Romans 12:9, Cleave to That Which Is Good

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Romans 12:9 …cleave to that which is good.

The word “cleave” literally means “glue together”. It speaks of a life given to doing good.

It begins with a transformed mind through the meditation of God’s Word as the psalmist says in Psalm 1:2 “But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.“

Here in Psalm 1:2 is put forward a real condition, if the condition is fulfilled, then the results will surely follow. The literal translation from the Hebrew “For if in the law of the LORD is his delight or pleasure” then the result in Psalm 1:3 will come to pass, it a promise from God. If we delight in the law of the Lord and meditate upon it consistently and continually, the result is fruitfulness and prosperity of the soul, this is the promise given in verse 3 – “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

The best “cleaving” is in God’s Word. When we imbibe God’s Word in our hearts, God gives us spiritual strength to do good. Psalm 1:2 speaks in the positive, giving the affirmative marks of the godly man. Delighting in the law of God is so essential to godliness. What is godliness but the love of God? And what is love without delight? When we are in love with someone, we delight we see more and more of the person. Certainly, we are contrasting here the delight in the gold of this world versus a delight in God in His Word. The world verse the word, gold verse God, the perishable versus the eternal.

To delight is to have a high degree of pleasure or satisfaction of mind; to have joy. What is the motivation for loving the Bible? Let quote this statement you find at the preface of the Gideon Bible and also the Defined King James Bible to inspire you to the delight in God’s Word.

“Because the Bible contains the mind of God, the state of man, the way of salvation, the doom of sinners, and the happiness of believers. Its doctrines are holy, its precepts are binding, its histories are true, and its decisions are immutable. Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. It contains light to direct you, food to support you, and comfort to cheer you. It is the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Here is paradise is restored, heaven opened, and hell disclosed. The Lord Jesus Christ is its grand Object, our good its design, and the glory of God its end. Read it slowly, frequently and prayerfully. Let it fill your memory, rule your heart, and guide the feet. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure. It is given you in life, will be opened in the judgment, and remembered forever. It involves the highest responsibility, will reward the highest labor, and will condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.” (Author Unknown)

Amen.