The Plumbline

11-14 God's readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation's available for everyone! We're being shown how to turn our backs on a godless, indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness. (Titus 2:11-14) New life in Christ is available to all - the simple fact is that we must choose to avail ourselves of what is right in front of us.  God stands ready to both give us his gift of grace and for forgive us in his mercy.  There have been periods of time in our growth as a society when that message came through loud and clear.  I am not so sure that God's message of salvation is as clear, or as loud as it once was - it has been drowned out by the m...

You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.   You’re blessed when you follow his directions, doing your best to find him.   That’s right – you don’t go off on your own; you walk straight along the road he set.   You, God, prescribed the right way to live; now you expect us to live it.   Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set; then I’d never have any regrets in comparing my life with your counsel.   I thank you for speaking straight from your heart; I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.   I’m going to do what you tell me to do; don’t ever walk off and leave me.   (Psalm 119:1-8) In examining this passage, I am challenged by the meaning of the word “follow”.  To follow implies many things that I have come to appreciate: To accept the authority of the one we make a matter of our focus or attention – it implies a condition of obedience to the authority and counsel of our ...