April 21, 2023 -- Proverbs 21:16 & 21 -- Pursuing righteousness and lovingkindness

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

One who wanders from the way of good sense
    will rest in the assembly of the dead.

Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

Proverbs 21:16 & 21 ESV

Did you notice the sharp contrast between the kinds of people described in these two proverbs? One is wandering. He is aimless. He is not submitted to the way of the LORD, nor does he consider himself a wicked man. He is flitting like a butterfly from one senseless act to another drinking in the poison of waywardness as if it were nectar.

The other man is pursuing righteousness and kindness. That word kindness is a reference to the covenant lovingkindness of the Living God. He, who has been captivated by the goodness of God, will dedicate himself to the LORD of Glory. He has every opportunity to flit here and there and be as senseless as the wanderer. He does not. Why? Because the grace of Jesus Christ has touched him. He has life everlasting flowing through his veins which is fueled by the presence of the Holy Spirit. When he pursues worthless things the Spirit lights up the Word of God so that his heart and mind are convicted by his wandering and he is drawn back to righteousness.

The man or woman caught in the grip of God’s grace have been declared righteous by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. They are justified so that their sins no longer count against them. Such men and women, however, are now by the Spirit’s power drawn into the process of being made holy. The Spirit restrains their willful sin. The Spirit continually shows them their need to be disciplined in their loving obedience so that they do not give the Devil an opening in their ranks. The Spirit takes the Word of God and shows them their need to confess their sins, to turn from them, and the walk with God. Those held by the saving power of the Father are learning to hate their sin more and more. They forsake such because they are soldiers serving Jesus, the Captain of Salvation.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You, Father, for the grace of Jesus which You have decreed from before the foundation of the world to be the sole reason Your love reached us and declared us to be righteous. Spirit of the Living God guard us and fill us with a hunger for the Word so that we will hate sin and ever more fully delight in the pursuit of His righteousness and the Father's lovingkindness lavished on us in Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/SbCtc0obNTs Fountainview Academy “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”

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