LORD, make us forthright!

Forthright: “going straight to the point”; “proceeding in a straight course”; archaic meaning: “a straight course or path” (definitions from the “Dictionary” app.)

I really like the archaic meaning of the word “forthright”: “a straight course or path”. Today I was quite forthright with the lady who came to my door to tell me about “another Jesus” and a “different gospel” (2 Cor 11:4). The Spirit came upon me and I was kind, but quite forthright about the forthright!

Maybe we like to beat around the bush too much. Perhaps we need to be more forthright. Did Jesus Christ ever beat around the bush? Yes, He spoke in parables but He was also very forthright! Because it is the TRUTH that sets the oppressed free! (John 8:32)

I’m going to pray for the Church to be forthright in all these implications:

THE POINT IS JESUS CHRIST!

1. (adj.) “going straight to the point” – The point is Jesus Christ! We must be FORTHRIGHT about WHO Jesus Christ is! He is Immanuel, “God with us”, Redeemer, Alpha & Omega, the Everlasting Father, the Mighty God! (Isa 9:6) If you’re preaching He is just an enlightened person or a great philosopher or a mere angel, or a man who became a god, you’re preaching “another Jesus”! You don’t know the real Jesus Christ! The Scriptures are plain that Jesus Christ is God come in the flesh. (John 1:14) Any other concept is from the spirit of antichrist (1 John 2:22-23).

For further Scriptures on the Deity of Christ:

What’s in a Name?

The Revelation of Jesus Christ

Revelation of Christ    (The Revelation names of the LORD in song)

PROCEEDING IN A STRAIGHT COURSE

2. (adj.) “proceeding in a straight course”. May the Church proceed in a straight course, keeping their focus on Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law** that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)

“Let your eyes look directly forward, and you gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27)

A STRAIGHT COURSE OR PATH

3. (noun; archaic) “a straight course or path”. God has given us the FORTHRIGHT. He has given us:

• the WAY to redemption (Acts 4:11-12)

• the WAY to live (Isa 30:21; Jer 7:23)

• the WAY to abundant LIFE (Matthew 7:14)

• the WAY to eternal LIFE (John 14:6)

There is ONLY ONE WAY!

Jesus Christ is the WAY, the FORTHRIGHT!

**NOTE ON “LAWS”

The Old Testament contained both “immutable laws” and a lot of “regulations”. These regulations regarded dietary restrictions and religious observations BUT have been specifically changed, superseded, and/or fulfilled in the New Testament.

Artwork by Carolyn Anne Venable (c) 2012