God’s Works Are Perfect

The word perfect means being entirely without fault or defect; complete. We can see how God’s works are rightly described as perfect. Here are several verses from the Bible:

He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he. (Deut 32:4 NIV)

As for God, his way is upright; the word of God is pure; he is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. (Ps 18:30 ISV)

And they will say about you, “The Lord always does right! God is our mighty rock.” (Ps 92:15 CEV)

These passages from the Scriptures remind us of how truly awesome and good our God is! His ways are just, and He is faithful and upright.

God’s actions are perfect, and His character traits exhibit justice and mercy, as well as an ability to forgive repeatedly. When the Bible mentions “works,” it is discussing such things as actions, tasks, activities, and results.

Not only that, but God’s word is PURE—which means free from anything different, inferior or contaminating, free from foreign or inappropriate elements.

When we make the Lord our safe haven, He will shield us from evil and all harm.

Several Bible verses remind us that God cannot lie. (Num 23:19; 1 Sam 15:29; Heb 6:18) So in any circumstance or challenge of our lives, we can always rely upon the truth that ‘The Lord always does right!” Be encouraged, strengthened, and emboldened in your faith in Jesus Christ, dear friend.

The Lord is Faithful & Upright

The Bible tells us in many different verses that God is not only faithful, but that He is upright. What do these terms means to us?

Faithful means the fact or quality of being true to one’s word or commitments, as to what one has pledged to do, professes to believe, etc. Titus 1:2 reminds us that God cannot lie! This tells us that we may trust whatever He says.

Upright means morally erect; honest; just; conforming to high, moral standards.

Now let’s look at these Scriptures:

For the word of the Lord is upright; and all his works are done in faithfulness. ⁵He loves righteousness and justice; the world is filled with the gracious love of the Lord. (Ps 33:4-5 ISV)

According to this passage, God’s Word is upright, honest, and just. All of God’s works are done in faithfulness, according to what He has promised. Glory to God!

Our Lord, you are true to your promises, and your word is like silver heated seven times in a fiery furnace. (Ps 12:6 CEV)

This Bible verse reminds us that God’s promises are true (genuine, valid, sincere), and that they have been tried and tested—just like fine silver.

The Lord is your mighty defender, perfect and just in all his ways; your God is faithful and true; he does what is right and fair. (Deu 32:4 GNT)

How reassuring to read this Bible passage above! God is declared to be our mighty Defender who is perfect and just (good, fair, honest, honorable) in all of His ways.

For the Lord is righteous, He loves righteousness; the upright will see His face. (Ps 11:7 NASB)

According to the Scripture shown above, all who are upright (honest, respectable, righteous) will see God’s face. Hallelujah!

The earth, O Lord, is full of thy steadfast love; teach me thy statutes! (Ps 119:64 RSV)

Lastly, we see the Lord’s love described as steadfast which is just another word for faithful, reliable and trustworthy.

As you can see, based upon what we have just studied, God is indeed faithful and upright! He is worthy to be praised!

Seek Good Not Evil

The Bible exhorts us to seek good and not evil on a daily basis. We’re encouraged to try to live at peace with others. Let’s have a look at some of those verses:

Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? ¹³Then don’t say cruel things and don’t tell lies. ¹⁴Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace. ¹⁵If you obey the Lord, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. (Ps 34:12-15 CEV)

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, ¹⁷learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. (Isa 1:16-17 ESV)

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. (Amos 5:14 NIV)

No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic 6:8 NLT)

Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Mt 6:33 CEB)

There is a promise to us that if we seek good and not evil, and be at peace with others, we will enjoy a long life. Not only that, but the Lord says that He will be with us. Another promise is that the Lord will watch over us and answer our prayers. Wow! Those are wonderful promises that God is giving us and notice that these are very desirable blessings.

We are also exhorted to be humble. In other words, we should treat others with the respect that they deserve since all human beings have been made in the image of God.

Desire to see God’s kingdom and righteousness established, and when we do, every other blessing that we could ever desire will be given to us. So today’s lesson is: Live an upright and holy life, and reap the blessings that Jesus Christ purchased for everyone who would believe in Him. Glory to God!

If We Do Good Works, We’ll Be Praised

For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. (Rom 13:3-4)

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, ¹⁴or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. (1 Pet 2:13-14)

God has promised us, according to the Scriptures, that when we do good works on earth, we’ll be honored and celebrated. This is God’s reward and His blessing upon all who are obedient to His Word and His will.

It is clear that doing good works is the will of God for His people. Here are several Bible verses about good works:

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Mt 5:16 ESV)
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. (Jas 2:26 ESV)
That the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Tim 3:17 ESV)

What are “good works” according to the Bible? Here is another perspective:

Ephesians 2:10 would encourage you to learn to see your whole life as an interconnected series of good works offered to God. This means that your good works can include that which you do at work, in the classroom, on the football field, in your neighborhood, and in your community associations. If you’re a boss, part of your good works involve the way you manage your employees. If you’re a parent, your good works include making dinner for your children as well as praying with them as you tuck them into bed. The more we grow in our faith, the more we see ourselves as God’s masterpieces, the more we will indeed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, by his strength, under his authority, and for his purposes. (Source: https://www.theologyofwork.org/the-high-calling/daily-reflection/what-are-good-works-god-has-prepared-us)

The Bible also tells us these things about good works:

If someone is hungry or inadequately clothed, believers should feed them and give them clothing. (Jas 2:14-17)
Whatever we do, we should work enthusiastically and with all of our might, because the Lord Himself will reward us. (Col 3:23-24)
We must do wholesome, upright, virtuous deeds and share whatever we have with others. (Heb 13:16)
Don’t allow ourselves to get tired of doing good. (Gal 6:9)
All that we do should be done in love. (1 Cor 16:14)
Believers should encourage and inspire each other to lovingly perform good works. (Heb 10:24)

Think deeply today about what we’ve studied, and about the many forms of good works. There are so many unique ways in which you may demonstrate the love and mercy of God to the world through your good works. Be blessed in Jesus’ name!

Inherit the Earth

For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. (Ps 37:9)

He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth. (Ps 25:13)

The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in it forever. (Ps 37:29)

For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it . . . (Pro 2:21)

These passages of the Bible focus upon the idea that the righteous have been given a promise to “inherit the earth.” What does that mean for believers?

Here are some facts to begin this meditation:

God is the owner of this earth (Ps 24:1).
Those who obey Christ become children of God (Gal 3:27; Heb 5:9), and “joint-heirs” with the Lord (Rom 8:17).
The Father supplies all of our needs (Phil 4:19); we therefore enjoy this earth and its blessings more than all others.
Mainly, however, our inheritance is spiritual (Ac 20:32); we are heirs in the kingdom of Christ (Eph 5:5), and citizenship in that kingdom is available now on this earth (Col 1:13).
Finally, we also look for an inheritance that is reserved for us in heaven (1 Pet 1:4), because we are aware that the earth will be destroyed when Christ returns (2 Pet 3:10).

The verses of Scripture at the beginning of this article all describe a blessing appointed to the righteous in the coming age.

All who have been made righteous through Jesus Christ shall one day have power over all things, and until then will always receive provision of their needs through Jesus Christ. How blessed we are!

Strive for Peace & Holiness

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. (Heb 12:14 ESV)

. . . let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. (1 Pet 3:11 NKJV)

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God. (Mt 5:8-9)

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. (1 Tim 6:11)

STRIVE means to struggle, do your utmost, and to make every effort. So the Bible is instructing us to pull out all the stops to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives so that we will see the Lord.

We want to turn away from evil, and live moral, virtuous and upright lives. A certain path towards good is to look for peace and to take every opportunity to promote and to practice peace. Jesus said that peacemakers would be called sons of God. (Mt 5:9)

The Holy Spirit leads us to flee evil, vice and iniquity. The Holy Spirit will inspire us to chase after and to exercise righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. The Lord also gives us His empowering grace in order to live each day victoriously and with joy.

The Bible reminds us in several passages that the Holy Spirit is our teacher. (Lk 12:12; Joh 14:26; 1 Cor 2:13) We need to allow Him to teach us and to lead us in the paths where He wants us to walk. Submit to the Lord’s wisdom and guidance joyfully.

The New Self

In Christ, we have been given a “new self.” (Eph 4:24) We have been born again. (Joh 3:3; 1 Pet 1:23) We must cooperate with the Lord and put on the new man. In other words, we need to make the effort to live through our new man by the power of the Holy Spirit within us.

So get rid of your old self, which made you live as you used to—the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires. ²³Your hearts and minds must be made completely new, ²⁴and you must put on the new self, which is created in God’s likeness and reveals itself in the true life that is upright and holy. (Eph 4:22-24 GNT)

The Bible tells us to “put on” a number of different things. We are told to PUT ON:

The armor of light (Rom 13:12)
The Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 13:14)
Incorruption; immortality (1 Cor 15:53-54)
Christ (Gal 3:27)
The new man (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10)
The whole armor of God (Eph 6:11)
The breastplate of righteousness (Eph 6:14)
Tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering (Col 3:12)
Love—the bond of perfection (Col 3:14)
The breastplate of faith and love (1 Thes 5:8)

We are being taught, through all of these Bible verses, how to live our born-again lives. The Holy Spirit is tutoring us on the “normal Christian life” so that we may understand our responsibilities and be able to lay hold of our blessings and our inheritance.

Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Cor 6:19)

If we will rely upon God, trust His Word, and live obediently, we will be living the “new man life” which is upright and holy.

Beauty

“Beauty will save the world.” ~ Fyodor Dostoevsky

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. (Ps 50:2)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” (Isa 52:7)

What is Zion and why is it important to Christians?

Jerusalem and Zion are one and the same city. Zion was the place of God’s special presence among His people, and the place where they turned for help and deliverance. Jerusalem has been the holiest city in Judaism and the ancestral and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people since the 10th century BCE (before Common Era). During classical antiquity, Jerusalem was considered the center of the world, where God resided.

What does all of this have to do with our topic of beauty? Because God promises to shine forth out of Zion, which is called the perfection of beauty!

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful. (Ps 33:1)

The Word of God reminds us that praise is beautiful—not only in the sight of God but in the sight of men, as well. If I happen to find a television program that is broadcasting a praise and worship service, I find it so beautiful to see that I’m moved to tears.

. . . rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. (1 Pet 3:4, emphasis added)

In this verse from first Peter, the Word of God tells us that a gentle and quiet spirit is indestructibly beautiful! It is also very treasured by our God. So, we see that God considers salvation to be a beautiful thing, along with our praises to Him.

It is this inner quality of beauty that God commends and which the entire world unerringly recognizes! We will achieve this level of beauty as we obey God and seek to follow Him. He is the only One who transforms lives because He is the glory and the lifter of our heads! (Ps 3:3) Because His Spirit lives within each one of us, His beauty will shine forth through us.

This is why Isaiah 52:7 (at top of this article) calls the feet of those who spread the Gospel “beautiful feet”! We all may confidently pursue this beauty that shines forth from our inner man.

My Defense is of God

In the Bible, the Lord is shown again and again to be our defense in times of trouble or difficulties. Defense means protection, security, cover, or shield. It can also mean justification or vindication. Assuredly, Jesus Christ is our justification!

My defense is of God, Who saves the upright in heart. (Ps 7:10)

I will wait for You, O You his Strength; for God is my defense. (Ps 59:9)

He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Ps 62:2)

But the Lord has been my defense, and my God the rock of my refuge. (Ps 94:22)

The Lord is our protection; and this is something that we all need to recognize and to trust in, since we live in an increasingly hostile world—one that is growing even more antagonistic to the message of the gospel. Let us remember to confess, along with the Psalmist, “My defense is of God.”

It is essential for us to remain in a strong and vital relationship with the Lord. The Word of God feeds us and increases our faith. It reminds us who we are and of the One we serve. Don’t allow yourself to become complacent, or to wander away from daily Bible reading and contemplation.

Continue to worship with other like-minded believers on a regular basis because we’re encouraged to have fellowship with our brethren. (Heb 10:25) As we fellowship with other believers, they will support us and encourage us, spurring us on to good works! Glory to God!

Blameless in Jesus

Whoever walks blamelessly will be saved. (Proverbs 28:18a NKJV)

For the upright will dwell in the land, and the blameless will remain in it . . . (Proverbs 2:21 NKJV)

It’s impossible for a human being to live blamelessly without the grace of God operating in their life. When we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we established a relationship with God wherein we were given access to His grace for every need that we may have. (Ephesians 1:7; 2:5; 2:7; 4:7)

In Jesus, our Savior and Lord, we DO walk blamelessly because HE lived a perfect, sinless life on our behalf! He became sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in Christ. (Romans 8:10; 2 Cor. 5:21) Glory Hallelujah!

Jesus fulfilled the law and gave Himself as the propitiation for our sins, so that WE could receive ALL of the blessings that were due to Him. Jesus shares all of the blessings of His righteous, sinless life with each and every believer. Once we understand these truths, it is easy to rejoice in the gifts that Jesus has so freely given to us!

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