LIGHT FOR MY PATH

Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”.  God’s Word has been just that for millions of believers for thousands of years.  According to George Barna’s new book, “America at the Crossroads”, 91% of American households have a Bible in the home.  70% of Americans believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.  This is amazing when one considers the all out war waged in recent decades against the Scriptures by secular humanists in the media, education, and government.  What is their beef against the Bible?  It’s simple.  They don’t want that “light” shining on their path.  It reveals too much about their hearts.

Let’s explore that “light”.  The Bible contains things that are promoted and things that are prohibited.  It contains whole sections, like the Book of Proverbs, which are “Wisdom Literature”.  It is a long list of what is being promoted and what is prohibited.  Here is an example from Proverbs 14, “A patient man has great understanding, but a quick tempered man displays folly.  A heart of peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.  He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God’’.

Galatians 5:19-23 contains another list of that which is promoted and which is prohibited.  “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.  I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.   Against such things there is no law.”  1 Corinthians 13 is called the “Love Chapter”.   It also contains that which is promoted and which is prohibited.  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy.  It does not boast, it is not proud.  It is not rude.  It is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.   It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”

The pervasive truth of the Bible, from beginning to end, is that positive actions, words, and attitudes have positive consequences and negative actions, words, and attitudes have negative consequences.  Simply put, we reap what we sow.

So, why does the Bible contain so many admonitions?  It is for our benefit.  That which is promoted has proven over the centuries to be beneficial to our well being.   Also, that which is prohibited has proven over the centuries to be harmful to us as individuals and to society.  The Biblical admonitions have not always been received positively.  For example, admonitions pertaining to sexual activity have drawn mixed reactions.  Look at 1 Corinthians 6:9-20.  What is being promoted is honoring God with our bodies which are temples of God’s Holy Spirit.  There are also sexual prohibitions along with other prohibitions.  Those actually listed are, sexual immorality, adultery, homosexual acts, and prostitution.  Other prohibitions include idolatry, greed, slander, drunkenness, swindling, etc..  It is interesting that vs. 11 indicates that many of those in the church being addressed were involved in such activity, but “were washed, sanctified, justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus”.  In other words, many in the audience were once involved in prohibited lifestyles, but were now following the Lord.

There are many portions of Scripture about sexual activity.  The prohibitions pertaining to activities like homosexual acts, incest, bestiality, adultery, etc., have angered various groups.  Forty five years ago, the gay lobby set out to “change America’s perception of homosexuals”.  I happened to be present when they announced the five myths they were going to use to make the change.  They have been very successful.  They have won over the media, the courts, government, educational leaders, corporations, medical groups, and some faith leaders.  They have even managed to change the definition of marriage that has stood for thousands of years.  But, their biggest obstacle has been the Bible and those that adhere to its principles.  They have tried for decades to convince people to ignore the Bible because “it is irrelevant today”.  They are furious at faith communities that resist their campaign.  Now that they have won court support, they have set out to get revenge by demanding that those who have opposed their campaign not only condone their activity, but also facilitate it.  It’s not going to happen.  No matter how many slurs are slung and persecutions are launched, the Bible still stands as the “Light for our path”.  All that the Bible promotes and prohibits is in place for a reason and is substantiated by thousands of years of experience.  On day Joshua stood at the crossroads as the new leader of Israel.  He called on the people to follow the Lord’s leading.  As they pondered his challenge, he said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”.  So be it.

As I read these lists, my soul is crushed because it’s clear that I’ve done much of that which is prohibited and not done much of that which is promoted.  Fortunately, the Bible contains “The Gospel”, the Good News which reveals the way for me to have victory over my failings and to become more of the person God would have me to be.  The clearest expression of the Gospel is found in John 3:16.  “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”.  That’s His part.  My part is to humble myself before God, repent, confess my obvious failings, and believe Him to do His part.  From then on, I must continue to be humble and trust and obey Him.