A Covenant!

To make a covenant means to solemnly (sincerely) agree to something that becomes binding on all parties involved. It is a drawing together in agreement to terms that will be followed. It is a commitment to be acknowledged and honored in a manner that encourages an expectation of the trust being upheld. Covenants should not be entered into lightly. When our spiritual life and proper relationship to God are involved, we should be willing to do whatever it takes to sustain our integrity before God and mankind. This was the manner in which Job appears to have approached his life. Recognizing all his ways were in view of God ( Job 31:4), Job acknowledged a fear of God ( Job 31:23) if his conduct was not in accordance with God’s Will. Therefore Job’s focus in living was toward dealing with others and conducting his own life in a manner that would be pleasing to God.

In view of Job’s serious approach to living in the presence of God, note a covenant he made.
“I HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH MY EYES; how then could I gaze at a virgin?” ( Job 31:1 ESV)

On what do we allow OUR EYES to rest? Though there are things we may not be able to keep from seeing, let us be mindful of what we choose to take a second look at or continue to focus on. Would we, like Job, not also do well to make a solemn covenant with OUR EYES so that we are not drawn toward or into that which is not appropriate according to godly living?

Writing to the church at Rome, Paul exhorted. . .
“(11) So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (12) Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. (13) DO NOT PRESENT YOUR MEMBERS TO SIN AS INSTRUMENTS FOR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.” ( Romans 6:11-13 ESV)

To what are we presenting the member of our body called THE EYE? This is the member of our body Jesus referred to as the “lamp of the body.” ( Matthew 6:22) The healthy eye fills the body with light, while the unhealthy eye fills the life with darkness. ( Matthew 6:22-23) Therefore we should be very concerned what it is we are drawing in through OUR EYES. Remember the sin in the garden began with a look. ( Genesis 3:6) The images we draw in through THE EYES last much longer than the existence of those things before us. As we strive to live with integrity before God, may our covenant with Him include the focus of OUR EYES.

Have a great day STRIVING TO RETAIN A RIGHTEOUS FOCUS!
Carl

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