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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
The Psalmist rhetorically asked this question while having the answer readily in hand. His response? “By living according to (God’s) word.” Psalm 119:9 Jesus assuring us that, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 Hopefully inspiring us to pray, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
But how will He do that? By mysteriously remaking us into an obedient servant, willing partners in His ministry – automatically and effortlessly – with no input on our part? I’ve seen little indication of that in all my years of struggling to be a genuine Christian. And while I’ve seen a few people radically changed at their conversion, most people struggle with the idea of purity in all its forms; defining and redefining it throughout their lives. Living according to God’s word and will, usually has to be searched out and pondered over before we can effectively apply it to our lives. But don’t get discouraged, God promises that even when we stumble, he can still be found. “But if from there (failure) you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart…” Deuteronomy 4:29 And again, assuring us that, “You will seek me and find me when you seek with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 He can be found because he wants to be found. (Is. 45:18,19), although it may not always appear to be easy. For in truth, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Is. 55:9 The hidden things spoken of through the shadow of the Law (Hebrews 8:5-10 & 10:1-10) and in parables done so, so that serious people of upright intent can and will be able to realize God’s purposes and learn to rely on his promises while those who give only cursory effort and who whine and complain to excuse their unrighteous behavior are confounded by their own lack of diligence in their search. (Matthew 13:10-17 & 13:34,35)
“We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age,… No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understand it, for if they had, they wouldn’t have crucified the Lord of glory. However, it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him – but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 2:7-9 Jesus Christ, the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past but now revealed so that we might believe and obey. (Romans 16:25,26 & Colossians 2:1-3 & 17) As, “Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-24
So, “Don’t let anyone look down on you (whether you’re young of old), but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 For the grace of God has been revealed to all men by the actions of Christ on the cross and the representation of his life and word through the gospels (see Matthew 1:27-29), “…teach(ing) us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives…” Titus 2:11,12
It only stands to reason that what we concentrate on – or fill our minds with – is what we will use as the basis for our actions and reactions to life. “For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he…” Proverbs 23:7 (KJ), Jesus explaining that it is, “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man bring(ing) good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man bring(ing) evil things out of the evil stored up in him.” Matthew 12:34,35 The time and effort we spend achieving “success”, the money we spend to acquire material possessions and entertainment, the things we do to stimulate our minds and bodies all reflecting the dominant “treasure” of our hearts and minds. (See Matthew 6:21 & Luke 12:15)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts …(and) minds on things above, not on earthly things.” Col. 3:1,2Such as, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 All of which going a long way in keeping a person of any age “pure.”
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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