THE WAY OF LIFE – PART TWO
Friday, October 07, 2005
There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before
him, but at the end of it is the way of death. Proverbs 16:25 AMP
A man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall abide in the
congregation of the spirits (of the dead). Proverbs 21:16 AMP
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as are the watercourses;
He turns it whichever way He wills. 2 Every way of a man is right in
his own eyes, but the Lord weighs and tries the hearts.
Proverbs 21:1-2 AMP
When God created man in His image, man was pure and whole. He was
completely obedient and submitted to God in everything. Man is a triune
(three-part) being – consisting of spirit, soul, and body. Man’s spirit
ruled his mind, which ruled his body, and his world was in perfect
harmony. When temptation came, and he chose to disobey, the harmony of
his world was shattered and sin, rebellion, confusion, and strife were
the result. The flame of the life of God that was in man’s heart was
now extinguished and darkness began to rule. Everything was subverted
and turned upside down. Now man’s body and his passions began to rule
and call the shots. Now his body dictated to his mind, which rebelled
against his spirit. Instead of the wisdom of God, man now walked in
worldly “wisdom,” which is completely dependant on his senses; on what
he can see, hear, and feel. That is why so many people make so many bad
choices, believing them to be good. They cannot see what God can see.
They cannot see into eternity. That is why we need God. He sees and
knows those things we cannot and do not see and know. That is why – if
we want to succeed and be blessed and enjoy eternal life - we need to
trust Him and obey Him by faith.
Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24 AMP
Not only does God see and know your future, not only does He have a
specific plan for your life, not only does He desire to use you, but
most of all, He wants to bless you! His thoughts and plans for you are
for your welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your
final outcome (Jeremiah 29:11). What He requires of you is that you
would completely trust Him - which requires faith on your part – faith
in Him, in His nature, His character, and His promises to you. It’s not
just about keeping rules and regulations - it’s about trust and
submission of the heart to Father God. That’s why faith in Him is so
important. You don’t have any idea where you should be going or how to
get there. You are utterly dependant on Him. Hebrews 11:6 NKJV says
that, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes
to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him.” God is pleased by your faith because faith
produces obedience and obedience opens the door for God to bless you as
He desires to do.
The foolishness of man subverts his way [ruins his affairs]; then his
heart is resentful and frets against the Lord. Proverbs 19:3 AMP
The devil does not want you to trust and obey God or to walk in His
way. He wants to destroy you through disobedience. First he tempts you
with rebellion and disobedience, and when you foolishly follow him and
fall flat on your face, he provokes you to blame God and get mad at
Him. Doesn’t this sound like some people you know? They are always
doing stupid stuff and then when it turns out badly they get mad at
God! You want to say to them, “Hey, if you want to find out who your
problem is – go look in the mirror!” This is what is known as
self-deception. Foolish people are people who are always resentful
toward God. They would wise up 100% if they were truthful with
themselves and realized that God was not their problem.
The way of the guilty is exceedingly crooked, but as for the pure, his
work is right and his conduct is straight. Proverbs 21:8 AMP
A wicked man puts on the bold, unfeeling face [of guilt], but as for
the upright, he considers, directs, and establishes his way [with the
confidence of integrity]. Proverbs 21:29 AMP
There are only two ways to go – the straight way or the crooked way.
God’s way is a straight, smooth road, lit by the light of His word. It
is not complicated – you just choose the right thing and you do the
right thing – and you walk straight. When you wander from God’s way,
there is no clear path to follow. You end up wandering this way and
that way, tripping over stones and rocks and tree roots, losing your
way in the dark. In the end you don’t know where you are and you don’t
know how to get back. If you ever hope to see the light of day, you
desperately need the Lord!
The highway of the upright turns aside from evil; he who guards his way preserves his life.
Proverbs 16:17 AMP
The upright see evil and go around it; they leave temptations alone;
they even avoid situations where they could be tempted. They control
their thought life and submit it to God and His word. They have set a
standard for their life and therefore they already have a plan for
avoiding the temptations that may present themselves in the future.
Because they have set a standard and guarded their way, they have
preserved their life. They have chosen to honor God and they will walk
eternally on the road of blessing and life.
Recent:
Righteous Now
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP
“Therefore if any man be in Christ…” What does it mean to be “in Christ”? Galatians 3:27 says, “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” You are baptized into Christ when you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” And Romans 10:13 says, “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The moment
Defeating Strife
These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 AMP
Faith Facts
Faith is persistent
Luke 11:9-10 AMP
So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.
John 16:24 AMP
Up to this time you have not asked a [single] thing in My Name [as presenting all that I AM]; but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Faith is single-minded
James 1:5-8 AMP
If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. 6 Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the