Baby Bear Strikes Again

(Proverbs 21:21 KJV)  He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Most of us have a feel for “righteousness” (6666) but “loyalty” (2617a) [chesed] lives under a smokescreen.  It has many translations with a wide range of meaning.  Just at this point you see how the KJV uses “mercy” and the NASB uses “loyalty.”  The only translation I have that gets bolder is the International Standard Bible which says “gracious love.”  That is closest to the way I think it should be translated:  lovingkindness. 

We are to pursue holy living.  We are to demonstrate lovingkindness.  Only the first leads to rigid legalism.  Only the second leads to insipid emotionalism.  Together, mixed and modified by the Holy Spirit we get Baby Bear Spirituality:  Just right.

So?  The middle road of holiness is the hardest to walk because I requires totality.

(Matthew 22:37 KJV)  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Most of us like to leave one of those out.  Beware of the trap.