. For this reason, Yeshua is not ashamed to call us His brethren (Heb. 2:11) but has welcomed us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father (Rev. 1: 6). No longer do we need to approach God through others, like in the days of the first covenant and no longer does anyone need to teach his neighbour saying, “Know your God,” but in the New Covenant, those who are a part of redeemed Israel can draw near to Him with confidence to enter the Holy Place by the blood of Yeshua by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil (Heb. 10:19-20). Here, the emphasis is on the privilege we have as “kings and priests” before God. So great is all that God has prepared as an inheritance for His children, scripture tells us that they are what eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and which cannot be fathomed by the heart of man (1Cor. 2:9).

So to what end is God working? We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). But what is that purpose? The answer is in the following verse: “to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).

Again, we know that God will not test us beyond what we are able, but with every test will provide a way of escape, that we may be able to endure it (1Cor. 10:13). As a father who disciplines his child so does our Father work within us (Heb. 12:9-11)—with ever great patience, gentleness and compassion—so that the proof of our faith being more precious than gold may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Yeshua, the Messiah (1Pet. 1:7). “At the revelation of Yeshua, the Messiah,” says Peter, “we would be more precious than gold tried in fire.” It is almost similar to what Paul said to the Corinthian believers, “Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2Cor. 4:17).

As God opens our eyes to see further, we begin to recognise that at the appearing of Yeshua, that eternal weight of glory that is far beyond all comparison is “being like Him, just as He is” (1Jn. 3:2-3). God’s word tells us that He will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (Php. 3:21). It is the very thing that the Bridegroom is doing in this period of waiting before His appearing. He is preparing His bride so that “He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy—separated for Himself exclusively; and blameless (Eph. 5:27)—as a pure betrothed virgin (2Cor. 11:2).

It is with this in mind, the Apostle John wrote, “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1Jn. 3:3). It is for the same reason that Paul said, “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1Cor. 9:26-27).

Oh that we may have such a mind as the Apostles did. A heart that remembers always that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”—And for what reason? “That we should be holy (set apart) and blameless before Him” (Eph. 1:4). Notice how Paul repeats these exact two terms while disclosing the goal of the Messiah’s efforts in preparing His bride (Eph. 5:27). This is the same thing Yahweh told Abram in Genesis 17:1—walk before Me and be blameless. This is the path we must walk—a life separated for God that displays the life of Yeshua [which is also the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)]. This is the race we have been exhorted to run; laying aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us (Heb. 12:1). Oh that we may live with such single-minded, undistracted devotion knowing that just as we are God’s precious possession (1Pet. 2:9), so must He be ours. May this set-apart life that lives in simplicity and purity of devotion to the Messiah (2Cor. 11:3) run in such a way knowing that the glorified Lord is eventually preparing His bride to be like Him—without spot or wrinkle or blemish.

Psalm 119, Verse 176

I have made so many mistakes in my ignorance, Adonai. Instead of studying Your word to see what it is that You commanded us, I glibly followed the traditions of men. I can now understand in part how the evil one has twisted so many things from Your word and corrupted Your people with handed-down traditions. I was not diligent in the past to test customs like "Sunday as a day of rest" instead of observing the 7th day as Sabbath. I was ignorant of the seven appointed days (or Moedim's) that You commanded us to keep as a lasting ordinance; and instead observed festivals that are not even mentioned in Your word, festivals such as Christmas and Good Friday and Easter.

I strayed away Adonai but You have shown me mercy and kindness and helped me see things that I otherwise was blinded to. Continue to seek Your servant every time I stray away in ignorance, O Saviour and give me grace, even if I have to be among the few who walk the narrow path, to walk boldly and unashamed of the truth.

This post is the last from Psalm 119. When I first found the Lord prompting me to post this Psalm for the benefit of many, I recognised that it was going to take close to six months to complete.

This is why I want to thank you very much for showing the interest to read what I posted day after day for these past months. My hope is that each Bible verse, with my personal learning corresponding to every verse, has been of benefit to you.

After all, the goal of every Christian service is to encourage each heart to love God with a devotion that is undistracted; as a bride betrothed to her husband, who is Yeshua the Messiah. If that has been achieved through these six months, the purpose has been fulfilled.

Should you ever want to go through these posts later in the future, you will find them on this blog.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I certainly hope you benefited from the opportunity provided through these posts to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 175

The breath that You have sustained within me, Adonai, is for You—to praise and honour and worship You; for in Thee do we live and move and have our being. All other pursuits is a vain thing. Continue to teach me the sole purpose of my existence. Help me never to lose sight of it. Let my soul live, Adonai, for I shall praise You—here, now and forevermore; and let Your righteous instructions help me.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 174

From Your word I know that there is joy in salvation—for the Psalmist says, "Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation." From my relationship with a living God who speaks to us from His living word, I know that this relationship must be vibrant, alive and constantly fresh—like a tree by the river that never withers; bearing fruit in all seasons. Therefore when I recognise that my walk with You is losing that joy—where I relate with You mechanically rather than with love—and that I am not receiving insight from Your word, but that Your Word is dry and appears to be just paper and ink; then I want to be quick to run to You and cry, "I long for Your salvation, Adonai. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation and renew a right spirit within me." May I never ignore this vital sign because very soon, if I am not careful, I will slip into slumber and remain like the five foolish virgins.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.

Psalm 119, Verse 173

I echo the words of the Psalmist, Adonai, when he sang, "Unto Thee O Lord do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee. Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed let no one who waits on You be ashamed." You know that I have resolutely set my face to honour You by my obedience and faith. Yet, I need You every time, my Saviour. I need Your hand to always be ready to save me for I know that without You I will most certainly fail. Sustain me, Adonai. Uphold me by Your mighty right hand so that each day I am preserved as blameless, spotless and without blemish; truly ready for Your great appearing.

Lately, I have found myself drawn to Psalm 119. Charles Spurgeon beautifully describes it thus:

There is no title to this Psalm, neither is any author's name mentioned. It is not just long only; but equally excels in breadth of thought, depth of meaning, and height of fervour. It is like the celestial city which lieth four square, and the height and the breadth of it are equal. Many superficial readers have imagined that it harps upon one string, and abounds in pious repetitions and redundancies; but this arises from the shallowness of the reader's own mind: those who have studied this divine hymn, and carefully noted each line of it, are amazed at the variety and profundity of the thought.

It contains no idle word; the grapes of this cluster are almost to bursting full with the new wine of the kingdom. The more you look into this mirror of a gracious heart the more you will see in it. Placid on the surface as the sea of glass before the eternal throne, it yet contains within its depths an ocean of fire, and those who devoutly gaze into it shall not only see the brightness, but feel the glow of the sacred flame. It is loaded with holy sense, and is as weighty as it is bulky.

The Psalm is alphabetical. Eight stanzas commence with one letter, and then another eight with the next letter, and so the whole Psalm proceeds by octonaries quite through the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew alphabet, from Aleph to Tau.

I thought I should post a verse each day in the hope that we all, including myself, may get an opportunity to reflect on them.