September 9, 2006 - Proverbs 6-7 and II Corinthians 2
There are some things God loves, and there are some things God hates. Then, there are some things that make God sad, and they break His heart. Part of being wise is being able to understand the things attitudes and actions that fit into these categories and to be willing to avoid what God hates and what breaks His heart, while doing what He loves. I pray that we will all consider this as we read the book of Proverbs.
I believe that God loves for us to live like the ants. They are hard workers, and even though they do not have an overseer, they do the right things to provide food and to save up for the lean times. (6:6-11) On the other hand, God hates laziness. He knows that when we are lazy we miss the opportunities He gives us to do the right things. It causes us to come to poverty. However, it is something over which we all have a choice. We can choose to be like the ant or to be lazy. Let's make the right choice and see the blessings of God.
God hates the list of things in Proverbs 6:16-19. I believe we would all do well to meditate on this list and to make sure we are not involved in these attitudes or actions. When the Bible is bold enough to declare God's hatred for such things, we are wise to avoid them at all costs.
It breaks God's heart to see anyone commit the sin of sexual immorality or adultery. He knows the destruction it will bring into that person's life. (7:23) We live in a day when Satan has led many people to give in to the temporary pleasures of sexual sin, and they are reaping the long term consequences of that sin in their lives and in their families. I believe God's heart is broken by the broken lives and broken relationships caused by these sins, whether it is pornography, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, adultery, or other sexual sins. I believe God hates those who intentionally draw people into these sins as we read about in chapter 7. He wants all of them to realize their sin and to turn to Him in repentance.
In II Corinthians 2 we read about Paul's sorrow over the situation with the man who had lived with his step-mother. We read how Paul encouraged the church to forgive him after he repented. (v.7) He urged them all to live in the triumph that comes through Jesus. (v.14) We are a sweet smelling fragrance to God and to our fellow believers when we are actively doing what God loves. To those who don't believe we are a contrast, so they can see the difference and be saved. Therefore, we must live in such a way that pleases our Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 8-9 and II Corinthians 3.
I believe that God loves for us to live like the ants. They are hard workers, and even though they do not have an overseer, they do the right things to provide food and to save up for the lean times. (6:6-11) On the other hand, God hates laziness. He knows that when we are lazy we miss the opportunities He gives us to do the right things. It causes us to come to poverty. However, it is something over which we all have a choice. We can choose to be like the ant or to be lazy. Let's make the right choice and see the blessings of God.
God hates the list of things in Proverbs 6:16-19. I believe we would all do well to meditate on this list and to make sure we are not involved in these attitudes or actions. When the Bible is bold enough to declare God's hatred for such things, we are wise to avoid them at all costs.
It breaks God's heart to see anyone commit the sin of sexual immorality or adultery. He knows the destruction it will bring into that person's life. (7:23) We live in a day when Satan has led many people to give in to the temporary pleasures of sexual sin, and they are reaping the long term consequences of that sin in their lives and in their families. I believe God's heart is broken by the broken lives and broken relationships caused by these sins, whether it is pornography, pre-marital sex, homosexuality, adultery, or other sexual sins. I believe God hates those who intentionally draw people into these sins as we read about in chapter 7. He wants all of them to realize their sin and to turn to Him in repentance.
In II Corinthians 2 we read about Paul's sorrow over the situation with the man who had lived with his step-mother. We read how Paul encouraged the church to forgive him after he repented. (v.7) He urged them all to live in the triumph that comes through Jesus. (v.14) We are a sweet smelling fragrance to God and to our fellow believers when we are actively doing what God loves. To those who don't believe we are a contrast, so they can see the difference and be saved. Therefore, we must live in such a way that pleases our Lord Jesus.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 8-9 and II Corinthians 3.