Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Proverbs 8:13 says, The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.  We can now see that wisdom points us to Christ.  The first step in gaining the wisdom of Christ is to not be filled with evil pride and arrogance.  Anyone who promotes themself as being superior to other people is not following God's teachings.  Verse fourteen states, Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.  When we accept the council of God, we gain sound wisdom and understanding.  The wisdom of the world, when it denies God, can never be sound wisdom.   Verse fifteen adds, By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.  I believe that this means that without God allowing them to that no one could be an earthly ruler.  Though some might disagree, I don't believe that this means that God has placed all earthly rulers in their position.  God simply allows them to be in power for a time.  Verse sixteen continues, By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.  As just discussed, I believe this means by God allowing them to that the princes and nobles rule, and not that God placed them in power.  Verse seventeen declares, I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.  This does not mean that God's love is limited to a particular group of people, but that God's love only benefits us when we accept Christ as our Savior and Lord.  We are better off if we do this early in life instead of delaying our acceptance of salvation.  Verse eighteen states, Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.  I do not believe this is referring to earthly riches and honor, which are but temporary, but the riches and honor of God, which are indeed durable.  They will last forever.  Verse nineteen declares, My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. This is just another way of saying that the things of God are worth more than any earthly riches.  Verse twenty states,  I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:  God leads us in the way of righteousness in the world.  We simply have to be willing to follow Him.  Verse twenty-one adds, That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.  When we love and follow God, we will inherit a things of substance, which begins with everlasting life with the heavenly Father through our faith in Christ.  Anything other than that is just a bonus and should never be the reason we follow Christ.

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