September 13, 2006 - Proverbs 16-18 and II Corinthians 6
When we read the book of Proverbs as fast as we are reading it this year, it is easy to see all of the themes that are repeated over and over in the book. I believe that is part of how God inspired Solomon to write it. It might take reading something several times before it hits us as important or before it sinks in. Therefore, I urge all of us to pick up on those common themes and to begin to meditate on them.
Think about some of these truths today. Pride leads to destruction. How many times have we seen that happen? If we can control our anger we have really accomplished a great deal, but if we can't allow God to control our anger, we are in big trouble. It is so important to stop strife quickly, because once it spreads you can't contain it. We must not get right and wrong backwards like the world does. Being happy is good for our health. We don't like to categorize people, but we need to take note of foolish people and be careful how we treat them. They can be very hurtful to us and others. It is very hard to win back an offended brother, so we must make sure we live in unity. I did not give the references on these because I want all of us to seek out these themes and to think about them.
II Corinthians 6 is a very personal passage in which Paul opens his heart to the believers in Corinth. He had been transparent with them, and he wants them to be transparent with him. (v.11,13) He wanted them to see that his life was not easy, but he was seeking to do God's will for their benefit. He was not trying to restrict them, but to set them free. He knew they would be hindered by breaking God's laws and living against His wisdom, so he shared the hard truths with them in love. They were to be different from the unbelievers, not joining with them. They were to witness to them, not to compromise with them. These same things are very true today. We need to work together as believers, until we all come in unity to be like Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 19-21 and II Corinthians 7.
Think about some of these truths today. Pride leads to destruction. How many times have we seen that happen? If we can control our anger we have really accomplished a great deal, but if we can't allow God to control our anger, we are in big trouble. It is so important to stop strife quickly, because once it spreads you can't contain it. We must not get right and wrong backwards like the world does. Being happy is good for our health. We don't like to categorize people, but we need to take note of foolish people and be careful how we treat them. They can be very hurtful to us and others. It is very hard to win back an offended brother, so we must make sure we live in unity. I did not give the references on these because I want all of us to seek out these themes and to think about them.
II Corinthians 6 is a very personal passage in which Paul opens his heart to the believers in Corinth. He had been transparent with them, and he wants them to be transparent with him. (v.11,13) He wanted them to see that his life was not easy, but he was seeking to do God's will for their benefit. He was not trying to restrict them, but to set them free. He knew they would be hindered by breaking God's laws and living against His wisdom, so he shared the hard truths with them in love. They were to be different from the unbelievers, not joining with them. They were to witness to them, not to compromise with them. These same things are very true today. We need to work together as believers, until we all come in unity to be like Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 19-21 and II Corinthians 7.