THE ROLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD - PART 1

FRIDAY 14 JUNE 2024

The Psalmist, King David, had a great and powerful treasure, known as the good shepherd, and for this reason, he was armed with the light of soul restoration and also, finished well in the paths of righteousness. More below!

Reference: Psalm 23:3 English Standard Version (ESV)

"He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

The Psalmist stated that the true Shepherd restores his soul and leads him in paths of righteousness, for His (God name's) sake. To expound the above versified reference, I have decided to split the statement into two segments, for in-depth clarification.

1. He restores my soul.

2. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.

What did the Psalmist have in mind by saying, "He restores my soul"?

According to dictionary, to restore is bring back or re-establish (a previous right, practice, or situation). It is also an act or process of repairing, renewing, or restoring to good condition. So the aim or desired purpose is to bring back into existence, to bring back to a previous condition, to make good, to recover, or to reestablish.

How does this apply to the born again Christian? A born again Christian is a new creation, born of the Spirit. The Bible says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17 WEB). However the "new creation" does not need further restoration from a state of sin to newness of life, because He has no past. His spirit has been recreated, but remember that he has a soul, made up of mind, will and emotion, which wield his intrinsic or indispensable attributes that determine his character, and therefore, this soul needs restoration, because it is not yet saved from worldly pattern of behaviour or lifestyle.

To that effect, James' epistolary precept reads, "So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls" (James 1:21 NLT). What does this mean? It means that your soul requires continual process of restoration, to bring it into the realm of godly expressions. Zero wonder the Psalmist used the present simple tense "he restores..." Pauline epistolary expression numbered as Romans 12:2, calls it, "the renewing of the mind." It literally reads, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will" (NIV).

What is the right and accurate material for renewing the mind of a born again Christian? God's law contained in the Word of God. Romans 8:7 (ESV) reads, "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot." Beloved, now that you are Christ Jesus, the character or attitude of your mind is of paramount importance. If the attitude of your mind is not in sync with the mind of Christ, you have not fully yielded or submitted to God's law. The mind of Christ is the excellent standard for the spiritual life of a born again Christian, who has become a living soul and has been endowed with immortality (eternal life) in Christ.

Therefore, to strip off your Christian character, the old self and ungodly mentality, with its evil practices - your mind has to be continually renewed in the true knowledge of Christ, which is in line with Pauline epistolary exhortation in the book of Colossians. The Scripture reminds us that we have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self" (Colossians 3:10 AMP). The true knowledge of God is designed to confirm and strengthen you in the faith, and keep you in the paths of righteousness, wherein you have an abundant experience of godly manifestations. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29; 1 Peter 1:14; Ephesians 1:4; 2 Peter 3:16.

Guided Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you because you bring great moments of refreshment to my soul. I thank you because I live in the centre of your light, and that is Christ, where spiritual and material blessings overflow. I thank you because you have positioned me in Christ to be transformed into His image by renewing my mind with the Word on a frequent basis, in Jesus' Name, Amen.