Psalm 119:103, 104
To commit a sin, no matter what kind of sin it is, always means that we are walking in a false way. Not only are we not walking in the right way, the way designed by and demanded by God, but we are saying something false. To ourselves we will be saying that this is a pleasant thing to do; but we are also saying to God that He is not God, may not tell us what to do, and has no right to intrude into our lives and tell us what to do.
That is why in Psalm 14:1 we read, that the fool hath said in his heart that there is no God. We say that there is no God every time we sin! But we ought to say what we read in Psalm 119:103-104, namely,"How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea sweeter than honey to my mouth. Through Thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way."
Did you notice that the psalmist stated that God's precepts give him understanding? That means that they give us the truth. God's law in no uncertain terms tells us the truth that He is God and that we are His servants. Through His precepts He causes us to understand that to sin is to walk in a false way, and that to obey Him is the true way in which we should walk.
Think that over today. If you sincerely say that to sin is to walk in a false way, you say with the psalmist that God's commandments are sweet in your mouth and that you hate that false way. You will then sing (PRC Psalter):
Sweeter are Thy words to me
Than all other good can be;
Safe I walk, Thy truth my light,
Hating falsehood, loving right.
The false way will lead you away from and against Christ and into the lake of fire with a bitter taste in your mouth. Walking in God's law you will be walking with Christ Who never left the way of love to God. Then you will come to God's house where you will enjoy the sweetness of His mercy and love. Then you will hear it said unto you, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
Read: Matthew 25: 1-30
Psalter versification: #333:4
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #130
Why not sing along??
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Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Isaiah 3 ; Isaiah 4 ; Isaiah 5:1-30
2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Psalm 53:1-6
Proverbs 22:28-29
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Quote for Reflection:
Discipleship: “Take my yoke upon you…” (Matt. 11:29 a) For many of today’s supposed Christians—perhaps the majority—it is the case that while there is much talk about Christ and even much furious activity, there is actually very little following of Christ Himself. And that means in some circles there is very little genuine Christianity. Many who fervently call Him ‘Lord, Lord’ are not Christians (Matt. 7:21)... There are several reasons that the situation I have described is common in today’s church. The first is a defective theology that has crept over us like a deadening fog. This theology separates faith from discipleship and grace from obedience. It teaches that Jesus can be received as one’s Savior without being received as one’s Lord… When Jesus used this image, he was saying that to follow Him was to submit to Him. It was to receive Him as Lord of one‘s life.” ~ James M. Boice
Additional Info
- Date: 9-September
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.