Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways. (vs1-3)
We aren't half hearted about this, but we’re fully involved in Christ's gospel, doing His will (faith and love) from the heart, willingly and sincerely (vs1-2). He says, “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart”. We aren't people who say nice things about God, only to despise His commands, but we sincerely believe Christ died for us and rose again. We REALLY trust His blood to put away sins, and we actually entrust ourselves to Him for time and eternity, believing the reconciliation He's made and the power of His promises. We love sincerely, having received so much, and we glorify Him in our acts of faith. We've obtained mercy, so we're genuinely reconciled to men, doing them good. We’re imperfect and sinful, but our heart is in the gospel, rather than in hypocrisy, as pleasing men. Paul said, “For our exhortation did not come from error or uncleanness, nor was it in deceit. But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thess 2:3-4). And again, “ not with eyeservice, as men–pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph 6:6-7). Grace has made us whole, and while we mourn our sin, we really believe God and get strength to be fruitful.
Secondly, we diligently seek the Lord and make our calling and election sure, making our SPIRITUAL growth more important than anything (vs3-4). He says, “You have commanded us to keep Your precepts diligently”. We care for our souls as top priority.
Don’t be someone who just goes through the motions, like an athlete who plays on game day, but hasn't prepared, and doesn't try to his potential. Paul says, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become rejected” (1 Cor 9:27). You and I give every attention and detail to making sure of our own salvation. We put effort into our walk with God, carefully maintaining and restoring peace, marking our steps, examining our motives, and confessing our need to the throne of God. Peter said, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things (abound more and more) you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Pet 1:10-11). We don't think He's too distant, but we GET His grace.
Finally, we pray because we need His power and we need Him to bring the fruit (vs5-8)! He says, “ Oh, that my ways were directed to keep Your statutes! Then I would not be ashamed, when I look into all Your commandments. I will praise You with uprightness of heart, when I learn Your righteous judgments. I will keep Your statutes; Oh, do not forsake me utterly!” Salvation is God’s work, and we get what we need from Him, knowing that we do nothing ourselves. Jesus said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:4-6).
We beg, plead, and get help from God. He is sought, and He hears His people in our need for obedience and fruitfulness. Jesus continued, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:7-8). We aren't proud, but in Jesus' name - by who He is to the Father and His mediation for us - we approach the throne boldly for help in our time of need (Heb 4:16)! Nothing’s more impossible than serving God, but those who do it are praying people who know their own frame is dust, and they rely on Him. “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103:13-14). He's saved us, He will save us, and for all things, we look to Him, doing nothing in the power of self.
Faith leans on God, which is evidenced by prayer, which is more than, "I'll do it". It is, "Lord Jesus save me", and He does it, and then we bear fruit.
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