Graceful Truth

THE SOLITARY PATH TO AN UNDILUTED LIFE

May 01, 2020

THE SOLITARY PATH TO AN UNDILUTED LIFE


We don’t get it. Lured by every worldly god, we run in multiple directions seeking life. Unsatisfied, we pursue more. But all our efforts will never yield the right results. We’re looking in the wrong direction.

Every genuine follower of Christ wants an undiluted life, free from the impurities and distractions that destroy us and pull us away from "simple, pure, devotion to Jesus Christ." But, what is the path to purity? Not just moral purity, but holiness in every dimension? Most people believe it comes by observing some rules, following some guidelines. But the secret lies in pursuing someone, not something.

OUR SINGULAR PURSUIT

David repeats a pronoun thirteen times in eight verses that gives us the key. A vision consistently set on Christ alone is the secret! It is not pursuing holiness, but pursuing Him that leads to an undistracted life. Notice the word "You" or its equivalent in these verses.

9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
10 With all my heart I have sought You;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
11 Your word I have treasured in my heart,
That I may not sin against You.
12 Blessed are You, O Lord;
Teach me Your statutes.
13 With my lips I have told of
All the ordinances of Your mouth.
14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
As much as in all riches.
15 I will meditate on Your precepts
And regard Your ways.
16 I shall delight in Your statutes;
I shall not forget Your word.

 

The songwriter understood this:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

 

If Christ fills our vision we will be overwhelmed by His beauty, awed by His goodness, and humbled by His grace. A response of holiness is sure to follow.

OUR CONTINUAL RESPONSE

Seeing the value of Christ, we want more of Him. We gladly turn from those things that cloud our vision or hinder our intimacy. We have seen the Pearl of great price and  are more willing to sell everything to possess Him. Deliberate surrender and obedience yields a greater experience of Him—which makes us want to follow Him more—which leads a deepening vision—and the unending cycle of vision that leads to holiness goes deeper and deeper. When we see Him for who He is, it changes us.

Our STEPS
How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. (vs.9)
Our AFFECTIONS
With all my heart I have sought You. (vs. 10)
Our DILIGENCE
Do not let me wander from Your commandments. (vs. 10)
Our TREASURE
Your word I have treasured in my heart (vs. 11)
Our CAUTION
… that I may not sin against You (vs. 11)
Our PRAISE
Blessed are you, O Lord (vs. 12)
Our LEARNING
Teach me your statutes (vs. 12)
Our WITNESS
With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth (vs. 13)
Our REJOICING
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies as much as in all riches (vs. 14)
Our MEDITATION
I will meditate on Your precepts (vs. 15)
Our CONSIDERATION
(I will) regard Your ways (vs. 15)
Our DELIGHT
I will delight in your statues (vs. 16)
Our REMEMBERING
I shall not forget Your word (vs. 16)

 

My favorite poem sits on my study wall and is a constant reminder that the goal of all of my study and work is one thing and one thing alone.

“I read Thy Word, O, Lord each passing day
And in Thy sacred page find glad employ;
But this I pray…Save from the killing letter.
Teach my heart—set free from human forms—
The holy art of reading Thee in every line,
In precept, prophecy, and sign.
Till all my vision filled with Thee
Thy likeness shall reflect in me.
Not knowledge, but THYSELF my joy, for this I pray.”
(J.C. MacCauley)

 

Father, thank You that You are perfect altogether lovely. To see you is to behold everything that is good and right and gracious. Through Your Word and prayer, let me live in Your presence, beholding You! One day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. And let my heart be filled with You so that I will gladly release every weak substitute.

 



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