Staying off the exit ramps-part 3

       Yesterday's post considered three aspects of loving one another that  will help the Christian musician to stay off the exit ramps. A fourth consideration is that the musician must keep God's Word. It is one thing to believe His word, but it is entirely another to keep His word.  The NIV renders verse 10 – “You have kept my command to endure patiently.”  The RSV states – “You have kept my word of patient endurance.”  The NAS translated it: “You have kept the word of my perseverance.”  Graduates, the import here is that you clamp down like an English bull dog and never let go. Patiently obey God’s Word in all situations of life.  Always remember that you are a “brother lover” (and a “sister lover”). In every occasion conduct yourself like a Christian.

       To express the meaning of this scripture in Kentucky Greek: When you get out there in Smirgley Junction where there doesn’t seem to be any help or hope, hang on and endure. When you get hurt, endure; hang on to God’s big hand; flee to the means of grace and endure patiently.  If you are truly a “brother-lover”, you will get hurt.  Although you cannot be so spiritual enough to not get hurt, you can run in under God’s big feathers to get out of the storm and receive the healing touch of the one who is true and just.  When the storm comes, run like a scared rabbit to the one whom, in Revelation 3:10, declares by the verity of His word, “I also will keep thee from temptation.

       Fifth, God is urging you to look, behold and see, “I have placed before you an opened door.”  Ralph Earl has stated that this scripture refers literally to “a door which has been opened and remains open.”  Jesus Christ the Word, the one that is holy, the one that is true, the one who holds the key of the kingdom, the one who has opened a door of opportunity to live a life of ministry to others is now pointing to your opened door.  “I beseech you therefore, Christian musicians, by the mercies of the God who opened this door, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  “And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God.”