Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
Those in Christ are blessed with eternal life according to the promise of God’s Word, by faith in the completed work of Christ alone, and not of anything to do with their own efforts. However the blessedness in the sense of our happiness, peace and stability as believers is conditional. We must strive to enter and remain in the rest Christ secures for us, by turning away from ungodly counsel, departing from sinful lifestyles, and refraining from hypocrisy and scornfulness.
True godly counsel can only be found through the counsel of Scripture, and from those who look alone to the Scripture as a complete revelation from God for the fullness of their teaching and instruction.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
As followers of Christ we must delight in His Word, allowing it to take hold of our thoughts day and night. It is not sufficient to simply read through the Bible out of a sense of duty. Rather we shall find a passionate obsession for Christ and His ways grow within us through the internal work of His Spirit. It is the love of His truth, and intimate knowledge of Him that sets us free.
3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
If we are submitted to Christ in this manner, we shall be like a tree planted by a river. We shall bring forth fruit for His glory effortlessly, for just as a tree by the river, it is not the effort of the tree, but the location it is planted that causes abundant growth.
Also, just as with the tree, our leaves shall not wither. It is the leaves that help the tree to absorb the light, and expel oxygen. In the same manner, if we are rooted in Christ we shall draw from His strength, and our leaves shall be sensitive to draw in the Light of His Word, and expel that which should be expelled from us.
We shall prosper in the works that God has created us for. It is not like an empty “prosperity gospel” promise to become wealthy and affluent whilst clinging to the world. It is a promise to those who sacrifice all to abide in Christ, that they shall prosper in all that He has called them into.
4 The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
The ungodly are like dry and dusty chaff that is at the mercy of the wind. This can still apply to Christians who are in a place of rebellion in some measure, and only true repentance, and belief expressed through obedience, can lead a person back to a place of peace with God.
5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
Just one of many verses right the way through Scripture that flies in the face of universalism. Only those abiding in Christ shall stand in the Day of Judgement, and only those who abide in Christ, shall be considered worthy to dwell in His eternal congregation.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
The Lord knows those who are His, and has written their names in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All who put their trust in Him shall be named in this Book, and as a result shall inherit eternal life. However all who refuse to repent and believe the Gospel of Christ, and whose names are not recorded in this Book, shall be damned for eternity.
Originally posted 2010-01-14 10:03:39. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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