September 6, 2020 THE WAY THAT SEEMS RIGHT
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”
Isaiah 30:21 “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”
Apart from Christ dwelling in the heart of a man, man does not have a chance; he is totally separated from God and lost for now and all eternity. The one who does not know God is convinced in his heart that he is going the right way, but his way leads to death-spiritual death and possibly physical death. Even as believers, the possibility of us walking in a way that seems right, when in reality we are walking in a way that is wrong and in a way that leads to death, should serve as wake-up call. The good news for us is that we do not have to live in fear or doubt about whether or not we are walking in the way that leads to life. In God’s grace, He has given us the Holy Spirit to direct our steps, to enable us and equip us to live in harmony with the plans and purposes God has for us. In the world in which we live is constantly inviting us to live and make decisions according to its ways and customs. It always goes back to our hearts; is it our heart to know God and learn of Him, to obey His every command, or is it our motivation to do the things that please self. As is often the case, we can go about trying to do what we think pleases God and yet miss the main point, or go about it the wrong way. If we believe that we can ‘earn’ the blessings of God by dutifully obeying His word, we are depending on self works and our good works fall short of what God has for us. It’s a paradox so it seems; we are called to obey God’s word, but if obey His word with the wrong motive, we are in error. God desires to bless His people and He has made every provision for us to know Him and know His ways. Everything that God is and everything He does flows out of His love; we are the recipients and the objects of His unconditional love. When we come to experience His love in the deepest part of our being and when we learn of our new identity in Him, when we realize what great price He paid to redeem us, it becomes natural for us to love Him and walk in His ways. In the course of life, we can be assured that the Holy Spirit will lead us in the way that leads to life; it is our part to be alert and sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and be quick to obey. Know that the ways God always leads to life.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Galatians 5:25 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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