The more we learn of the Scriptures the more aware we become of the Person and way of the Lord. The Scriptures teach us concerning what is morally acceptable to God. The moral law is the same in both the Old and New Testaments. We learn that God requires love for Himself and love for our neighbor, fair dealing, truth-telling, sincerity, kindness, mercy, humility, concern for the poor, an attitude of understanding and forgiveness.

We learn that God will provide for our needs and desires and we are to pray and seek His face continually. We are counseled to meditate in His Word day and night. We are taught to allow His peace to rule in our hearts. The Scriptures are a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. They direct our thoughts, words, and actions into the way that is pleasing to the Lord.

When we find we do not have the strength, wisdom or opportunity to do what we believe to be God's will concerning ourselves and those for whom we are responsible, we are to seek help from the Lord Jesus. The Lord, in answer to our sincere prayer, will send us strength, wisdom, and opportunity. God always helps us perform His will when we seek His assistance with our whole heart.

Many Christian people are walking in death today because they are ignorant of the teaching of the Scriptures concerning how we are to live in the world. We are to study the Scriptures, and with the help of the Holy Spirit begin to keep the Word of the Lord.

As we start keeping the Word of the Lord by the wisdom and strength that come to us from the Lord Jesus we discover that the authority and power of the new covenant are conquering our animal nature. First we keep the Word; then the Word begins to keep us.

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)

There is a progression in the above verse. If we will "keep" the words of Jesus, the Father will "love" us and He and Jesus will make Their "abode" with us. The admonitions of the Scriptures, which at first were so difficult to observe, become increasingly natural to practice as the Father and the Son abide in us.

We have also a more sure word of prophecy [the Scriptures]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (II Peter 1:19)

The "more sure word of prophecy" is referring to the Scriptures. If we take heed to the Scriptures, doing what they say by the wisdom and strength imparted to us by the Holy Spirit, the light of Christ will arise in our heart so we will begin to be changed in our inner man into the image of Christ. We are assured of inner help: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

To be continued.