Most Bible students are aware of the “one another” commandments of the New Testament. For example, “Love on another.” An Injunction that occurs over a dozen times in the King James Bible.
But this morning I want to discuss the things we are to do to “ourselves,” as taught us in God’s Word.
Abraham told Lot, because of inner strife between them … “Separate thyself.” (Genesis 13:9)
In Genesis 16:9 the angel told Hagar, regarding her stern mistress Sarah … “Submit thyself.”
Pharaoh to Moses, issuing a threat really … “Take heed to thyself.”
In Exodus 34:2 God tells Moses to climb Mount Sinai and “PRESENT THYSELF,” our Clause for today, “there to Me in the top of the mount.”
Negatively, Leviticus 18:20 commands, do NOT “defile thyself” by sinning in a specific way!
Even concerning the hygienic laws of the Bible, the Jews being ultra clean people … “Wash thyself.” Ruth 3:3, among several other References.
I really like 2 Samuel 5:24, God speaking to David … “When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt BESTIR THYSELF: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.” Onward to victory! In a way here … wake up, rekindle the fires! Be attentive! Be obedient!
Even in Prayer to God … “With the merciful Thou wilt SHOW THYSELF merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt SHOW THYSELF upright.” Psalm 18:25
Psalm 37:1 … “Fret not thyself” … because of evil doers! In other words, do not worry, or here be not angry and furious. (“Charah” in Hebrew.)
Then to the reason for this Lesson … “DELIGHT THYSELF” in the Lord! (“Enjoy” Him with all your heart!)
Oh dear Lord, we pray … do not “Hide Thyself” in our time of need! (One of the Psalmist’s prayers.)
Romans 2:21 certainly presents an interesting example. “Teach thyself!”(Verbatim … “Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?”)
“Behave thyself,” 1 Timothy 3:15!
1 Timothy 4:7, Paul now writing … “Exercise thyself” … unto godliness. It takes effort to live right!
“Give thyself” wholly to the Word of God, 1 Timothy 4:15.
1 Timothy 5:22 … “KEEP THYSELF pure!”
From bad company … “Withdraw thyself!” 1 Timothy 6:5
And the well known 2 Timothy 2:15 … “Study TO SHOW THYSELF approved unto God”
Also “show thyself” as a pattern of good works … Titus 2:7.
A good enough list to prove that the Christian life, although initiated by Grace … “For by Grace are ye saved” … continues to develop as we control “ourselves” in obedience to the One Who died to redeem us!
Praise HIS name!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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