September 14, 2006 - Proverbs 19-21 and II Corinthians 7
There are many things in our world today that lead us to sin, but I believe we may be overlooking the main one. Look at Proverbs 19:2b. The Bible simply says that we sin because we hurry. Now this could mean that to hurry is a sin, or most likely, it means that when we hurry we end up sinning, because we miss the right way. However, either way, we need to see that a hurried lifestyle causes us to sin. I have often told people that the Bible never tells us that Jesus hurried. Yes, He was a busy person, but there is a difference. We can be busy without allowing our hearts to hurry or our feet to hurry. Once we get in a hurry, we forget the important things, and we miss what God would have us to do. Allow God to speak to you about that today.
The rest of these chapters in Proverbs are filled with great truths, and they are easy to understand if you read them and digest them. However, there is something rather unusual, too. There are at least two questions. There are not too many questions in Proverbs. I think the Lord wants us to ponder these two things. Many people talk about their own goodness, but who can find a faithful person? (20:6) Is it rare to find a truly faithful person, and if so, where do you find that person? Then, the question is presented that a man's steps are of the Lord, so how can he understand his own way? How can we make sure we are following God's path for our lives? Those are surely thoughtful questions for us to consider. I am sure we will not consider them, if we are in a hurry.
II Corinthians 7 is very profound, too. The first verse sums it all up. We are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, while perfecting holiness in the fear of God. What a statement of truth! Is there anything else more important after we are saved? I don't think so. That is why godly sorrow and repentance are so important. (v9-10) We have to confess and repent to be cleansed of a sin, and only then, can we become mature in holiness. Holiness is both being clean from sin and being separated for God's use in His service. We can't be holy without both.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 22-24 and II Corinthians 8.
The rest of these chapters in Proverbs are filled with great truths, and they are easy to understand if you read them and digest them. However, there is something rather unusual, too. There are at least two questions. There are not too many questions in Proverbs. I think the Lord wants us to ponder these two things. Many people talk about their own goodness, but who can find a faithful person? (20:6) Is it rare to find a truly faithful person, and if so, where do you find that person? Then, the question is presented that a man's steps are of the Lord, so how can he understand his own way? How can we make sure we are following God's path for our lives? Those are surely thoughtful questions for us to consider. I am sure we will not consider them, if we are in a hurry.
II Corinthians 7 is very profound, too. The first verse sums it all up. We are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and the spirit, while perfecting holiness in the fear of God. What a statement of truth! Is there anything else more important after we are saved? I don't think so. That is why godly sorrow and repentance are so important. (v9-10) We have to confess and repent to be cleansed of a sin, and only then, can we become mature in holiness. Holiness is both being clean from sin and being separated for God's use in His service. We can't be holy without both.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 22-24 and II Corinthians 8.