July 29, 2006 - Psalms 49-50 and Romans 1
The people who don't know the Lord have a much different way of thinking than those who do know the Lord and His ways. There are many examples of this, but we read about several of them in these passages. As Christians we should try to share the truth with those who have not come to know the Lord yet. We are His witnesses.
In Psalm 49 Korah explains that no one is rich enough to redeem himself or his brother from sins. Money can't buy eternal life in heaven. Only God can deliver a person from Hell. (v.9,15) If a person thinks that his earthly wealth or importance will influence his eternal destiny, he is very foolish. (v.20) Our only source of redemption is the Lord.
Psalm 50 is a psalm of Asaph. God inspired him to write a psalm telling us that it is our heart attitude that counts. Outward religion does not impress God. He is looking on the heart. There are so many people in this world who think they can fool God by their actions, but God is never fooled. He responds to those who cry out to Him. (v.15) He is looking for those who glorify Him with their lives.
Romans 1 is a great example of all of this. Paul is God's servant. He has been set apart for God. (v.1) That is what it means to be a saint. (v.7) Christians are those who have been saved by the power of the Gospel. (v.16) We live by faith. (v.17) However, the people who are not believers have decided to go after idols. (v.23) God is too restrictive for them. They have decided to just give themselves to sensual pleasures instead of to God's ways. (v.27) Therefore, God has given them over to these practices and to the results. These people become hardened in their hearts, and they sin as much as possible. They even encourage other people to sin with them. It is a sad state to be in total rebellion to God. It all comes about because they do not want to put their faith in God. I pray that none of you will allow yourselves to go down that road to destruction.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 51-53 and Romans 2.
In Psalm 49 Korah explains that no one is rich enough to redeem himself or his brother from sins. Money can't buy eternal life in heaven. Only God can deliver a person from Hell. (v.9,15) If a person thinks that his earthly wealth or importance will influence his eternal destiny, he is very foolish. (v.20) Our only source of redemption is the Lord.
Psalm 50 is a psalm of Asaph. God inspired him to write a psalm telling us that it is our heart attitude that counts. Outward religion does not impress God. He is looking on the heart. There are so many people in this world who think they can fool God by their actions, but God is never fooled. He responds to those who cry out to Him. (v.15) He is looking for those who glorify Him with their lives.
Romans 1 is a great example of all of this. Paul is God's servant. He has been set apart for God. (v.1) That is what it means to be a saint. (v.7) Christians are those who have been saved by the power of the Gospel. (v.16) We live by faith. (v.17) However, the people who are not believers have decided to go after idols. (v.23) God is too restrictive for them. They have decided to just give themselves to sensual pleasures instead of to God's ways. (v.27) Therefore, God has given them over to these practices and to the results. These people become hardened in their hearts, and they sin as much as possible. They even encourage other people to sin with them. It is a sad state to be in total rebellion to God. It all comes about because they do not want to put their faith in God. I pray that none of you will allow yourselves to go down that road to destruction.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Psalms 51-53 and Romans 2.