For today, One Year Bible Online links here.
If you spend your time with those who are always talking about what others are doing, pretty soon everyone will know what you are doing. More importantly, they will “know” it in a way that is unflattering to you.
If we act with integrity God will declare us innocent, but how can we be sure that we will act with integrity?
Remember that God examines our hearts and our minds, which should make us aware of His unfailing love and cause us to rely on His faithfulness. This results in us being uncomfortable when we find ourselves around liars and hypocrites, so uncomfortable that we choose to not be around them as soon as we are able. Our integrity will lead us to separate ourselves from gatherings of evildoers and to not aid the wicked in their projects (even those projects which appear to be innocent of their wickedness, because while that may appear to be the case, it is not).
Paul wraps up his letter to the Roman believers by warning them to watch our for, and stay away from those who cause divisions. This is an important message for the Church today. However, it is interesting to note who it is that Paul says causes divisions. The people who cause division are those who teach things which are contrary to what we have been traditionally taught. This strikes me as pointing out a mistake the Church often mistakes. All too often we have allowed and encouraged those who teach, but don’t practice, that some behavior is acceptable to remain in leadership positions.
In yesterday’s passage it told us that King Manasseh did many evil things until he was taken prisoner by the Assyrians. During his captivity he turned to God and repented his sins. Today’s passage starts out by describing how he acted after this transformation. He spent the rest of his life working to reverse the things he had done as a young man. Unfortunately, his son followed his youthful example rather than his mature example.
However, Manasseh’s grandson sought God from a young age. Josiah started out by destroying pagan shrines and idols as far as his power would reach. He continued by purifying the Temple and restoring it to use. Josiah led a religious revival in the land of Israel, one which extended beyond the area over which he ruled.