Sunday, October 17, 1999 This Week's Lesson:
In this week's lesson, which came from Proverbs 13:13-17, we learned about the importance of regular Bible study and of seeking the mind of Christ. For the Christian, these are obvious and often taught truths. We should, first of all, love the Bible. The Bible is God's love message to humanity. We should cherish every word. We should try to learn from it and then do our best to live by its clear principles. Solomon wrote that a person would be destroyed if he or she despised the word. Word comes from the Hebrew word that means speech, word, speaking, saying, or utterance. By extension, it can apply to business, occupation, acts, matter, or manner. When we study God's Word and ingest Its teachings, then according to Proverbs 13:13, we shall be rewarded. To those who are wise, the law is a fountain of life. Without law, there is chaos. But with the law, there is peace, order, and harmony. For the Christian, the Bible is a primary source of information and guidance. It will keep us from the harmful paths of life, and through it, we can acquire a good, godly understanding.
Understanding comes from the Hebrew word that means prudence, good sense, or insight. We acquire a good, godly understanding when we put our life in God's hands. Psalms 111:10 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever." Psalms 119:104 says, "Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way." Psalms 119:130 says, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." In contrast to gaining godly knowledge and understanding, Solomon warned that the way of transgressors is hard. Those who refuse the Lord's instruction will have difficulty in life, and their ordeal will be constantly hard. Also, their end shall be doom and destruction. Proverbs 2:22 says, "But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it." Proverbs 11:3 says, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them." Therefore, we should strive to live right and stay on the straight and narrow pathway that brings honor and glory to the Lord. We should use our knowledge and understanding in ways that will make us faithful. As Christians, we should strive to live wisely for Christ, not live foolishly in opposition to Him. We should try to do those things that are right and not attempt to get away with behaviors that are not edifying.
A fool lives without godly knowledge and understanding and then boasts about his bad behavior. A fool quickly falls into mischief. According to Solomon, a faithful person, like a good ambassador in a foreign land, brings helpful news to others and is an honor to their office. When we faithfully study God's Word, we gain valuable insight and knowledge. Then, we can live the life that we should be living and also be a blessing to others. In the coming weeks, please reflect on these truths and try to be the person that God would have you be.
Tom of Spotswood"He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:12)
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
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