The Self-Help Bible
For the LORD is a sun and a shield, the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. Psalm 84:11 ESV
Walk Uprightly – The Bible is the world’s only guaranteed self-help book. There are lots of competitors, of course. Just browse any bookstore online or in person and you will find that “Self-Help” section is crammed with advice. But none can guarantee success. Do this; do that, long enough and then you are 99 and 44/100ths percent sure to succeed. Maybe. But God’s promises never fail. Never. The only problem is that they also come with requirements. Far too often we want a god who guarantees success without obligations or conditions. It just doesn’t work that way. If you want the blessings of the Lord, you must roll up your sleeves and do the work He requires.
God never withholds any good thing from those who (and here’s the tricky part) walk uprightly. So what does that mean? Be ethical? Live a morally clean life? Show devotion to Him? The Hebrew is simple: holekim betamim. “To walk” is a metaphor for a way of life. It is the journey you take, the road you follow, the ordering of your steps. It’s how you conduct yourself along the way, each and every little thing you do or say. “Uprightly” is a derivative of the root tamam, “to be complete, perfect, full of integrity.” It is the sacrifice without blemish, the words without anything false or left out, the commandments fulfilled. If you want to walk uprightly, you follow the ways of God’s instructions, to the letter. Paraphrasing life doesn’t cut it. It’s not about what seems right to you. It’s about what God says is right for Him. It’s the “no shortcut” life; the life without compromise or self-justification.
Sounds hard, doesn’t it? Like losing the twenty pounds, changing your spending habits, quitting cigarettes, turning off the office when you get home. Of course it’s hard! Did you think the promise of all good things was going to be easy? Did you plan on always being a dependent toddler? Walk, fall down, get up, walk, fall down, get up until you can walk without falling down.
Just think about the reward. The self-help Bible says that if you do these things, nothing good will be kept from you! What is that worth? A few bruises from falling? A few nights of agonizing over your sins? Handling a bit of rejection or criticism? What did you want, a spiritual lollipop?
I would rather spend a day attempting to walk uprightly in the hopes that God will not withhold any good thing than a lifetime of compromise in order not to suffer any growth pains. I’ll admit that part of my motivation is to get the good things from God, but apparently He is anxious to provide them if I just get going on my part. But then why would I ever have expected anything less? The self-help Bible operates on two fundamental principles: 1) God is worth following and 2) it’s in my best interest to do just that.
Topical Index: self-help, walk, halak, upright, tamam, Psalm 84:11
“The Art of Living”!!! I’d like to get your “Art of Dying” leaves framed & hang next to this framed post & “LIVE my Art” as YAH’s personal creature!!! Deut 32:4
If you want a signed, 20X24 print of “Art of Dying,” let me know. It will be about $80 with shipping.
“I would rather spend a day attempting to walk uprightly in the hopes that God will not withhold any good thing than a lifetime of compromise in order not to suffer any growth pains.”
Mmmmmmmm. Good stuff.
I read this line several times, too. Today I want to learn to walk on legs that will become more steady.
Thanks Skip for a TW on the theme of “rewards”
I notice that it is an important Biblical concept. The word comes up over 100 times in the Tanakh and in the NT. The Father knows that human nature likes rewards. Of course, retailers and other businesses also know that rewards are often a great motivator.
Here are a few Scriptures that for me at least further illustrate the point Skip in making today. They are really mostly self explanatory.
“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.” (Gen 15:1)
“The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put forth my hand against the Lord’s anointed.” (1Sam.26:23)
“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me”. (2 Sam. 22:21)
“if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you
and reward you with a rightful habitation.” (Job 8:6)
“The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands he recompensed me.” (Psalm 18:20)
“Moreover by them is thy servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:11)
“He who despises the word brings destruction on himself,
but he who respects the commandment will be rewarded.” (Prov:13:13)
“Misfortune pursues sinners,
but prosperity rewards the righteous.” (Prov.13:21)
Behold, the Lord God comes with might,
and his arm rules for him;
behold, his reward is with him,
and his recompense before him.” (Is. 40:10) (Is.62:10)
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive good or evil, according to what he has done in the body.” (2 Cor.5:10)
Comment: There is much confusion about the “the judgment seat of Christ”. It is sometimes called the “Bema” – the judgment of rewards. The confusion about the “Bema” the results from the “go to heaven or go to hell immediately upon death” nonsense that permeates much of the theology found in orthodox Christianity!
I am of the opinion that it is important for first fruits to understand this judgment of rewards that we find Paul referring to in second Corinthians.
I wrote a study paper on the topic and if anyone would like to further study the “Bema”, shoot me an email (sjohnwalsh@gmail.com) and I will send it to you.
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” (James 1:12) KJV
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” (Rev.22.12)KJV
It is interesting that Revelation 22:12 is a third witness, almost verbatim to what we notice is found in Isaiah above. This tells us that this rewards theme is important to the Father.
Thanks, John. If you send me your work, I will post it for the community.