Miquéias 4

Miquéias 4

Boice - The Names of God are windows through which His character is seen. And I would add that when we "see" Him as He really is, it is only then that we can walk as He walks. The apostles repeatedly emphasize this axiomatic principle… The one who says (present tense = continually makes the claim that) he abides in Him (In Christ) ought (opheilo in the present tense) himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. (1John 2:6) Comment: Notice that our walk is a test of our talk! That is why John uses the "forceful" verb "ought," which in effect says "This is not an option, but an obligation! If someone says they know Christ, and yet they fail to walk as He walked, they have cause to question whether they truly, genuinely abide in Him (and Him in them). This is not a doctrine to be argued, but a doctrine to be personally pondered, for the fate of one's soul hangs in the balance. Beloved, do not be deceived! As an aside, of course no genuine believer walks perfectly in step with Jesus, and there are times (even seasons) when we are not walking at all like Jesus (we have unconfessed sins or we are overtly "backsliding"). It is in times like this that even genuine believers tend to lose their assurance of salvation, and yet they do not lose their salvation, just their sense of security. The way out of this "miry clay pit" is always the same - confess and repent and move on following your Lord. Remember the Christian life is not so much about perfection, but direction. The question that only we can answer is "Does the fruit, the deeds, the works, etc of my life demonstrate that my heart is headed in a heavenward direction or the converse?" See related in depth study on 2Corinthians 13:5. For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, (1Pet 2:21-note) Matthew Henry speaks to the importance of the Name of the LORD… (1) The better God is known the more He is trusted. Those who know Him to be a God of infinite wisdom will trust Him further than they can see Him (Job 35:14); those who know Him to be a God of almighty power will trust Him when creature-confidences fail and they have nothing else to trust to (2Chr 20:12); and those who know Him to be a God of infinite grace and goodness will trust Him though he slay them, (Job 13:15). Those who know Him to be a God of inviolable truth and faithfulness will rejoice in his word of promise, and rest upon that, though the performance be deferred and intermediate providences seem to contradict it. Those who know Him to be the Father of spirits, and an everlasting Father, will trust Him with their souls as their main care and trust in Him at all times, even to the end. (2.) The more God is trusted the more He is sought unto. If we trust God we shall seek Him by faithful and fervent prayer, and by a constant care to approve ourselves to Him in the whole course of our conversations. (3.) God never did, nor ever will, disown or desert any that duly seek to Him and trust in Him. Though He afflict them, He will not leave them comfortless; though He seem to forsake them for a while, yet He will gather them with everlasting mercies. (Ps 9:10-note) We never trust a man till we know him. The mother of unbelief is ignorance of God, his faithfulness, mercy, and power. They that know thee, will trust in thee. This confirmed Paul, Abraham, Sarah, in the faith. "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2Ti 1:12-note). "He is faithful that promised," and "able also to perform." (Heb 10:23-note He 11:11-note, Ro 4:21-note) Patterson - The cosmic reversal of the Day of the LORD will finally see a rebellious and unfaithful Israel cured of idolatry and fully restored to a relationship with Yahweh characterized by covenant obedience and loyalty (cf. Jer 31:31–34; Ezek 36:25–27-note).