Isaiah 33:15-17

A righteous walk (Isaiah 33:16)

• Speaks with sincerity

  • James 1:1-8 – The tongue is very difficult to control.

  • James 3:2

  • James 1:26 – An uncontrolled tongue makes your religion vain.

• Rejects unjust gain

  • Romans 12:17

  • II Corinthians 8:21

• Hands hold no bribe

  • Matthew 26:15

  • I Samuel 8:3

• Stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed

  • II Timothy 4:3

  • Psalms 15:3

• Shuts his eyes from looking upon evil

  • II Samuel 12

  • I Corinthians 11:1

  • II Peter 2:14

• Luke 1:6 – Keep God’s commandments to walk with God.

An exalted walk (Isaiah 33:16 a)

• Ephesians 4:1

• Romans 3:23

• Acts 17:30

• Colossians 1:3

A safe walk (Isaiah 33:16 b)

• I Corinthians 10:4

• Matthew 7:21, 24

• Psalms 18:2

A well-supplied walk (Isaiah 33:16 c)

• I John 1:7

• This walk brings peace (Philippians 4:7) and joy (I Peter 1:8).

• Walking with God provides all spiritual blessings.

A walk of faith and hope (Isaiah 33:17)

• Hebrews 2:9

• I John 3:2

Those who so walk have the best in this life and a peaceful death before living with God in eternity.

Introduction

• What does it mean to follow and obey God’s will?

• John 8:42, 44, 47

• What does God require of us?

• How can we be faithful to God in everyday life?

Values taught in the Bible are often opposite of worldly values.

Christian values

• Ephesians 4:25-32

• II Timothy 2:22-26

Ten values or principles for living a Christian life

• Worship only God – Mark 12:29-30; Matthew 6:24

  • Anything that takes us away from our devotion to God becomes an idol or false god.

  • Colossians 3:5

• Respect all people – Mark 12:31; Luke 6:27-28, 31-33; Matthew 7:12

  • Love – “agape” love: respect, affection, benevolence, good-will, and concern for the welfare of others.

• Be humble – I Corinthians 10:23-24; Philippians 2:2-4, 5-8

  • Every soul is as valuable to God as our own.

• Be honest – Proverbs 12:22; 24:28; 20:10

  • Honesty and integrity are held as very important values throughout the Bible.

• Live a moral life – Mark 7:20-22; I Corinthians 6:9-10

  • Immorality comes in many forms.

• Be generous – Proverbs 28:27; Matthew 25:41-46; Acts 20:35; I John 3:17; James 2:14-17; II Corinthians 9:7; I Timothy 6:17-19

  • The Bible tells us to share generously with those in need.

• Don’t be a hypocrite – Matthew 23:27-28; 15:8; 7:1-5; Romans 2:21-24

  • If we claim to be Christians, but we do not let Jesus’ teachings guide our lives, we are hypocrites.

• Don’t be self-righteous – Romans 3:23; I John 1:8; Proverbs 26:12; Matthew 7:1-5; Galatians 6:1-3

  • No one is perfect; we are all sinners in one way or another.

• Don’t hold a grudge – Proverbs 15:11; 19:11; Romans 12:17-21; Ephesians 4:31-32

  • Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, or seeking revenge and retaliation in the life of a Christian.

• Forgive others – Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:21-22; Colossians 3:12-14

  • In the same way that God forgives us, we must be merciful and forgive other people.

Psalm 22

Hebrews 6:18 – Lying is contrary to God’s nature, thus He cannot lie.

Forsaking someone who is doing His will is also against God’s nature.

Psalm 9:10; John 8:29; 16:32

Psalm 22 is metaphorical and hyperbolic. Much of it does not make sense if you take it literally. The Jews knew this psalm and understood it. Jesus called it to their attention on the cross. He was not telling the Jews that He had been forsaken. He quoted Psalms 22:1 to show that He had not been forsaken by God just like David had not been forsaken.

God had not forsaken him.

• Psalms 22:1, 11, 19, 20, 21, 24 – If these are taken literally, they cannot be harmonized.

Compare the prophecy and the fulfillment:

• Psalm 22:7; Matthew 27:39

• Psalm 22:8; Matthew 27:43

• Psalm 22:11; John 16:32

• Psalm 22:15; Job 19:28

• Psalm 22:17; Luke 23:35

• Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35

• Psalm 22:16; John 19:37

Ephesians 4:32 – Christians are to be forgiving people.

God is willing to forgive.

• II Peter 3:9

• I John 1:9 – Because God is willing to forgive, we can count on His mercy.

God is aggressive to forgive.

• Ezekiel 3:18-19

• James 5:19-20

God forgives absolutely.

• Psalms 103:11-12

God forgives permanently.

• Jeremiah 31:34; Hebrews 8:12

• Forgiven sins are never brought up again!

God forgives conditionally.

• God’s promised salvation is conditional.

• Acts 26:20; Matthew 3:6 – Repentance is always required for forgiveness.

• John 8:32, 21

• Luke 17:3 – “if he repent”

• To ignore evil conduct and call it forgiveness is not how God forgave.

Forgiveness does not cancel the earthly consequences of sin.