Overlooked Aspect of Legalism

(Pro 7:14 KJV)  I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.

Today as I read I was touched by a whiff of legalism.  Legalism takes different forms.  All of them are dangerous.  We often hear about the person who thinks his own efforts at following the law will bring redemption.  This verse brings out another type of legalism, using the rules to excuse sin.

This type of legalism follows the false idea that if we simply avoid making certain mistakes then everything else is allowed.  In this case she did not forget to complete certain rituals.  She seemed to think that as long as she made certain “offerings” (2077/8002) that she had fulfilled what God expected.  Now she was free to rush off to her adultery. 

So?  God demands all of us.  Yes, there are rituals.  Yes, there are standards.  But remember that the purpose of the law was to make us aware of how far short we come.  Do all that stuff but realize that it does not excuse debauchery in other areas of life. 

(Lev 20:7 KJV)  Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

What Price Honesty?

(Pro 6:31 KJV)  But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.

Christians are to live by a higher, more demanding standard.  In the context of this verse allowance has been made for the desperate person who steals to stave off starvation.  It does not stop there.  The poor has a responsibility to pay back.  Restitution is required.

Notice that last part of this verse.  In order to make things right you are to get rid of even your “substance” (1952).  The meaning of this word is wealth.  Wait a minute.  You are so poor that you have to steal to survive but you have wealth?  The point here is that we all seem to think that certain things are necessary when they are really luxuries.  How often have you seen people who are getting government checks because they are poor and they have a smart phone?  How many have I-pods?  How many have HD TV?  I think you know the answer.

So?  If you are a follower of Jesus and seeking to live in righteousness you need to stop living off of others.  Earn your way.  Learn the difference between what you need, what you want and what you think you deserve.  Painful?  Yes.  Vital?  Even more so. 

An Encouraging Warning

(Pro 5:21 KJV)  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

This verse is meant as a warning.  God sees everything you do.  One time I took a phone away from a student and as I was standing with it in my hand I received about five text messages from other students in the class.  God has more eyes than the smart phone industry.  When we mess up, He knows because He sees.

This verse is also a word of encouragement.  God is not looking for ways to slap us down but is looking for ways to enable us to walk in righteousness.  When He sees what we see He is able to send the means of liberation because He also see what we do not see.  Consider the promise,

(1Co 10:13 KJV)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

So?  Rejoice that a God of love wants you to walk on the Highway of Holiness and will reach out to make that possible. 

Intend to Attend

(Pro 4:20 KJV)  My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

What does it mean to “attend” (give attention NASB) (7181) to God’s “words” (561)?  The root meaning of the word is to incline.  We have all done this.  We think we hear something.  We cock our head and turn our ear in the suspected direction.  We focus.  We have an innate understanding that our ears will pick a sound up best if they are tilted a certain way.

We should be doing the same thing to God’s wisdom.  It may start with an awareness that there is something to hear.  Too often we blow it off and get on with life.  When my wife hears a noise in the middle of the night I tell her to go back to sleep.  She insists that I listen.  Sometimes I am forced to get up and go through the house.  So far I have found nothing.  That may change.  I know that if there is something there I want to know about it.

So?  Is the Holy Spirit tickling your fancy?  Are you rolling over and going back to sleep or are you cocking your head to listen?  You won’t hear the music by turning the volume down.

The Honor of Stewards

(Pro 3:9 KJV)  Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Perhaps this is a good place to bring up the idea of stewardship.  One of the hidden truths of Christianity is that people who are faithful to God’s way of doing things tend to become more prosperous.  The theological background is that God promises to bless those who are faithful.  The dynamic that should be obvious to anyone with open eyes is that Biblical principles work.  Avoiding excess in food and drink not only saves money but keeps the mind clear so we make fewer stupid decisions.  Honesty develops trust.  Fidelity builds healthy families. 

Stewardship often gets bad press because people make it synonymous with tithing.  In my opinion, tithing is part of stewardship but not the whole story.  We are to be stewards, or managers, for the assets and blessing that God gives us.  We are to “honor” (3513) Him in that way.

So?  The trilogy of time, talent and treasure are still key.  God has loaned them to you.  Are you using them His way or yours? 

Apostasy and Hope

(Pro 2:19 KJV)  None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.

Apostasy.  It is a terrible thought.  The apostate is one who has turned away from a faith that was once embraced.  That is what this verse is talking about.  The scary part is the lack of “return” (7725).  This person is lost.

The hopeful part is that we are not looking at an isolated verse describing a one moment decision.  If you read back through this passage you find that this person has made a series of choices.  Each choice drove him further from wisdom. 

The warning is that you can come to a point where you cannot “take hold of" (reach NASB) (5381) the “paths” (734) of “life” (2425b).  Your choices and directions lead you in ways that do not connect with hope.

So?  If that concerns you it means one of two things.  First, you may be walking in faith and aware of the dangers.  Second, you are out of the faith and aware of the dangers.  One has assurance.  One still has a chance.  Where are you on the path today? 

Greed Not

(Pro 1:19 KJV)  So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.

A popular theme of liberal politicians looking for an excuse to play Robin Hood is the greed of the rich.  Greed is an issue that is condemned by the Bible but politicians often cloud the difference between the rewards of hard work and greed.  This verse gives us some insights.  If you compare the KJV and the NASB you see a different choice of expression.  In that lies the key.  The KJV chooses “greedy (1214) of gain (1215)”  while the NASB uses “gains by violence” (1214).  The number 1215 is the noun form of 1214 so the concept is not different.

Here greed is being defined as gaining by violence.  In other words you don’t work hard and take your chances in a complex world.  Instead you use coercion, force and deception to get your ends.  It makes a difference how you get your wealth.  It also makes a difference how you use your wealth but that is a topic for another verse.

So?  Examine you methods and attitudes as you earn a living and plan for the future.  Don’t automatically label people as greedy because they are successful.