Do Christ-followers look different from others in this world? In reflecting on the history of Israel, we know that God called them as His chosen people, not only to be in a unique relationship with Him as their God, but to stand uniquely different from the surrounding nations. Israelites were known for circumcision of their boys, keeping the Sabbath, eating particular food, celebrating particular feast days, and following God’s Law.
As Solomon shares with his son the ways of wisdom and following God, there are going to be some natural differences in the manner he would live. Our verses today reveal some of the traits of the person who loves God and trusts Him with all his heart.
He finds no wisdom in himself
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. (Proverbs 3:7-8 ESV, emphasis added)
Acknowledgment and belief in the God of the Universe bring perspective on who we are as part of His creation. Can my wisdom compare with that of God’s? Nope. So, there is no reason to try to show off by being a wise-guy. It never ends well.
Knowing that God is the source of all wisdom, we can trust Him to provide what we need to walk in His ways. That wisdom is not going to lead toward evil, so if we are faced with a choice we know is not in compliance with His Word, we can turn away in confidence. Walking humbly and in reverent fear of God revives our mind, soul, and body, because He’s blessing us on the path of righteousness instead of watching us lose our way in foolishness.
He honors God with all he has
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (Proverbs 3:9-10, emphasis added)
A person who acknowledges Christ as his Lord and Savior honors the Father with everything he owns, because he knows it’s all from God in the first place. We give our tithe in the church, while not neglecting to honor Him with the other ninety percent. How we spend our money and live off of our earnings can either honor God or honor the world. Am I a generous giver? Do I help those who are in need? Is my home open to others?
While the world seeks to make as much as possible and live beyond their means, the one who honors God receives with thanksgiving, gives with a generous spirit, and leaves the increase and blessing to the Lord.
He accepts the Lord’s discipline as necessary for growth
My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (Proverbs 3:11-12, emphasis added)
A person training for a sport knows the rigors of the disciplined life. It’s difficult to hear the coach say for the fifth time, “No, that was not it, try again.” As much as it might hurt, the athlete returns to his mark and presses forward, knowing he’ll be better for submitting; it gets him that much closer to the goal of winning the race.
Living the Christ-centered life is not for the faint of heart. We cannot do it on our own, and thankfully, the Lord has given us the Holy Spirit to spur us on toward the goal of Christ-likeness. The Lord is not a taskmaster, beating servants; no, He is a loving Father, guiding His sons to a higher glory.
The writer of Hebrews understood these verses. After quoting them, he writes:
It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. (Hebrews 12:7-11)
He disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness! What a wonderful thing to remember when we struggle to pick ourselves up after failure. May we turn from evil and all that hinders His Spirit from having His way in our lives. Live by God’s wisdom, honor Him with all you have, and yield to any discipline He chooses for our benefit. This is not the way the world lives, but of those who acknowledge God and Him alone.
Grace and Peace
If you missed the last Friday Focus post, click HERE, or start this Walking in Wisdom series from the beginning.
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