If Amos 5:24 is your favorite Bible verse and you do not think that is appropriate for what it is that you are doing, then this raises a couple of questions.
- But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream. (Amos 5:24 - King James Version)
- But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever flowing stream. (Amos 5:24 - Revised Standard Version)
I will assume that you are using the Revised Standard Version’s idea of “justice” rather than the KJV’s “judgment”, even though justice is implied when a judge pronounces a verdict. Although, justice clearly implies judgment that is not corrupt or partial. The word “judgment” does not quite make the distinction between faulty judgment and trustworthy judgment that “justice” connotes.
What is wrong with justice and righteousness? What is wrong with the training course that justice and righteousness is inappropriate? Are you being true to yourself in doing this training, if you feel that justice and righteousness is inappropriate? Why is this your favorite Bible verse in the first place?
Myself, I find it difficult to single out any one verse. There are just so many truths within the Scriptures, where does one begin? The first verse I memorized after becoming a Christian, I did because it suddenly, inexplicably, became magnified (by about 400%) and seemed raised as I read it.
- For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ( Galatians 5:1)
Although, I suppose, I do have a fondness for what Lord Jesus said to the wise and understanding of this world, as recorded in the book of Matthew.
- At that time Jesus declared, “I thank thee, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to babes; yea, Father, for such was thy gracious will. All things have been delivered to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:25-30)
Verses 28–30 are particularly sweet for those who labor because they are heavy laden and are in need of a teacher to show them how to find rest so that knowledge comes easy and they are not lorded over by unjust tyrants.
Then I truly delight in what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount regarding the need to eradicate the log in our own eye, before attempting to remove the speck from someone else’s eye.
- You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5)
In recalling these, I am being true to myself, because these texts actually reflect how Lord Jesus Christ has communicated to me, through the Holy Spirit, the way in which I ought to walk. In large measure, being free to learn as I am taught by the Spirit of God is what agrees with me, rather than via methods of indoctrination, which predominately rely upon intellectual demonstrations of recall and analytical consideration that are not in accord with actual experience.
Experiential knowledge may seem subjective, but analytical illumination through the glory of God has to be better than objective criticism. Since when are we truly objective, anyhow, so that there is no partiality nor subjectivity involved in our reflections or interpretations of matters, as we express what we think we have learned. True understanding transcends (Proverbs 18:2) human intellectualism. When all said and done, only when everything is brought to the light can it be fully made known.
- But when anything is exposed by the light it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. (Ephesians 5:13)
- Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:4-8)
- Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practice steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I delight, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23-24)
People scoff at the goodness of God as expressed through the pages of the Bible, yet they wonder where justice is to be found. If only they understood the righteousness of God, then the answer would not be blowing in the wind.
The Lord has called us all to discover for ourselves the beauty of His character and that in his presence there are pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). These have to be experienced. No wonder Lord Jesus said that the people needed to come to Him so that they might possess life (John 5:39-40).
Authenticity is being true to one’s own experience and understanding one’s own relationships within our surrounding environs. The environment in which we find ourselves is not physical, but rather like the blue sky and solid clouds, what appears to exist, does exist, and yet exists not.
The Scripture states that in God, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). If we allow God to live and move and have His being within us, we will find ourselves being true to ourselves and therein lies the key to the secrets of life.
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