Live 4 The LORD

​READ

18 For John said to Herod•, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19  And Herodi-as had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 20  for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe•.  (Mark 6:18–20, RSV2CE)

25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king, and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27 And immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard and gave orders to bring his head•. He went and beheaded him in the prison (Mark 6:25–27, RSV2CE)

REFLECT 

God knows best:

John the Baptist spoke for God and His righteous laws. God’s laws heal the soul. Psalm 19:7

Herod was rebuked by John the Baptist for unlawful marriage. 

Herodias the wife wanted him killed because of his beliefs and rebukes. 

People get very angry when told they are doing wrong. They do not like it when someone rebukes their behavior. God is love and truth. If He says it is sin, it is harmful to the soul. God knows best, He made the soul. We do not understand or comprehend the consequences of our sin until after they are already present. It’s best to believe He is love and truth and follow the laws of love that heal our souls. 

Choosing Self or God:

Herod knew John was righteous and holy and even feared him. He kept him safe. 

Kept him safe from others, but not himself. When Herod’s will was crossed with God’s will Herod would not kill his flesh.  We have a choice to follow God or self. The Cross is the intersection of decision, his or my will. 

Herod knew John was righteous and holy but MURDERED him because he feared man more than God. He did not want to break his oath to a girl in front of his cohort. Pride. He would rather save face on earth for people who are mortal than keep safe a holy and righteous man and possibly go to heaven. 

RESOLUTION 

Just because I know truth does not mean I live it and commit to it. Salvation is not just head knowledge. It’s a firm commitment to live it in union with my Savior. Even demons know truth and even more truth than man. But they do not want to live it. Many so called Christians are even doing the same. Faith without works of love in obedience is not living faith. 

I must, if I want to be truly saved, give over my life to God, believing Him to be love and truth, obeying Him because He knows best, killing my sinful flesh by walking in Grace, all the way to heaven in union with my Savior. This is true salvation. 

I must love God more than all things in the world. If I look at others like Herod, I too can rationalize away the right thing to do. I must keep my eyes on God and His ways so as not to be deceived or distracted. 

The Cross of wills is the intersection of decision, His or my will. That is why I am to pick it up and make the decision. Only one way to Heaven. His Will be done in me. 

REST

Jesus, I see how easy it is to rationalize things, excuses abound. Please help me see when the cross is present and to know the right way to choose. You came to save sinners. I do not have to be shamed or embarrassed by my sin, if I admit it, and bring it to you, you can help me heal and choose the right course of action. Please give me the grace to believe you and your truth and to choose the right way even if it kills my flesh. And if or when I fail please forgive me and help me get up again to fight another day. You are the only way to love and happiness. Thank you for offering to save me. I love you. Amen.