CHOICES by Raphael ben Levi
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which one is the good way?’ Take it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not take it.’” (Jer. 6:16)
Yeshua promises those who are ‘pure in heart’ that they will “see” God. (Matt.5:8) The Greek word employed here is “katharos” that has a variety of meanings. It can include a person who is ceremonially and ritually pure through external observances. Alternatively, can apply to someone where their purity is established through life and conduct in mind and heart, something that is essentially internal.
Someone who is pure in the biblical sense, turns away from anything that would cause them to compromise their relationship with God. Their thoughts, motives and desires are focused and transparent. Interesting that the apostle Paul considered himself to be the ‘chief of sinners’ because the closer we grow to God the more we allow His searchlight to expose even the smallest things which can mar our relationship with Him. This keeps us humble yet alert to the deceptions and distractions of Satan’s playground of delights which beckon enticingly to those blinded by its allurements.
Our words and actions begin with a thought that germinates and grows according to the measure it is nurtured. May we make our declaration today to embrace godliness as we take every thought captive and bring it into conformity with the Messiah (2Cor.10:5) untarnished by the cobwebs and appendages of sin or unbelief.
We gain nothing by passively gazing intently into the eyes of good intentions. The Israelites were commanded to seek the ancient paths of righteousness, yet for the most part, failed to do so for this very reason. There can be no neutrality in the Kingdom of God.
Are you standing at life’s crossroads today? May you choose to showcase the riches of God’s unfathomable ways stamped with the indelible marks of His fingerprints upon your life!
