September 12, 2006 - Proverbs 13-15 and II Corinthians 5
We must always keep in mind that God's goal for everyone is to become like Jesus. Yes, we must first be saved from our sins and begin a relationship with Jesus. It is God's will that everyone come to know Christ. However, being saved is just the beginning. God saves us so we can become like Christ. When you judge it by that standard, how are you doing?
The book of Proverbs is filled with God's wisdom, so in order to be like Christ, we must allow the Spirit to build this wisdom into our lives. The truth is that if we do what we think is right, we end up in the way of death. (14:12) We must fear the Lord and His commands. (13:13). We must walk with other wise people. (13:20) We must not disdain the instruction of God, but receive it willingly. (15:32) This is a choice we all have to make each day. Will we live by my own intelligence and power or will we look to the Lord?
II Corinthians 5 is very pointed in saying this to us. It must be our aim to be pleasing to Christ in all we do. (v.9) We must remember that we are new creatures when we come to know Christ. (v.17) We are His ambassadors to introduce others to Him and to show them what it is like to be a Christian. (v20) That is our mission in life. (v.18) Therefore, this must be the priority of our lives. After all Jesus died for us, so the least we can do is to live for Him. (v.14-15) I pray that we all understand this important truth, because it is the basis of the Christian life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 16-18 and II Corinthians 6.
The book of Proverbs is filled with God's wisdom, so in order to be like Christ, we must allow the Spirit to build this wisdom into our lives. The truth is that if we do what we think is right, we end up in the way of death. (14:12) We must fear the Lord and His commands. (13:13). We must walk with other wise people. (13:20) We must not disdain the instruction of God, but receive it willingly. (15:32) This is a choice we all have to make each day. Will we live by my own intelligence and power or will we look to the Lord?
II Corinthians 5 is very pointed in saying this to us. It must be our aim to be pleasing to Christ in all we do. (v.9) We must remember that we are new creatures when we come to know Christ. (v.17) We are His ambassadors to introduce others to Him and to show them what it is like to be a Christian. (v20) That is our mission in life. (v.18) Therefore, this must be the priority of our lives. After all Jesus died for us, so the least we can do is to live for Him. (v.14-15) I pray that we all understand this important truth, because it is the basis of the Christian life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 16-18 and II Corinthians 6.