There. I’ve written it. 2019. A new year and new challenges. Many people like to look at the new year ahead and resolve to make big changes in their life. Maybe you have a bad habit you need to break, or you want to better yourself in some way and choose this time of year to promise to make those changes for the whole year. If so, I hope you’re successful. I’ve made many such resolutions over my 66 years and have never kept one. I start out with good intentions, then I forget for a day or two, and before February comes around I’m right back doing the same things I resolved to stop doing. Does that sound familiar?

Because of past failures, I’ve resolved not to make New Year’s resolutions! Maybe you feel the same way. A full year is a long time to look at when making big changes, so maybe it would be better to take it a day at a time. Here are a few suggestions as to where to start.

TODAY, PRAISE GOD. “Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being” (Psalm 146:1-2). 

It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to praise God. This shouldn’t be something we have to make an effort to do, but it should be a natural part of our Christian life. Everybody faces struggles and it’s easy to get distracted, but there never should be a time when we forget to praise God.

Too often we get blinded by the problems we face and dwell upon them. The problems become the focus of all our thoughts and we stop praising God. Even when we have a mountain of worries, we can find a reason to praise God. Did your child give you a hug “just because you’re the best?” Praise God. Did you find a flower hiding in the weeds? Praise God. There are many little things for which to give Him praise, but we overlook them while looking at our cares.

The sun comes up each morning and gives us warmth. God created the sun and placed it perfectly in the universe to benefit us. A soft breeze on a summer’s day is worthy of giving God praise. Even when things seem to be going wrong, praise Him. Remember, He sees tomorrow and knows how the turmoil of today will end. The most important thing to praise Him for is His love. Because He loves us, He went to the cross to purchase our redemption. If you’ve accepted that sacrifice, then no matter what happens in this life you’ll live forever with Him.  Praise God that He will never leave you.

TODAY, SEEK GOD. “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:2).

We all have hopes and dreams, but too often we chase after the wrong things. It’s not wrong to desire the perfect spouse with whom to share your life and raise a family. It’s not wrong to seek a better job. (Scripture tells us that if we don’t work we aren’t entitled to eat.) Problems start when we desire good things for wrong reasons, or do wrong things to obtain our desires. That’s because we stop seeking God’s perfect will for our life.

Today, instead of seeking your own pleasure, seek God. Pray that today you will be more Christ-like in your words, actions, and attitudes. The things of this world will always leave you unsatisfied. If you seek after the world, you’ll never find satisfaction. Today, seek God. Look for Him in Scripture and get to know Him. Apply Scripture to your life, and live for God rather than for yourself. Seek ways that you can show His love to others.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Today, seek the things of God.

TODAY, DO GOD’S WILL, NOT YOURS. “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Too often we only look at things from our human perspective. We forget that God loves us, but He loves other people too. As I reflect back on my life, I can remember many prayers I prayed begging God to do things my way. Many of those prayers were answered “No” and some were answered “Wait.” Much unhappiness would have been avoided if I would have submitted to God’s will instead of thinking that I knew better. Instead of telling God what He needs to do for you, listen for His guidance today and submit to His will.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2).

We can be quick to ask God to do our will, but slow to do His. Today, turn that around and do His will.

TODAY, TREAT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE TREATED. “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). 

It’s easy to be short-tempered with people who annoy you. Anger feeds on itself, and before you know it, a misunderstanding will grow into an all-out battle. Anger will always make a bad situation worse. We never really know what another person is going through, and the person you’re angry with might need a friend. If you reach out in Christian love, you may win a soul to Christ.

Don’t take joy in another person’s failure, but show compassion. They are human beings with feelings. If the situations were reversed, wouldn’t you like compassion rather than condemnation? Instead of gossiping about a co-worker or an acquaintance, be the one who shows kindness and forgiveness. Just as a bad attitude is catching, so is a good attitude. Today, put backbiting and thoughts of revenge behind you, and treat others in the same way you would like to be treated.

TODAY, CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY. “A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). 

Words can hurt or they can be gentle. They can praise God or they can curse. Today, resolve to speak only words that don’t cause anger and aren’t vulgar.

“Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks” (Ephesians 5:4). 

Compliment a person instead of criticizing. Choose pleasing words rather than vulgar ones. God hears everything you say. When you stand before Him, will you tell Him the same joke you told your friends? Will you use His name to cuss or to praise? The words you speak today are known to Him, so choose them wisely. Lighthearted talk can ease a tense situation, but there are many jokes and jesting that should never be spoken. It would be better if today you use words to share the Gospel with someone rather than assuming they’ll learn of salvation from someone else. Today, speak in a way that is pleasing to God.

TODAY, THANK GOD. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). 

There are many things to thank Him for, but it’s so easy to forget to say those three words “Thank You, Lord.” Maybe a loved one was driving through a storm and made it home safely. That’s a reason to thank God. Did you get that much-needed raise? It’s God who deserves your thanks. If your bills have all been paid this month, that’s reason to give thanks. There are many things throughout the day that we should be thankful for, but just don’t think to tell Him thank You. Thanking Him is akin to praising Him.

TODAY, REPENT FROM YOUR SINS. We think of repentance happening when we first meet Jesus, and then we don’t have to do it again. It just doesn’t work that way. No matter how long we’ve been walking with the Lord, we still sin. We were justified when we first accepted Jesus, but the sanctification process takes time. Repentance means to change your mind. When you recognize something in your life as sin, repent and then stop doing that sin. You may be so blind to a sin which you continually commit that you think God’s OK with it, or you twist Scripture to make your sin acceptable.

Study Scripture to learn God’s ways and conform your life to Him. Pray as you read, and let the Holy Spirit show you things you need to repent of and change.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Even though we make excuses for our own sins, God sees sin as sin. Instead of making excuses about why it’s OK for you to continue to live in opposition to God, allow Him to search you and reveal any wickedness within you. Even a “small” sin can hinder your walk with the Lord. Today, turn from sin and live for God.

This is a short list of suggestions of things to work on daily. I’m sure you can think of others. If you resolve each day to make one change, before you know it you will have been walking closer to Jesus for a whole year. Take it a day at a time, but resolve to walk closer with God today.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.

 

Jesus – Our Kinsman Redeemer
“For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16).

The Old Testament book of Ruth is a love story. It’s also an Old Testament picture of a New Testament truth.

Naomi had moved from Bethlehem to Moab with her husband and two sons. While in Moab, Naomi’s husband died, and so did her two sons who had both married Moabite women. This left her alone except for her two Moabite daughters-in-law. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, and because they loved her, Orpah and Ruth decided to go with her. Eventually Orpah turned back but Ruth continued on to Bethlehem.

Naomi was in need of money because property she was entitled to had been sold. It wasn’t a permanent sale, because according to Jewish law it would return to the original owner in a jubilee year, but it could also be redeemed by a near kinsman. Naomi needed a kinsman to redeem the property for her. Until that could happen, Ruth went into the fields to glean grain which was left behind during harvest. This was a common practice that allowed the needy to have food.

Ruth went to a field owned by Boaz, who saw Ruth and took a liking to her. When Naomi found out that Boaz had made sure Ruth was able to glean plenty of food, she came up with a plan. Boaz was a kinsman and was qualified to redeem the property her husband had sold before he died. Boaz fell in love with Ruth and was willing to redeem the land, but there was a kinsman who was a closer relative who would have the right of redemption. Although he was a closer relative, he wasn’t willing; so Boaz redeemed the property and married Ruth.

Boaz and Ruth were the great-grandparents of King David. “And Salmon begat Boaz, and Boaz begat Obed, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David” (Ruth 4:21-22). The book is only four chapters long, but there are many deep studies that come from it. One is a picture of Jesus Christ, who is our Kinsman Redeemer.

What is a kinsman redeemer?

When the Law was given to Moses, there was one regarding redemption of property. “If thy brother be waxen poor and hath sold away some of his possession, and if any of his kin come to redeem it, then shall he redeem that which his brother sold” (Leviticus 25:25).

Not only was land governed by the law of redemption, but if a person owed a debt that he couldn’t repay, then he would become a slave to the one he owed money to in order to pay off what he owed. The law assured that a slave would be well treated and slaves could also be redeemed by the next of kin.

“After that he is sold he may be redeemed again; one of his brethren may redeem him: either his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any that is nigh of kin unto him of his family may redeem him; or if he be able, he may redeem himself” (Leviticus 25:48-49).

A kinsman redeemer had to be the next of kin or a close relative; he had to have the means to pay the price of redemption, and he had to be willing. As described in the Book of Ruth, Boaz was a qualified kinsman; he was able to pay the price of the redemption, and he was willing to do it. This is a picture of Jesus. Boaz is a picture-type of Jesus, Naomi is a picture-type of Israel, and Ruth is a picture-type of the Gentile bride.

Why do we need redemption?

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). God has always existed and nothing we see existed before God created it. There was no big bang or billions of years of evolution. God spoke the sun, moon, and stars into being. He created fish, birds, animals, and finally He created man in His own image. Jesus is God, and He is the Creator of everything.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

We have no concept of what the world was like at the beginning, but God saw it as good. Then Satan showed up. He lied, Eve was deceived, and Adam chose disobedience. Sin and death entered God’s perfect creation.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

God is perfect, and the ugliness of sin cannot stand in His presence. Because Adam had sinned, there was division which no man could mend. Adam and Eve had attempted to cover their sin by works (covering their nakedness with fig leaves), but God gave them a different covering.

“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). 

Blood sacrifice was the only way to temporarily cover sin. Many years later, Jewish Law gave great detail about sacrificing animals as sin offerings. Only animals were to be sacrificed, but their blood could never bring full redemption.

“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). 

Even though Adam’s sin brought separation, it didn’t stop God from loving people and desiring that the division be repaired. God did have a plan for full redemption.

The first step was to call out Abraham to be the father of the nation of Israel. When that nation was ready, He called Moses to lead them to the land God had given to them. Before they entered the Promised Land, God gave them the Law to instruct them as to how they should live. They had been in slavery in Egypt for centuries and had been surrounded by that pagan culture. The land they were about to enter was also filled with pagans who sacrificed humans and worshipped idols. The Israelites needed to be separate from the idol-worshipping Gentiles and learn to live by God’s standards.

Make no mistake; Christians today also need to turn from the pagan practices that surround us.

The Law was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai and the Jewish way of life was established. The rituals and sacrifices were works; and nobody is saved by works, but it served as a teacher.

“Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24-25). 

The Law gave instruction about how to live to please God, but nobody could ever perfectly conform to the Law. In fact, the Law didn’t even come close to God’s standard of perfection because no human can reach God’s standards.

We need redemption. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

We just can’t be perfect enough to be able to stand before our perfect God. That’s why Jesus chose to enter His creation. Jesus was fully God and fully human. This was accomplished when the human Mary, who was a virgin, was overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Because Mary was human, Jesus was qualified to be our Kinsman. Because God was the Father of the Child, Jesus’ blood was untainted by the sin that corrupts all of humanity.

In this way, Jesus met the requirements to be our Kinsman Redeemer. He willingly entered His creation; He was fully human, so He was our kin; and He was able to pay the debt that we cannot pay for ourselves by shedding His pure blood as the once-for-all sacrifice for our sin. He did this because of the pure love He has for us.

The plan of redemption was conceived long ago. When Adam sinned, that plan had already been decided upon. Long before the Law was given, Job proclaimed “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me” (Job 19:25-27).

The seed of Abraham was chosen to bring the Redeemer into the world, and the Law was given to show God’s standards. Even then, God knew that they would reject their Messiah. Because they rejected Him, salvation was made available to anyone who accepts His sacrifice.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). 

Salvation is only through Jesus’ shed blood, and it’s free for the asking.

Have you accepted His sacrifice?

There’s no doubt that you’ve sinned, as have I. You can receive forgiveness for your sins and receive eternal life just by asking. First, admit you’re a sinner. Even though we justify our own sins by making excuses, there’s no excuse. We cannot be good enough by our own merit to stand before God. This may not matter to you now, but one day you will die. If you haven’t accepted Christ for salvation, you won’t have a second chance. Your eternity will have been decided by your own choice.

When you accept Christ, you must believe. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).

From the moment you honestly and truly believe, then God no longer sees you through the ugliness of the sin in your life, but your sins have been forgiven because of faith in the shed blood of Jesus.

That’s really all there is to it, but keep in mind that your confession of faith should bring a change in your life. A new believer can’t know every sin they’ve ever committed. They don’t really know what sin is. That’s where Bible study comes in. Scripture is for our edification. New believers need to be mentored by those who are mature Christians. Even mature Christians still sin and are still learning to follow Christ. We need to mold our life around Christ and not try to mold Him to us. All sin can be forgiven, but it needs to be confessed.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

There’s no sin you’ve committed that is so bad that it can’t be forgiven. Confess your sin, ask Him to forgive you, then turn away from that sin.

Jesus is the only way of salvation. Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer.

God bless you all,

Nathele Graham

twotug@embarqmail.com

www.straitandnarrowministry.com

ron@straitandnarrowministry.com

Ron and Nathele Graham’s previous commentaries archived at https://www.raptureready.com/featured/graham/graham.html

All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God breathed.

If you’d like to be on my mailing list to receive the commentaries, just drop me an email and let me know.