Lesson 233 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).
Cross References
I Three Types of Sinners in the World
1. The ungodly leave God out of their lives and plans, [PS:1:1]; [EPH:2:12].
2. The sinners openly break God's law, [PS:1:1]; [GEN:13:13].
3. The scornful ridicule godliness, [PS:1:1]; [PRO:22:10].
II The Happy Man
1. He shuns the course of sinners, [PS:1:1].
2. The Law of the Lord is his delight, [PS:1:2]; [PHL:4:8].
3. His success is contrasted with the sinners' destruction, [PS:1:3-5]; [JAM:1:25]; [MAT:3:12].
III The Man Who Makes Heaven His Home
1. He walks in the counsel of the Lord, [PS:15:1];[PS:15:2]; [1JHN:5:3].
2. He loves his neighbour and honours the godly, [PS:15:3];[PS:15:4]; [1PE:4:8].
3. His heart is purged from all covetousness, [PS:15:5]; [LUK:12:15].
4. His hands are clean and his heart is pure, [PS:24:1-10].
Notes
The Pursuit of Happiness
The word "blessed" in this Psalm means "happy." Therefore we find in these verses a rule for true happiness. The quest for happiness has taken man across the hot sands of the Sahara Desert and through the snow-covered mountain passes of Alaska. Some men have sought happiness in the gay throngs of our crowded cities, others in the seclusion of monasteries. Both learning and folly spring from the same desire within man -- the pursuit of happiness. But happiness is neither a matter of riches nor poverty, nor is it the difference between knowledge and ignorance. The first step toward happiness is forsaking the counsel of the ungodly, turning from the way of sinners, and starting to seek the Lord.
The Downward Course of Sin
Three classes of men are mentioned in the first verse of this Psalm -- ungodly, sinners, and scornful. Three positions are mentioned in connection with these classes -- walking, standing, and sitting. From this illustration comes the picture of man on his downward course. First he walks along with the ungodly -- a class of people who are not necessarily deep in outbroken sin, but simply without God. They might be the people he meets at his work who invite him to go fishing on Sunday when he should be in church. Next we find him standing in the way of sinners. Here the man stops his walking and loiters with those who commit outbroken sins. He feels a little more at home and soon finds himself taking on their ways until eventually he sits in the seat of the scornful, openly mocking all that is righteous and holy, and hating the teachings that the Bible sets forth. "Evil communications corrupt good manners" [1CO:15:33]).
The Basis of Happiness
The happy man is the one who shuns the appearance of evil and keeps himself from the counsel of the ungodly. "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away" [PRO:4:14];[PRO:4:15]). But happiness is more than merely avoiding the ways of sinful men. There is a positive side to the picture. "His delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." If one delights in the Law of the Lord, that means that he will be obedient to that Law. If he meditates in it day and night, that Law will become a part of him. Meditation in the Law of the Lord is not salvation; but a study of that Law reveals Christ and the requirements and blessings of the great plan of salvation. An admission of guilt with true repentance of sin will bring into operation the plan of salvation, which is the basis of a happy life.
What a contrast between those who have thus made peace with God and the ungodly who in their own way seek happiness in the world. The righteous, are like "a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season," but the ungodly "are like the chaff which the wind driveth away." The ungodly may seek to entrench themselves in this world; they may be insured against any eventuality by companies with great resources; but when the wind blows they are gone like the chaff. The righteous may have fewer ties in this world, but their roots are grounded in eternity. They will be changed in the twinkling of an eye, but they will shine as the stars for ever and ever.
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" [PRO:14:12]). Many a man has set up his life-plan -- has charted his course through life -- without God; but eternity will reveal the folly of his ways. "The LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Clean Hands and a Pure Heart
"Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?" [PS:24:3]). This question, which means, "Who is going to make Heaven his home?" is answered: "He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart...." When one is born again, the Spirit bears witness that he has become a child of God; and there is no question about it. His outward life is above reproach -- he has clean hands. His sins are forgiven and he is set free, but there remains in the heart the sinful nature with which he was born. This nature was inherited through the fall of Adam, and is sometimes called the Adamic nature. When one is born again that nature is subdued and brought under the regenerating power of God that has come into the heart; but that old Adamic nature is there and would assert itself were it not that the new birth holds it in subjection. At sanctification the Blood of Jesus Christ eradicates that inbred nature, and destroys it. This entire destruction of sin from the heart leaves one pure and holy. It is then that the rest, which can only be understood by those who have received it, comes into the heart.
Self-Denial
However, even after being sanctified and free from sin, there remains the self-life with which to battle. Paul the Apostle said, "I die daily." It was the self in him that was being put to death. Sometimes, instead of dying daily to self and to everything contrary to the will of God, great or small, people will, under pressure, lose the Word of God out of their heart. In such a backslidden state the old sinful nature will again assert itself. We are told to examine ourselves to see whether we be in the faith. The fifteenth Psalm is a good guide for self-examination.
Self-Examination
"He that... speaketh the truth in his heart." There are people whose countenance witnesses against them and reveals that they have not the truth in their heart. It means something to speak the truth in one's heart -- not wresting or twisting or changing it, nor trying to evade this or that truth, but meeting the situation with an open heart. The one who speaks the truth in his heart is open and free; there is nothing he cares to cover up.
"He that backbiteth not with his tongue,..." There is no backbiting, nor evil speaking; there is no criticizing, nor murmuring, nor faultfinding, in the heart of the one who is going to dwell in the house of the Lord or in His Holy Hill. We might better face that truth today than to miss the Rapture of the Church. Many people will try to lower someone in the estimation of another. That is not to be found in a true child of God. There is something in his heart that will do just the opposite. He may see and know that a wrong has been committed, but he is not whispering it about. If he cannot settle something between a brother and himself he will go to the ones in authority in the church, who are the proper ones to take care of it. Not only does a Christian refrain from talking about his neighbour, but he is also careful not to lend an ear to those who do. He does not take up or, in other words, receive a reproach against his neighbour. Many a person has let the truth be crowded out of his heart by listening to a gossiping tongue.
"He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not." There comes a time in every Christian's life when he has an opportunity to swear to his own hurt and change not. This means that he will not let down on his standards before the Lord in order to escape some suffering or privation that comes upon him. For instance, he may have done his best; he may have walked uprightly and done right; and yet suffer persecution. He might go to reasoning this out: "Perhaps I have carried this a little too far," and begin to let up on that account. Right there he is "changing." He that "sweareth to his own hurt" is not seeking to lay blame on another or get another into trouble. Even if he cannot understand, he would rather suffer than to cause another to suffer.
"He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent." A clear conscience is the softest pillow that one can lay his head upon. He that works righteousness cannot at the same time do evil. The Lord hears the cry of the oppressed and brings judgment against those who take advantage of the poor. "The way of the ungodly shall perish." The money obtained through bribes and usury will soon be left behind, and the ungodly shall perish in a lost eternity.
How different it is with the righteous! "He that doeth these things shall never be moved." He is steadfast in this life, swearing to his own hurt and changing not, and through eternity will be abiding in the Holy Hill -- the place God is preparing "for them that love him."
Questions
1. What is meant by clean hands?
2. What is meant by a pure heart? What experience brings a pure heart?
3. To what are the ungodly likened? The godly?
4. Give an example of swearing to your own hurt.
5. What is meant by speaking the truth in your heart?
6. Give two rules for happiness.
7. What is the Law of the Lord?
8. What term would you apply to "backbiting" and to "taking up a reproach"?