Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Matthew 22:36-40: Love In Action:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Christ’s commands in this passage are more than “situation ethics” and “mere legalism” because they demand “internalized love.” [1] Jesus requires love for God and neighbor because true obedience only happens when true love accompanies action. [2] Christianity is a religion that demands the whole person, affections and action included.

Why is it so hard to have love infused works? Many unbelievers have stories about Christians being heartless in their care, or polite believers without delivery on their promises. There are many reasons for this, but we will focus on two. First, Christians still sin and need grace as they grow in godliness. [3] This does not excuse sin in believers, but reminders us to look to Jesus Whose perfection shines in weakness. Just as you would not let car salesmen keep you from buying a vehicle, do not let growing believers divert you from Christ. Secondarily, displeasure with Christian ministry can be founded in misunderstanding “love.” Love is not blind acceptance, as some teach, but showing the love of God in Christ to someone. [4] God’s love is unlike our love, but is the love we need to begin living the commandments.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] Beale, G.K. and Carson, D.A. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament. Edited by G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 81-82.

[2] Calvin, John. Commentary on a Harmony of the Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, and Luke Vol. 2. Trams. William Pringle. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1984), 59.

[3] Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 6:11, Romans 7:7-25; 8:13

[4] 1 John 4:7-11, 19-21. Dunn, “That’s What I Like,” (Sermon: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, FL, October 7, 2017).

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 96:7-9: Given His Due:

Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples,
    ascribe to the Lord glory and strength!
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
    bring an offering, and come into his courts!
Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness;
    tremble before him, all the earth!

In previous blogs on Psalm 96 we saw that God’s works and underserved grace is cause for singing (verses 1-3), and He is infinitely greater than any manmade religion (verses 4-6). Now Psalm 96:7-9 teaches the proper response to the Triune God is total and lifelong devotion to Him. We understand the need for this full hearted service from the word “ascribe.” “Ascribe” in “the passage . . .  would demand everyone to acknowledge the Lord Yahweh as the great king and offer such ascription of glory and greatness as is [equal] with his majesty.” [1] Accordingly, all people are expected to acknowledge God as their superior and give Him the praise He deserves.

But if God is so incredible, as verses 4-6 teach, how can we His creation give Him His due? Sadly, we cannot. [2] Is there any hope? If God is so great He justly deserves His due, and if He is not glorified He will rightly judge us. Yet, for those who believe in Jesus Christ judgment is already settled. [3] Christ perfectly ascribed to God His glory for us. [4] When we believe in Jesus His righteous works are placed on us and God sees His perfect attribution, not our poor praise. [5] Christians can be encouraged that the Holy Spirit helps us improve our ascribing to God. [6] Non-Christians can know that if they call on Jesus’ name God will see Christ’s work, and they are saved from the coming judgment.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] Gilchrist, P.R. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament Eds. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke, Chicago: Moody Press. 1999), Logos Bible Software 6, 368.

[2] Isaiah 64:6.

[3] Luke 23:34, Romans 4:25, 5:8.

[4] Matthew 5:17-20, Luke 24:36-49, John 10:15.

[5] Titus 3:3-8.

[6] 1 Peter 1:2, Romans 8:13.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 96:1-3: Belt It Out:

Oh sing to the Lord a new song;
    sing to the Lord, all the earth!
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
    tell of his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the nations,
    his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Perhaps you have had the experience (good or bad) where friends hears a song on the radio they like so much they turn it up, and belt their cover of the song. What makes people sing? What inspires people to “grace” you with ear piercing notes?

Psalm 96, and all of Scripture, teaches that God’s greatness is song worthy. The Bible praises God for Who He is,[1] His creation that praises Him back,[2] and for salvation.[3] The salvation and works that God is praised for often carry an idea of awe-inspiring deliverance, and can be spiritual. [4]

This salvation should make us sing because we do not deserve it. When we look at who we are, and what we have created, we find ourselves inferior and rebellious to God. [5] In our wickedness, Christ has died to deliver us. All shortcomings, shame, and sin are removed for those who believe in Christ. [6] If you are a non-Christ, know that if you confess Him as your only means of salvation you will have cause for singing. If you are a Christian, unashamedly belt the salvation that has been given to you so others can sing with you.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] 1 Chronicles 16:26-33; Psalm 8:1 & 9, 29:1, 30:4.

[2] 1 Chronicles 16:9, & 23-25; Psalm 19:1-6, 97.1, 98.7-8, Is. 42.10, Is. 60.6.

[3] Psalm 27:1, 40.3, 71:15 & 17, 92:9, 98:1-3 & 9, 145:12, Is. 25:9, 52:7, Revelation 5:9, 15:3.

[4] Hamilton, Victor P, et. al. Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, Vol. II. Ed. R. Laird Harris, Gleason L. Archer Jr., and Bruce K. Waltke. (Chicago, IL: Moody Bible Institute, 1980), 732, and Beale, and Carson, D.A. Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament.” Edited by G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2007), 1102.

[5] Psalm 51:5, Romans 3:9-20.

[6] Psalm 130:3-8, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 2:29-36, etc.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 96:4-6: Second To None:

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
    he is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols,
    but the Lord made the heavens.
Splendor and majesty are before him;
    strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

A modern teaching tells us, “You believe what you believe, and I believe what I believe.” This sentiment is not found in the Bible. In fact, Scripture is unapologetically clear that salvation is exclusively found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. [1] God’s Word is also explicit that following any god, religion, and/or system besides orthodox Christianity increases “sorrows.” [2]

The reason why unbiblical beliefs do not work is because they all are empty and worthless. [3] In contrast, God is more powerful, capable, holy, righteous, loving, wise, and just than anything people may create. [4] The mystery of the Gospel is that this Holy God has made the only way for us to behold his “splendor and majesty . . . in his sanctuary.” [5] By His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has absorbed God’s wrath on our behalf that we might worship Him. [6] Whether you are a Christian or non-Christian today you can repent of worship that is worthless, and embrace a holy, redeeming God Who is second to none.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] Psalm 62:1-2; 37:39; 130:7-8, Matthew 19:25-26, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:8-9, Revelation 7:10, etc.

[2] Psalm 16:4.

[3] Psalm 96:5, Isaiah 44:6-20, Jeremiah 10:11-12.

[4] Genesis 1:1, Leviticus 19:4, 1 Chronicles 16:25-27, Psalm 18:3; 29:1-2; 89:6-7; 95:3, Isaiah 42:5, Revelation 4-5.

[5] Psalm 96:6, Ephesians 3:1-6.

[6] Luke 23:34, John 17:19-21.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Isaiah 45:21-22: Our Court Summons:

Declare and present your case;
let them take counsel together!
Who told this long ago?
Who declared it of old?
Was it not I, the Lord?
And there is no other god besides me,
a righteous God and a Savior;
there is none besides me.

22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.

Many would enjoy dragging God to court for perceived wrongs, negligence, and/or injustice. Interestingly, in Isaiah, God summons people to court (Isaiah 41:1; 21-23, 43:9; 26, and 45:21). But those the LORD subpoenas find themselves as defendants, not prosecutors (Is. 41:1; 26; 44:7-8, 48:14, see also Deuteronomy 4:35, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Job 38-41:2, Psalm 11:7, 46:10, Zech. 3, Revelation 19:11-15, etc.). Why is the Almighty judging and condemning people? Isaiah explains that everyone’s, including our, best arguments, evidence, and actions for innocence amount to filthy rags (64:6). Accordingly, all people so are guilty before the divine Judge even our goodness demands our punishment. When we add on our crimes against God (sin) we all procure an eternal death sentence in Hell (Matthew 25:31-46, Rev. 21:8, etc.).

Praise be to God, there is one lawyer Who can take our case and win: Jesus Christ (1 John 2:1-2). Jesus represents us, and takes our guilt so the divine Judges sees His righteousness on us which grants His elect full pardon (Matthew 19:25-26, John 14:6, Romans 5; 10:9-10, 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, Colossians 1:15-20, Titus 3:1-8, Revelation 5, 7:14, 19:8, and so forth). Further, those cleared by Christ are promised: “Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Romans 8:33-34). Your court date is coming, have you lawyered up?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn