James 2:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  James 2:14  

“What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?” – James 2:14

This verse refers to a very important concept that we must focus on in order to live the life Christ has called us to live.  It presents the question, is faith real with no works?  James then presents the following example.  “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?” James 2:15-16.  He implies at the end, through the words “what use is that?”   their words of encouragement mean nothing.

Let me present another example.  You are walking in the woods in a place you have never been before.  After a time, you come across a bridge that goes over a deep canyon.  The bridge is made of rope and sways in over the deep ravine.  The one walking with you says he walks across this all the time; it is completely safe.  You tell him you believe him that it is safe, however you refuse to cross the gorge.  Do you then really have faith in what He said? 

One thing about faith is we must show, not just by words but by actions, that we truly have faith.  And when it comes to faith in God, this is especially important.  And the works implied here is not just reading the bible and other so-called Christian deeds, although this is important for us to grow in our faith.  If you claim to be a Christian, do you live as Christ did while here?  Do we follow and live out the two great commands Jesus gave us?  “‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.  This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” Matthew 22:37-39.   Do we truly exhibit these qualities?  If we do not, then is our faith true faith, or merely words?  This speaks of loving each other as He has loved us.  This is a sign of true devotion.  The man mentioned above who only spoke encouraging words to the one who needed clothing and daily food without providing it for them did not show love to them at all and did not follow what Jesus asks of us. 

Jesus calls us to love each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”  John 15:12.  Jesus provided for us by dying on the cross for our sins.  This showed the reality of the love He had for us.  And if we only speak of our salvation through Christ without living in the reality of it, then is it true salvation?    

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Isaiah 30:9

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Isaiah 30:9

“For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen to the instruction of the LORD.” – Isaiah 30:9

This particular verse is a prophecy that Isaiah receives from God regarding what Assyria will do and ultimately how Israel will respond.  The northern kingdom of Israel would soon be conquered by Assyria, and the people of Israel would be taken into exile. The Assyrians would then come against the land of Judah, and because of this threat the leaders of Judah looked to Egypt for protection against the Assyrian invasion.  “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “Who execute a plan, but not Mine, And make an alliance, but not of My Spirit, In order to add sin to sin, Who proceed down to Egypt Without consulting Me, to take refuge in the safety of Pharaoh And to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt!” Isaiah 30:1-2.  God tells them that the plan they have devised was not His and the alliance they were making for their protection was not with Him. 

However, this alliance will be a shame to them, causing humiliation because they thought they would be safer with Egypt than with God.  “Everyone will be ashamed because of a people who cannot profit them, Who are not for help or profit, but for shame and also for reproach.” Isaiah 30:5.  Egypt was not going to save them.  They were not going to protect them from the most powerful kingdom on the earth at that time.  They did not want to get involved, for they knew they could not defeat them, therefore they simply wanted to stay clear of the whole issue.  “For this is a rebellious people, false sons, Sons who refuse to listen To the instruction of the LORD.” Isaiah 30:9.  However, though they are rebellious, God is still gracious with them.  “Therefore, the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him.” Isaiah 30:9. However, they must call out to Him and no other, in this example, the kingdom of Egypt. 

Paul, in the book of 2 Timothy, writes to educate Christians by preaching His word to them.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:1-2.  And it is imperative that we do this today.  For we see the fulfillment of the prophecy spoken in the next two verses.  “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4.  This speaks of acting as the tribe of Judah did in not listening to God but doing as they desired. Does this sound similar to what Isaiah tells Judah they are doing?  “Who say to the seers, “You must not see visions”; And to the prophets, “You must not prophesy to us what is right, Speak to us pleasant words, Prophesy illusions.” Isaiah 30:10.

It is important that we listen to teachers who teach the truth of the scriptures, no matter what it says, and not what we desire to hear.  We see that today where people do not want to hear where they are wrong or where they need to stop engaging in activities that are pleasurable yet sinful.  They turn away from what is true to follow myths that make them feel good.  We need to learn what is good and follow it while turning away from what is not good and leads us away from Christ.  The people of Judah chose to ignore God, telling prophets and seers to tell them only what they wanted to hear and not what they needed to hear.  Let us not fall into this same error.

And because they did not listen to God and chose another

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Romans 7:7

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Romans 7:7  

“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” – Romans 7:7

Over the last ten daily devotions we looked at each of the ten commandments, one per day, listed in Exodus 20:2-17.  Should we follow what they say?  There is a belief system out there that says no, it is not necessary.  However, it is critical that we do, but not for the reason many people think.

There is a deception called “antinomianism” that says it is ok for us not to follow the law found in the scriptures.  The word antinomianism comes from two Greek words, anti, meaning “against”; and nomos, meaning “law.” Antinomianism means “against the law.” Theologically, antinomianism is the belief that there are no moral laws God expects Christians to obey. Antinomianism takes a biblical teaching to an unbiblical conclusion. The biblical teaching is that Christians are not required to observe the Old Testament Law as a means of salvation. When Jesus Christ died on the cross, He fulfilled the Old Testament Law.  The unbiblical conclusion is that there is no moral law God expects Christians to obey.

The apostle Paul dealt with this belief in his letter to the Romans.  “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” Romans 6:1-2.  When we became a Christian, we died to sin.  Paul, in a rhetorical fashion basically is saying, “If sin has been the occasion of grace and favor, ought we not to continue in it, and commit as much as possible, in order that grace might abound? This objection the apostle proceeds to answer. He shows that the consequence does not follow; and proves that the doctrine of justification does not lead to continuing in sin.  So if we died to sin due to His grace and love, why would we want to continue and nullify His work in us.  “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.” Romans 6:9. 

And also, we show our love for God through following His commandments.  “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3.  It is not that following the law saves us, it is that we demonstrate our love for Him by obeying His laws.  We are not under the Old Testament Law; we are under the law of Christ. The law of Christ is not an extensive list of legal codes. It is a law of love. If we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, we will do nothing to displease Him. If we love our neighbors as ourselves, we will do nothing to harm them. Obeying the law of Christ is not a requirement to earn or maintain salvation. The law of Christ is what God expects of a Christian.

Antinomianism is not what the bible teaches, in fact it is contrary to all that is taught in the scriptures. God desires and expects us to live a life of morality, integrity, and love. Christ freed us from the burdensome commands of the Old Testament Law, but this does not give us a license to sin. Instead, it is a covenant of grace. Our goal is to overcome sin and cultivate righteousness as our lifestyle.  And the only way we can do this is through the Holy Spirit. The fact that we are graciously freed from the demands of the Old Testament Law should result in living our lives in obedience to the law of Christ.  “By this we know that we have come to know Him if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.” 1 John 2:3-6.

Therefore, I encourage everyone to obey His commands in all ways, for this shows you are a true follower of God.  If we take the path of antinomianism, then we show we do not truly love Him as we profess.  And this is the reason we obey His commands, not to be saved, but in essence to show that we are truly saved.  He has freed us from our slavery to sin.  Let us prove it by the Godly life we live.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:17

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:17

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:17

We are now on the last of the ten commandments.   This one speaks of covetousness.  Two different Hebrew words are used in the passages condemning coveting.  These are our focus verse and then “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field or his male servant or his female servant, his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Deuteronomy 5:21.  I will not get into the actual Hebrew words, but they both mean to lust after or to long for with great desire.  And since both references to this commandment are worded as something we should not do, the desire in this case is for something that the one who desires does not rightfully own and should not lust after it.  In this commandment, we are told not to lust after others possessions such as their house, land or animals.  We are also not to lust after people in their lives, such as spouses, children or anyone else. 

Whereas several of the ten commandments prohibit certain actions such as theft, murder, or bearing false witness this one focus’ on internal desires of the heart.  James put it this way.  “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:14-15.  Many sins are conceived from coveting what another has but we desire to have at their expense; improperdesires ofhavingsomethingwhich will be a gratification to ourselves.  “Oh how I desire to have his car” or “Oh to have his estate”.  This is desiring the things of another.  This is far different than desiring one like they have.  Coveting has the idea of having what they have to their loss.    

At its root, coveting is the result of envy, a sin which, once it takes root in the heart, leads to worse sins.  An example of this is coveting or lusting after a neighbor’s wife, which in essence is adultery.  Also, when we desire something so strong we may succumb to other sins, such as stealing something and then lying about it.  And if things get bad, lying in court or possibly killing them.  This in the vast majority of cases is not going to happen, but you can see the possibilities here. 

The reason covetousness is condemned is a good one.  At its very core, coveting is love of self.  And envious, selfish citizens are unhappy and discontented citizens.  And besides, covetousness is a form of idolatry.  “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.” Colossians 3:5.  And idolatry is definitely a sin which God detests.  In  the end, envy and covetousness are tools of the enemy to distract us from pursuing the one thing that will make us happy and content, that being God Himself.  “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8. 

The apostle Paul struggled with covetousness and he learned this lesson of contentedness.  “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.  I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13.  If we learn how to accept our life and ways as God has given them to us, we can learn how not to covet anything and please God in all we do.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:16

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:16 

“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” – Exodus 20:16

We are now on the ninth commandment which we see above in our focus verse. 

This commandment forbids any type of lying or deception which can or will be at the detriment of our neighbor.  And by our neighbor is meant any person.   This can be lying, equivocating, and any way devising and designing to deceive our neighbor.  This can take the form of either lying to the person or lying about them.  This idea of bearing false witness is mentioned many times in the bible, and pretty much exclusively as a negative idea.  In the book of proverbs it says, “There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:” Proverbs 6:16.  In these seven things God hates, you will find at least two that are intended in this ninth commandment.  “Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.” Proverbs 6:17-19.  God himself considers these as an abomination to Him.

Now this does not include playing jokes on someone, such as telling them their favorite football team, like the Seattle Seahawks lost when they actually won, you forgot to pick up their shirt at the cleaners when it is sitting in your car, or that you like a certain food that you really do not.  These are harmless words that have no real negative impact.  The types of deception intended here is what can cause problems to them. 

The idea of bearing a false witness is one who stands up and swears before others that something untrue is true, especially with the intention of hurting someone else or ruining his or her reputation.  David experienced this and he prays that his adversaries do not get their desired objective.  “Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.” Psalm 27:12. and the Jewish leadership searched for false witnesses against Jesus but were not successful.  “Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death.  They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.”  Matthew 26:61. 

Another example of bearing a false witness is to tell a person to perform an action that will benefit them which actually has a negative outcome.  I remember being invited to a presentation where several men were offering income to people who would give them 100 leads, they could pursue for selling a service, and after all these leads were used up, then they could begin earning money themselves.  After asking a few questions, I realized this was a scam and the intention was to exhaust their benefit entirely from their family and friends.  Once they determined I had figured this out, several men asked me to follow them, and they proceeded to make me leave.  One of the clues that led me to question it was they locked the door with a key from the inside.

The lies told by a false witness come from the sinful human heart.  “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matthew 15:19-20.  Their only intention is to benefit in some way from another’s demise.  This shows no love for anyone else but themselves, working solely for their own benefit.   This is not what God has called us to.  We are to do good to everyone over and above our own self.  “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” Galatians 6:9-10.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:15

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:15

“You shall not steal.” – Exodus 20:15

“We move on now to the eighth commandment which we see above in our focus verse. 

Stealing is defined as taking another’s property without permission and without intending to return it, in essence making it our own.  Even if the person has made it known they do not necessarily like an item, to take it without them knowing it is still stealing, maybe not the current owner, but ultimately the person they may have planned to give it to.  I have had various items stolen from me, some that did not affect me that much, but also some that created in me a sense of loss.

However, there are many different forms of thievery.  For instance, taking longer on our lunch breaks at work without making up the time, or leaving early and/or arriving late without ensuring the hours paid for are covered.  I remember when I worked for an IT consulting company.  On my last day, I turned in my time sheet and my supervisor told me to amend the time sheet so they could bill the client for forty hours that week.  I told him I could not do that because I was assigned to other work as well and could not put in the full forty.  He demanded I adjust my time sheet, but I told him I would not, for that would be charging them for hours not worked.  When he continued to insist I comply, I told him I would not because they did not owe anything for time not devoted to them.  Another form of theft is taking credit for what another has accomplished.  This could result in the theft of bonuses that were awarded or in acclamations accorded for the effort given.

It is important to understand that the victims of theft know the horrible feelings that these actions produce.  The very act of someone taking what may have been an especially precious gift from a loved one causes deep hurts and wounds as well as make us feel vulnerable and often times angry.  Theft has a tremendous impact on society as a whole.  It disturbs societal stability and often excites feelings of fear and possibly desires for revenge.

Stealing from another, whether we know the person or not, goes against the two commandments that Jesus said encompass all the other laws and the prophets.  “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.  This is the great and foremost commandment.  The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.“. Matthew 22:37-40. If we truly love God, we will desire to honor Him in all we say and in all we do, and ultimately do not do such as not stealing.  And if we love our neighbor as ourselves, we will not take from them anything that is theirs without their knowledge and permission. 

So, in closing, let us make our focus in expressing our love to God and to our neighbor by doing what is truly loving and in their best interests.  God loves us far beyond our ability to comprehend.  And we should express this love to each other.  “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12. And stealing is a sign of greed, not love.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:14

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:14 

“You shall not commit adultery.” – Exodus 20:14 

We move on now to the seventh commandment which we see above in our focus verse. 

According to modern dictionary’s, they define adultery as voluntary sexual relations between a married person and a person who is not his or her spouse.  In the old testament, in the law of Moses, we see a similar idea.  “You shall not have intercourse with your neighbor’s wife, to be defiled with her.” Leviticus 18:20.  Moses is more clear and specific about consequences in Deuteronomy.  “If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die, the man who lay with the woman, and the woman; thus you shall purge the evil from Israel.” Deuteronomy 22:22.  It is clear from these definitions that adultery refers to a consensual sexual union. What is not explicitly clear is whether or not both partners in this illicit sexual union are married. The biblical commands prohibit a man from taking another man’s wife, but do not indicate whether or not the man is also married. Be that as it may, it is safe to say that if a person who is married willingly seeks a sexual encounter with another person, whether or not that person is also married, both people are guilty of committing adultery.    

God made it clear that a man and a woman who are married to each other are to be committed completely to each other.  “For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife; and they shall become one flesh.”  Genesis 2:24.  These two shall be one flesh, shall be considered as one body, having no separate or independent rights, privileges, cares, concerns, etc., each being equally interested in all things that concern the marriage state.  That does not mean they cannot have independent interests; they just cannot bring separation between the two which may result in a breaking of the marriage relationship.

Now, just as in the sixth commandment where what is in the heart or mind of an individual, referring there to hatred of someone being equivalent to murder, in the case of adultery, it is lust that is its equivalent activity.  Jesus speaking to His disciples said, “You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery, but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28.  Many people, as the Pharisees did, see no problem or sin in what is happening in the mind, as long as it is not exhibited in an external act.  However, Jesus throws that idea out with declaring hatred = murder, and here lust = adultery.  And this includes  pornography which fuels the lust that is found in the heart.  We must be careful to keep our mind free of lustful thoughts, for even though no one else knows what is going on, God knows our hearts and knows absolutely everything about us and nothing is hidden.

Adultery is in essence absolute corruption of the  marriage bond which God created for out good.  Through this sin, our enemy tempts us to seek fulfillment of these desires in ways outside of what God has ordained.  Adultery tears the fabric of our society by ripping apart marriages and families which are the foundation of society.  And through it, Satan is luring people away from what is good, true and loving; that which is of God.  

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:13

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:13   

“You shall not murder.” –  Exodus 20:13

We move on now to the sixth commandment which we see above in our focus verse.   

We are told explicitly not to take the life of another.  Now this does not forbid our necessary defense or decisions made by courts who are responsible for keeping the peace.  And this is because these authorities are established by God.  “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.  Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”  Romans 13:1-2.  And why are we to follow them?  Because these authorities are ministers of God for the good.  “For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience’ sake.” Romans 13:3-5. 

This command refers to the protection of life from wrongful death.  We see the first murder in Genesis four, and we also see how God abhorred it.  “Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.  Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper? He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.”  Genesis 4:6-10.  And God rebuked him and laid out the punishment.  “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.” Genesis 4:11-12. This punishment was so severe that, “Cain said to the LORD, “My punishment is too great to bear!“ Genesis 4:14.  God made it clear that any form of murder is unacceptable.

The reason Cain killed Abel was he was angry, for God accepted Abel’s offering but not his.  God told him “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7.  Anger and hatred were welling up in him, and God connects hatred with murder, as John wrote “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15.   Therefore, we must not hate anyone, but as the scriptures states, “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31.

So, what is murder?  From a human perspective, it is the physical act of taking another’s life outside the jurisdiction of the courts.  However, we must also consider that God defines it as we do, however He goes beyond this including any thought or feeling of deep-seated hatred or malice against another person.  In other words, it is more than just a physical act that constitutes murder to God. for He tells us that anyone who harbors hatred in our hearts for another is also guilty of murder in the eyes of God.  The disdain towards another person never has to be demonstrated outwardly because God looks in our heart for the truth.  And if we do not obey this, we will face the consequences at the judgement.    

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:12

Verse of the Day Devotion: Exodus 20:12

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” – Exodus 20:12

In the last Daily Devotion, we looked at not using the name of the Lord in a way that was vain and not honorable and reverent which He is worthy of.  The first four commandments were on are found on what is known as the first tablet, addressing our relationship.  These next six are found on the second tablet which addresses our relationship with our fellow man.  This goes perfectly with what Jesus said to the Sadducee that asked Him what the greatest commandment was.  “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. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend on the whole Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40.  Note the two parts.  “You shall love the Lord your God” goes with the first tablet; commandments 1-4, while “Love you neighbor as yourself” goes with the second tablet; commandments 5-10.

The word “honor” comes from the same Hebrew word from which “glory” does.  We are to show them reverence as Moses said in Leviticus.  “Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:3. This is not to infer that we are to worship them, but that we honor them for who they are, our parents, the ones who gave birth to us and cared for us when we could not care for ourselves.  We should come when they call, go where they send us, and do what they bid us to do.  We are not to do what they tell us not to do, in all things doing them cheerfully and out of love.  We are to respect them and respect their advice, for they desire the best for us. 

Paul wrote this to the Church in Ephesus regarding this verse. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG ON THE EARTH.” Ephesians 6:1-3.  Paul is emphasizing the promise in this commandment, that being “that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.” Exodus 20:12b.  We see a clarification of this in Deuteronomy.  “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” Deuteronomy 5:16.  If they honor them, things will go well for them in the land which the Lord has given them.  Long life was considered a blessing in itself.  And the wording “that your days may be prolonged and that it may go well with you on the land which the LORD your God gives you.” denotes the blessing of a long and fruitful life.

It is important that we honor our parents by following their advice and obeying them.  They gave birth to us and they spent many years taking care of us, and preparing us for the life we live now, and will live if we are still at home.  Too many kids today do not listen to their parents, and they find themselves getting in trouble from going astray.  And as adults, we should still listen to our parents for they can be the source of much wisdom.  They can tell us times where they were struggling and help us not to struggle in the same way.  Therefore, listen to what they say and do not ignore them  Learn from their mistakes and their wisdom.  Things will go well if we do.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Exodus 20:8

Verse of the Day Devotion:  Exodus 20:8

“Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” –  Exodus 20:8

In the last Daily Devotion, we looked at not taking the Lord’s name in vain in our conversations or actions.  Today we will look at the fourth commandment which states, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 10:8.  The Israelites under the Mosaic Law were to remember that no work could be done on the seventh day of the week, which falls on Saturday. It covers the time period of sundown on Friday until sundown Saturday.  And this requirement not to work applied to all in Israel, men, women, children and servants.

The reason and basis for this is found in verse eleven.  “For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:11.  The word Sabbath has the meaning ‘day of rest’ or ‘intermission’.  Because God finished His work of creation in six days and rested, or took a day of intermission, on the seventh. And He blessed this day upon completion.  “Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” Genesis 2:3.  This was a day in which he took delight and pleasure, having finished all his works, and resting from them, and looking over them as very good.  And looking at the focus verse, He commanded the Israelites to ‘remember’ the Sabbath Day.  God conferred on the seventh day a specific honor and gave special privileges above those of the other six, being separated from common use and dedicated to sacred service.

The four-word phrase, ‘to keep it holy’ is actually a single word in Hebrew meaning ‘consecrate’ or ‘sanctify.  As stated above, this day was to be dedicated to the Lord.   The priests were to double the daily sacrifices on the Sabbath.  “Then on the sabbath day two male lambs one year old without defect, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering, and its drink offering: This is the burnt offering of every sabbath in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.” Numbers 28:9-10.  This marked the day with increased sacred activity.  The rest of the Israelites were to mark the day with decreased activity—no work at all—in honor of the Lord. 

And finally, later in the Book of Exodus, the Sabbath Day is also a sign between Israel and God of a covenant between them.  “But as for you, speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.” Exodus 31:13.  And then a couple verses down, “So the sons of Israel shall observe the sabbath, to celebrate the sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant.” Exodus 31:16. 

As Israel kept the Sabbath set apart, they were reminded that they were also being set apart.  As believers today who are under the New Covenant, we are not bound to keep this sign of the Old Covenant.  However, we are also set apart to be holy.  “As obedient children do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” 1 Peter 1:14-16.  We may not be called to keep the Sabbath, but we should remember it and  keep in mind that we are called to be holy as He is for it is a sign to us of our relationship with God and it is He who calls us to holiness because He says to us as well, “YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.”.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.