If You Remain
Our fellowship is to be with the Father and with his Son. (1 John 1:3) If we will remain in this relationship we will grow and mature. It is meant to be active, vibrant and fruitful. It is not meant to be an on off type of relationship but one that is consistent and everlasting.
- The Greek word “meno”, means to remain or abide in. The relation in which one person or thing stands with another, chiefly in John’s writings; thus to remain in or with someone, i.e., to be and remain united with him, one with him in heart, mind, and will; e.g., with en and the dative of person (John 6:56; 14:10; 15:4-7; 1 John 2:6; 3:24; 4:15, 16); The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament
Christ is the one that supplies the heartbeat that gives life to our relationship with the Father. There is no life outside the redeeming work of Christ.
John 15:1-11 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. 2 Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 8 “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples. 9 Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love. 11 I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. WEB
When we hold fast to God’s word God holds fast to us and we remain in the Father and in his Son.
1 John 2:23-24 Whoever denies the Son, the same doesn’t have the Father. He who confesses the Son has the Father also. 24 Therefore, as for you, let that remain in you which you heard from the beginning. If that which you heard from the beginning remains in you, you also will remain in the Son, and in the Father. WEB
We come to experience the heart and mind of God when we enter into his word and live it out in our lives. Becoming one with the Father and the Son involves all our heart, mind, soul and strength. The deeper our commitment is to our God the deeper our relationship with him will be.
1 John 2:3-6 This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. 4 One who says, “I know him,” and doesn’t keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn’t in him. 5 But whoever keeps his word, God’s love has most assuredly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: 6 he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked. WEB
If we truly want to experience love that is pure and undefiled then we will need to experience God who by his own nature is this love. God has not only called us to experience his love but to also remain in it and feel at home in it.
1 John 4:7-21 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. 8 He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. 9 By this was God’s love revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us. 13 By this we know that we remain in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him, and he in God. 16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. 19 We love Him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother. WEB
We have been called to enter into a relationship that gives life and that life we have when we remain in the Father and in his Son. It is a life full of all the goodness of God. Our relationship with God is one that is meant to bring us into a place of having one heart and mind with all his goodness. This relationship will change our very nature and allow us to be an extension of God’s love and goodness to others.
Additional scriptures for consideration-
Ps 15:1-5, Ps 27:4, Luke 17:20-21, John 6:52-58, John 14:18-31,
John 17:17-26, Col 1:27-281, John 2:28-29, 1 John 3:4-10, 1 John 3:23-24,
1 John 4:4, 2 John 7-9, Rev 3:20
By Clint Griffith
The Call to Perfection
God’s desire for mankind was not only that they would come to know his saving grace but that they would also grow and be made perfect. In the very beginning God expressed his desire for mankind to be made into his image, according to his likeness even before he created them. Being made into his image and likeness would be a process that would take place over a period of time. The word “make” in Genesis 1:26 does not only reveal God’s desire but also his involvement in bringing it to a completed state.
Too often when individuals read about the high calling of being perfect, they panic or lose heart. The reason for this is they look to themselves to bring this about. We need to take our eyes off of ourselves and look to God who is the one that will bring this to pass.
2 Peter 1:2-4 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, 3 seeing that his divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and virtue; 4 by which he has granted to us his precious and exceedingly great promises; that through these you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. WEB
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them. WEB
Phil 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure. WEB
Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, 21 make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. WEB
Phil 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. WEB
If we can believe God for our salvation and are able to experience being born from above and if we can believe him for his holy spirit which he has promised to pour out upon those that believe and if we can believe in his miracle working power to deliver and heal us, is it too much to believe that he will perfect those whom he has called?
If we will believe and embrace it, we can look forward to it being accomplished in our lives.
If we allow his perfecting work to be carried out in our lives, our walk with God will only become more meaningful and richer.
This work will not be done if we are not willing to alienate ourselves with him in this matter. As we allow our relationship to deepen with our Lord, the more we will desire this change to take place and the more God will be able to work on our behalf.
Rom 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. 2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. WEB
- Conformed outwardly and transform inwardly
- To know the will of God; know what God wants or desires
- Perfect; what could not be better
- Transformed (metamorphose)
Eph 3:14-21 For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,
16 that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. WEB
- Here “the fullness of God” can be nothing other than the very nature of God
2 Cor 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 8 But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are transformed into the same image from glory to glory, even as from the Lord, the Spirit. WEB
- Since the passage in Ex 34:34 refers to the Lord God, most likely that is the intended meaning here.
God has also called us to encourage and help each other as we travel the road that will lead us to be perfect.
Eph 4:11-16 He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, to the work of serving, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we may no longer be children, tossed back and forth and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15 but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, Christ; 16 from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love. WEB
- mature suggests both growth and the completion of such a process.
- Reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature; “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ”: Eph 4:7; here it means “full measure,” that is, “the desired height “a full-grown man,” “a mature man.”
Rom 8:28-30 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined (predetermined) to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 Whom he predestined, (predetermined) those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. WEB
- Conformed to the image; an inward and not merely superficial conformity. It is used of Christ as the very image of the Father (2 Cor 4:4; Col 1:15). See Phil 2:6; Here we have both morfee (NT:3444) and eikoon (NT:1504) to express the gradual change in us until we acquire the likeness of Christ the Son of God.
God is more than able to do his perfecting work in each of us but we must want it and be willing to travel the road that will lead us to that destination
Col 3:1-17 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory. 5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them; 8 but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all. 12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. 14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord. 17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him. WEB
- God is constantly renewing this new being in his own image.
- In his own image: the renewal process has as its goal the complete restoration in the creature of the likeness of the creator. The creator is, at the same time, the one who renews, and this process restores the divine image which had been effaced by sin
- Greek eis epignoosin. Full knowledge
- the Greek term implies “experience of” or “coming into a relationship with. UBS
We are not called to meet the standards of the world but those that are of God.
Matt 5:46-48 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. WEB (John 3:16)
- In the statement “You shall be perfect”, the pronoun You is strongly emphasized.
- Perfect in the Greek has the meaning of having come to completion or wholeness; it can refer to maturity or to moral and ethical integrity, that is, to being flawless.
Seeing that God has granted to us all things pertain to life and godliness by his precious and exceedingly great promises and divine power so that through these we may become partakers of his divine nature we should be faithful to do our part in what he has called us to.
2 Peter 1:5-11 Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; 6 and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; 7 and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. 11 For thus will be richly supplied to you the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. WEB
We have been called to a high calling, but we serve a mighty and holy God that delights to work on our behalf to change us from glory to glory. It is a process that takes place over a period of time as we continue in our relationship with our heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ his son.
Phil 3:12-16 Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, think this way. If in anything you think otherwise, God will also reveal that to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the extent that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule. Let us be of the same mind. WEB
Jesus is our example to whom we can look.
Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. WEB
Heb 5:7-10 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10 named by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. WEB
As Jesus endured and was perfected, we also are called to endure that we may also be perfected.
James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers*, when you fall into various temptations, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. WEB (1 Cor 10:13)
1 Peter 5:10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. WEB
1 John 4:16-17 We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 17 In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. WEB
Our relationship with God, which is the means by which we are perfected, is based on us remaining and abiding in him and in his love. God’s love for us and our love for God is that which will motivate us to be made perfect.
By Clint Griffith
Integrity
The concept of integrity in the Word of God comes from several Hebrew words. Tummah (8538) A feminine noun meaning integrity. This comes from the verb tamam (8552), meaning to be complete in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, and is the feminine equivalent of the word tom (8537), meaning completeness or integrity. This word is used only five times in the Old Testament and is only found in the Wisdom Literature of Job and the Psalms. The related adjective tam (8535), has the meaning complete. Tamiym (8549) An adjective meaning blameless, complete. In over half of its occurrences, it describes an animal to be sacrificed to the Lord, whether a ram, a bull, or a lamb. When used in a moral sense, this word is linked with truth, virtue, uprightness, and righteousness. The term is used of one’s relationship with another person and of one’s relationship with God.
The Complete Word Study Dictionary and Strong’s
Listed below are some of the scriptures that use these words that speak of this concept of integrity along with the Strong’s number.
Job 2:3 Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless (8535) and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity (8538), although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause.”
Job 2:9-10 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still maintain your integrity (8538)? Renounce God, and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.
Job 27:4-6 Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit. 5 Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity (8538) from me. 6 I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
Job 31:6-8 Let me be weighed in an even balance, That God may know my integrity (8538); 7 If my step has turned out of the way, If my heart walked after my eyes, If any defilement has stuck to my hands, 8 Then let me sow, and let another eat; Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.
Prov 11:3 The integrity (8538) of the upright shall guide them, But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
Gen 20:1-6 Abraham traveled from there toward the land of the South, and lived between Kadesh and Shur. He lived as a foreigner in Gerar. 2 Abraham said about Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah. 3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream of the night, and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman whom you have taken. For she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not come near her. He said, “Lord, will you kill even a righteous nation? 5 Didn’t he tell me, ‘She is my sister?’ She, even she herself, said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity (8537) of my heart and the innocence of my hands have I done this.” 6 God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity (8537) of your heart you have done this, and I also withheld you from sinning against me. Therefore I didn’t allow you to touch her.
1 Kings 9:3-5 Yahweh said to him, I have heard your prayer and your supplication, that you have made before me: I have made this house holy, which you have built, to put my name there forever; and my eyes and my heart shall be there perpetually. 4 As for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, in integrity (8537) of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep my statutes and my ordinances; 5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, according as I promised to David your father, saying, There shall not fail you a man on the throne of Israel.
Ps 7:8-9 Yahweh administers judgment to the peoples. Judge me, Yahweh, according to my righteousness, And to my integrity (8537) that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, But establish the righteous; Their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
Ps 25:19-22 Consider my enemies, for they are many. They hate me with cruel hatred. 20 Oh keep my soul, and deliver me. Let me not be disappointed, for I take refuge in you. 21 Let integrity (8537) and uprightness preserve me, For I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, God, Out all of his troubles.
Ps 26:1-2 Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity (8537). I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering. 2 Examine me, Yahweh, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
Ps 26:9-12 Don’t gather my soul with sinners, Nor my life with bloodthirsty men; 10 In whose hands is wickedness, Their right hand is full of bribes. 11 But as for me, I will walk in my integrity (8537). Redeem me, and be merciful to me. 12 My foot stands in an even place. In the congregations I will bless Yahweh.
Ps 41:9-13 Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who ate bread with me, Has lifted up his heel against me. 10 But you, Yahweh, have mercy on me, and raise me up, That I may repay them. 11 By this I know that you delight in me, Because my enemy doesn’t triumph over me. 12 As for me, you uphold me in my integrity (8537), And set me in your presence forever. 13 Blessed be Yahweh, the God of Israel, From everlasting and to everlasting! Amen and amen.
Ps 78:72 So he was their shepherd according to the integrity (8537) of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands.
Ps 101:2 I will be careful to live a blameless (8549) life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless (8537) heart.
Prov 2:6-8 For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. 7 He lays up sound wisdom for the upright. He is a shield to those who walk in integrity (8537); 8 That he may guard the paths of justice, And preserve the way of his saints.
Prov 10:9 He who walks blamelessly (8537) walks surely, But he who perverts his ways will be found out.
Prov 10:29 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright (8537), But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
Prov 13:6 Righteousness guards the way of integrity, (8537) But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Prov 19:1-2 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity (8537) Than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. 2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge; Nor being hasty with one’s feet and missing the way.
Prov 20:7 A righteous man walks in integrity (8537). Blessed are his children after him.
Isaiah uses this word in the negative sense to show will happen to those that do not walk in integrity of heart.
Isa 47:8-9 Now therefore hear this, you who are given to pleasures, who sit securely, who say in your heart, I am, and there is none else besides me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children: 9 but these two things shall come to you in a moment in one day, the loss of children, and widowhood; in their full measure (8537) shall they come on you, in the multitude of your sorceries, and the great abundance of your enchantments.
WEB
Let us seek to have our lives filled up with a full measure of integrity that we may walk with Yahweh in a blameless and upright manner. That we would keep his commandments with a pure mind and heart. That it would be a shield against all that is unrighteous and displeasing to our loving God.
By Clint Griffith
The Scriptural Understanding of Worship
The principal Old Testament word for worship is the Hebrew word shachah, and the New Testament word is the Greek word proskuneo. Both of these words refer to acts of reverence to spiritual beings as well as human superiors. The distinction between these words is that the Old Testament word carries the idea of bowing down prostrate; the context must determine whether the physical act or the volitional and emotional ideas are intended. On the other hand, the New Testament word means “to kiss (the hand or ground)”. The idea of physical prostration is much less prominent than in the Old Testament. The New Testament idea of worship is a combination of a reverential attitude of the body and mind, feeling of awe, adoration, and veneration. The total idea of worship in both the Old and New Testaments must come not only from the word specifically so translated but also from the whole description of worshipful feelings and actions as they are portrayed in the Scriptures [Crannell, 1995-96, “worship”; Vine, 1985, “to worship” and “worship (verb and noun)”].
Most of us understand that we are to worship and serve Yahweh our God and him only and that we are not to exalt any other god or thing above him.
Deut 5:6-9 “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 7 You shall have no other gods before me. 8 “You shall not make an engraved image for yourself, nor any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 9 you shall not bow down (shachah) yourself to them, nor serve them; for I, Yahweh, your God, am a jealous God, WEB (See also Ex 20:3-5.)
Ps 86:9-10 All nations you have made will come and worship (shachah) before you, Lord. They shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great, and do wondrous things. You are God alone. WEB
When the words “shachah and proskuneo” are used to refer to the worship of men it has nothing to do with exalting man to a level with God. It only refers to worship that man rightly deserves. The context determines to who and for what reason proper worship is given.
Abraham gave worship to the Sons of Heth who were his hosts while he sojourned in their land.
Gen 23:3-7 Abraham rose up from before his dead, and spoke to the children of Heth, saying, 4 “I am a stranger and a foreigner living with you. Give me a possession of a burying-place with you, that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” 5 The children of Heth answered Abraham, saying to him, 6 “Hear us, my lord. You are a prince of God among us. Bury your dead in the best of our tombs. None of us will withhold from you his tomb. Bury your dead.” 7 Abraham rose up, and bowed (shachah) himself to the people of the land, even to the children of Heth. WEB
Joseph’s brothers came and bowed down before him because he was placed as ruler over the land.
Gen 42:6 Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph’s brothers came, and bowed (shachah) themselves down to him with their faces to the earth. WEB
Ruth fell on her face bowing to the ground before Boaz, showing him honor and respect for the kindness he showed her.
Ruth 2:8-10 Then said Boaz to Ruth, Don’t you hear, my daughter? Don’t go to glean in another field, neither pass from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens. 9 Let your eyes be on the field that they reap, and go after them: haven’t I charged the young men that they shall not touch you? and when you are thirsty, go to the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn. 10 Then she fell on her face, and bowed (shachah) herself to the ground, and said to him, Why have I found favor in your sight, that you should take knowledge of me, seeing I am a foreigner? WEB
David bowed to Saul, calling him his lord and king.
1 Sam 24:8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. When Saul looked behind him, David bowed (shachah) with his face to the earth, and did obeisance. WEB
Abigail bowed before David as her lord.
1 Sam 25:23-24 When Abigail saw David, she hurried, and alighted from her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed (shachah) herself to the ground.24 She fell at his feet, and said, On me, my lord, on me be the iniquity; and please let your handmaid speak in your ears. Hear the words of your handmaid. WEB
Joab prostrated himself as a servant before King David and called him lord.
2 Sam 14:22 Joab fell to the ground on his face, and did obeisance (shachah), and blessed the king: and Joab said, Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant. WEB
The sons of the prophets bowed to the ground before Elisha when they saw that he had the spirit of Elijah.
2 Kings 2:15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho over against him saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah does rest on Elisha. They came to meet him, and bowed (shachah) themselves to the ground before him. WEB
The descendants of those who afflicted and abused God’s people (Zion) will worship at their feet.
Isa 60:14 The sons of those who afflicted you shall come bending to you; and all those who despised you shall bow themselves down (shachah) at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The city of Yahweh, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. WEB
Jesus will make those of the synagogue of Satan come and worship at the feet of the saints.
Rev 3:9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of those who say they are Jews, and they are not, but lie. Behold, I will make them to come and worship (proskuneo) before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. WEB
Jesus was worshiped as King of the Jews, who was born and who was given this kingship. Jesus was appointed to rule over the works of God’s hands.
Matt 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east, and have come to worship (proskuneo) him.” WEB see also Matt 2:11
Those who came into contact with Jesus understood that he was in a position of lordship.
Matt 15:22-25 Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders, and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely demonized!” 23 But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” 24 But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 But she came and worshiped (proskuneo) him, saying, “Lord, help me.” WEB see also Matt 8:2
A certain ruler who worshiped Jesus did so with the understanding that Jesus had authority. The crowds also understood that Jesus received his authority from God and for this reason glorified God for the mighty works that God did through Jesus.
Matt 9:18 While he (Jesus) told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped (proskuneo) him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” WEB
Demons recognized Jesus as the Son of God and worshipped him. The demons also knew that he was not God but one with authority from God, for they implored him by God not to torment them.
Mark 5:6-9 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed (proskuneo) down to him, 7 and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.” 8 For he said to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” WEB
John 9:35-38 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and
finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of God?” 36 He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped (proskuneo) him. WEB
- Nestle-Aland and United Bible Society Greek text have Son of man
Jesus, being a Jew, understood the proper worship (John 4:20-26) that belonged to God alone. He also understood the worship that was properly given and received by man. If we understand this, we will have no problem when we see man worshiped in scripture.
By Clint Griffith
All Authority is Under God
The only way that man has the right to rule over the affairs of men is if they are under the authority of God. Rulers that are ordained by God are servants of God to protect the innocent and are ministers of God to bring judgment upon those that do wickedly.
Rom 13:1-7 Let every soul be in subjection to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from (Gk, hupo under) God, and those who exist are ordained by God. 2 Therefore he who resists the authority, withstands the ordinance of God; and those who withstand will receive to themselves judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. Do you desire to have no fear of the authority? Do that which is good, and you will have praise from the same, 4 for he is a servant of God to you for good. But if you do that which is evil, be afraid, for he doesn’t bear the sword in vain; for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him who does evil. 5 Therefore you need to be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For this reason you also pay taxes, for they are ministers of God’s service, attending continually on this very thing. 7 Give therefore to everyone what you owe: taxes to whom taxes are due; customs to whom customs; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. WEB
The ordinances that are made by kings and governors are to be made to fulfill the will and purposes of God and not their own.
1 Peter 2:11-17 Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; 12 having good behavior among the nations, so in that which they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. 13 Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; 14 or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evil-doers and for praise to those who do well. 15 For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bond servants of God. 17 Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. WEB
Jer 23:16-32 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, Don’t listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you: they teach you vanity; they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of Yahweh. 17 They say continually to those who despise me, Yahweh has said, You shall have peace; and to everyone who walks in the stubbornness of his own heart they say, No evil shall come on you. 18 For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? who has marked my word, and heard it? 19 Behold, the tempest of Yahweh, even his wrath, is gone forth, yes, a whirling tempest: it shall burst on the head of the wicked 20 The anger of Yahweh shall not return, until he has executed, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days you shall understand it perfectly. 21 I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I didn’t speak to them, yet they prophesied. 22 But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. 23 Am I a God at hand, says Yahweh, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places so that I shall not see him? says Yahweh. Don’t I fill heaven and earth? says Yahweh. 25 I have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. 26 How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, even the prophets of the deceit of their own heart? 27 who think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbor, as their fathers forgot my name for Baal. 28 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the wheat? says Yahweh. 29 Isn’t my word like fire? says Yahweh; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? 30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, says Yahweh, who steal my words everyone from his neighbor. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, says Yahweh, who use their tongues, and say, He says. 32 Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, says Yahweh, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their vain boasting: yet I didn’t send them, nor commanded them; neither do they profit this people at all, says Yahweh. WEB
There are those that have set themselves up as having authority from God and speak for him when he has not spoken to them or sent them.
Ezek 13:6-9 They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, Yahweh says; but Yahweh has not sent them: and they have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed. 7 Haven’t you seen a false vision, and haven’t you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, Yahweh says; but I have not spoken? 8 Therefore thus says the Lord Yahweh: Because you have spoken falsehood, and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you, says the Lord Yahweh. 9 My hand shall be against the prophets who see false visions, and who divine lies: they shall not be in the council of my people, neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither shall they enter into the land of Israel; and you shall know that I am the Lord Yahweh. WEB
Jer 29:21-26 Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, concerning Ahab the son of Kolaiah, and concerning Zedekiah the son of Maaseiah, who prophesy a lie to you in my name: Behold, I will deliver them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall kill them before your eyes; 22 and of them shall be taken up a curse by all the captives of Judah who are in Babylon, saying, Yahweh make you like Zedekiah and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire; 23 because they have worked folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I didn’t command them; and I am he who knows, and am witness, says Yahweh. 24 Concerning Shemaiah the Nehelamite you shall speak, saying, 25 Thus speaks Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, saying, Because you have sent letters in your own name to all the people who are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah, the priest, and to all the priests, saying, 26 Yahweh has made you priest in the place of Jehoiada the priest, that there may be officers in the house of Yahweh, for every man who is mad, and makes himself a prophet, that you should put him (Jeremiah) in the stocks and in shackles. WEB
The scriptures are clear that there are those that have been set up as rulers that are not approved by God.
Hos 8:4 They have set up kings, but not by me. They have made princes, and I didn’t approve. Of their silver and their gold they have made themselves idols, That they may be cut off. WEB
The rulers that oppose the will of God have no authority over us.
Acts 4:18-21 They called them, and charged them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, judge for yourselves, 20 for we can’t help telling the things which we saw and heard.” 21 When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. WEB
Acts 5:40-42 They agreed with him. Summoning the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 They therefore departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’ name. 42 Every day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and preaching Jesus, the Christ. WEB
Jesus has been given all authority by God and has given that authority to others that we might do his will.
Matt 28:18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. WEB
Rev 2:26-27 He who overcomes, and he who keeps my works to the end, to him I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: WEB
God has never given his authority to leaders to do evil. There are leaders that have been ordained by God that have turned their backs on God and have become wicked and evil rulers. God will judge those wicked rulers for all their evil deeds. Not only will he judge them but also those that align themselves with them.
Prov 29:2 When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; But when the wicked rule, the people groan. WEB
There has been all too many that have been and are ruling that are not under the authority of God that have caused us much great harm but God has raised up for us a faithful and just ruler. This ruler is Jesus Christ our Lord and in him those that desire righteousness can rejoice.
By Clint Griffith
Seeking the Face of God
God’s desire to have a meaningful relationship with man has never stopped but when man sinned and turned away from God the relationship that man had with God was greatly damaged.
Gen 3:8-10 They heard the voice of Yahweh God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Yahweh God among the trees of the garden. 9 Yahweh God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” WEB
Even after man turned his back on God, God still continued to seek man out.
Isa 65:1-2 by those who I am inquired of didn’t ask; I am found by those who didn’t seek me: I said, See me, see me, to a nation that was not called by my name. 2 I have spread out my hands all the day to a rebellious people, who walk in a way that is not good, after their own thoughts; WEB Rom 10:20
Acts 15:14-18 Simeon has reported how God first visited the nations, to take out of them a people for his name. 15 This agrees with the words of the prophets. As it is written, 16 ‘After these things I will return. I will again build the tent of David, which has fallen. I will again build its ruins. I will set it up, 17 That the rest of men may seek after the Lord; All the Gentiles who are called by my name, Says the Lord, who does all these things. 18 All his works are known to God from eternity.’ WEB
God will seek out his sheep even if his shepherds are not faithful.
Ezek 34:10-17 Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my sheep at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding the sheep; neither shall the shepherds feed themselves any more; and I will deliver my sheep from their mouth, that they may not be food for them. 11 For thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I myself, even I, will search for my sheep, and will seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day. 13 I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them into their own land; and I will feed them on the mountains of Israel, by the watercourses, and in all the inhabited places of the country. 14 I will feed them with good pasture; and on the mountains of the height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie down in a good fold; and on fat pasture shall they feed on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep, and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord Yahweh. 16 I will seek that which was lost, and will bring back that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but the fat and the strong I will destroy; I will feed them in justice. 17 As for you, O my flock, thus says the Lord Yahweh: Behold, I judge between sheep and sheep, the rams and the male goats. WEB
Isa 62:12 They shall call them The holy people, The redeemed of Yahweh: and you shall be called Sought out, A city not forsaken. WEB
If God did not want to have a close relationship with us, he would not of made a way for us to come into his presence.
1 Peter 3:18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; WEB
Heb 10:16-23 “This is the covenant that I will make with them: ‘After those days,’ says the Lord, ‘I will put my laws on their heart, I will also write them on their mind;'” then he says, 17 “I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.” 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. 19 Having therefore, brothers, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the way which he dedicated for us, a new and living way, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21 and having a great priest over the house of God, 22 let’s draw near with a true heart in fullness of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and having our body washed with pure water, 23 let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering; for he who promised is faithful. WEB
There is a right way and a wrong way to seek after God.
Isa 58:1-11 Cry aloud, don’t spare, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and declare to my people their disobedience, and to the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways: as a nation that did righteousness, and didn’t forsake the ordinance of their God, they ask of me righteous judgments; they delight to draw near to God. 3 Why have we fasted, say they, and you don’t see? why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast you find your own pleasure, and exact all your labors. 4 Behold, you fast for strife and contention, and to strike with the fist of wickedness: you don’t fast this day so as to make your voice to be heard on high. 5 Is such the fast that I have chosen? the day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head as a rush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Yahweh? 6 Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? 7 Isn’t it to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor who are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you not hide yourself from your own flesh? 8 Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and your healing shall spring forth speedily; and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of Yahweh shall be your rear guard. 9 Then shall you call, and Yahweh will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of you the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking wickedly; 10 and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then shall your light rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday; 11 and Yahweh will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in dry places, and make strong your bones; and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters don’t fail. WEB
1 Chron 15:13 For because you didn’t carry it (ark of God) at the first, Yahweh our God made a breach on us, because we didn’t seek him according to the ordinance. WEB
We are exhorted over and over again to seek the face of God.
Ps 105:4 Seek Yahweh and his strength. Seek his face forever more. WEB
1 Chron 16:10-11 Glory you in his holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice who seek Yahweh. 11 Seek you Yahweh and his strength; Seek his face forever more. WEB
1 Chron 22:19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Yahweh your God; arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Yahweh God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Yahweh, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Yahweh. WEB
1 Chron 28:9 You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found of you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever. WEB
2 Chron 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. WEB
Ps 24:3-10 Who may ascend to Yahweh’s hill? Who may stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart; Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, And has not sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, Righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek your face—even Jacob. Selah. 7 Lift up your heads, you gates; Be lifted up, you everlasting doors: The King of glory will come in. 8 Who is the King of glory? Yahweh strong and mighty, Yahweh mighty in battle. 9 Lift up your heads, you gates; Yes, lift them up, you everlasting doors: The King of glory will come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? Yahweh of Armies, He is the King of glory. Selah. WEB
Ps 119:1-2 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, Who walk according to Yahweh’s law. 2 Blessed are those who keep his statutes, Who seek him with their whole heart. WEB
Isa 55:6-7 Seek you Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near: 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. WEB
God desires that we would seek his face but it is up to us to choose to do so.
Ps 27:7-9 Hear, Yahweh, when I cry with my voice. Have mercy also on me, and answer me. 8 When you said, “Seek my face,” My heart said to you, “I will seek your face, Yahweh.” 9 Don’t hide your face from me. Don’t put your servant away in anger. You have been my help. Don’t abandon me, Neither forsake me, God of my salvation. WEB
2 Chron 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim, and the engraved images, and the molten images. WEB
Ps 27:4 One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after, That I may dwell in the house of Yahweh all the days of my life, To see Yahweh’s beauty, And to inquire in his temple. WEB
Ps 63:1-7 God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you, My flesh longs for you, In a dry and weary land, where there is no water. 2 So I have seen you in the sanctuary, Watching your power and your glory. 3 Because your loving kindness is better than life, My lips shall praise you. 4 So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, 6 When I remember you on my bed, And think about you in the night watches. 7 For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. WEB
Isa 26:8-9 Yes, in the way of your judgments, Yahweh, have we waited for you. Your name and your renown are the desire of our soul.9 With my soul have I desired you in the night. Yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you earnestly; for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness. WEB
2 Chron 15:15 All Judah rejoiced at the oath (to seek Yahweh); for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them: and Yahweh gave them rest round about. WEB
2 Chron 26:3-5 Sixteen years old was Uzziah when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jechiliah, of Jerusalem. 4 He did that which was right in the eyes of Yahweh, according to all that his father Amaziah had done. 5 He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the vision of God: and as long as he sought Yahweh, God made him to prosper. WEB
Ps 119:9-16 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 10 With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. 11 I have hidden your word in my heart, That I might not sin against you. 12 Blessed are you, Yahweh. Teach me your statutes. 13 With my lips, I have declared 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 consider your ways. 16 I will delight myself in your statutes. I will not forget your word. WEB
If we will be willing and open to seek God’s face, we will learn firsthand what it takes to have a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with him.
John 4:23-24 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” WEB
Man in his life time seeks after many things but if he does not seek out the heart and mind of God, does not seek his face he will end up like Adam and Eve when they hid their faces from God, alone, necked and afraid with the guilt of sin weighing heavily on their souls. Let us not fall into the same trap that Adam and Eve fell into, let us answer his call and seek his face.
By Clint Griffith
