August 15

August 15

Where there is a Will

We are not victims of environment as we are often led to suppose. Environment does not change us as much as we change our environments.


The places where we abide do not change us as much as the company we keep. Environment does not so much change us as we, even as individuals, change environment. Furthermore, when we keep good company we collectively can change the places where we live. The company we keep also determines who we become. People who fellowship with honest and virtuously bent people will assume their affinity for life. Those who listen to evil will find themselves paying attention to spiteful speech:

Proverbs 17
4 A wicked man listens to evil lips; a liar pays attention to a malicious tongue.

We will help ourselves to cleanse ourselves by honest recognition of our own weaknesses, decide that we want to turn from those ways and find the cleansing of forgiveness to ascend into the sphere of life and language (the scriptures) where the Lord abides. To this world the Lord’s is a far country but to the believer it is only a short step.

Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.
5 He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. Selah

As we set our hearts by faith we can abide in Christ who keeps us in this state of blamelessness. This place is life to us. It is a practical life which grows from the commitment to do what will keep us near Him by abiding prayerfully in his fellowship whether we walk or bend a knee. Whenever we are enticed to do what unbelievers do, say what they say and live as they live it is likely we will lose the sense of His presence. He is there calling us back:

Psalm 15
A psalm of David.
1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.