November 6, 2016 (Proverbs 16:25)

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov 16:25). This proverb contains parallel thoughts with that of last week where we noted that hearts are deceitful and the choices we make often seem innocent while in truth they actually lead to taking paths which are contrary to God’s will for our lives. Today’s proverb has exactly the same underlying premise, namely that what seems right in the natural is at times very different than the way we should be thinking. Holy scripture reminds us repeatedly that the ways of God are not what seem natural to us. It is essential that we pursue washing of our minds with the Word of God as that our minds are renewed and lives transformed into the likeness of Him who redeemed us. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Php 2:5). Our calling is quite simply to Christ-likeness and to fulfill the mission of advancing the kingdom of heaven upon earth, even though it cost us everything else which we hold dear. As believers saved by grace, we must work out our salvation to the end (Php 2:12), not by human effort but by God’s grace and the Spirit’s power. This demands that we abandon doing what seems right in our own eyes, instead allowing the Spirit of God to guide us into ways of truth which bring honor and glory to our Father in heaven and to His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.