Feb 15 2022

The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.

King Solomon, who wrote most of the Book of Proverbs, has been known throughout history for the extraordinary wisdom God bestowed upon him. Proverbs is packed with Solomon's wise and godly words. Words we can live by.

Proverbs 12:26 is one of the life-application verses. Although at first glance it seems to tell us that as believers, we should consider ourselves better than others, that is not what it means.

When the scripture says, "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour" it means that we, as followers of Jesus, should care about our neighbor's soul. We should live and speak in a way that guides others toward a relationship with God.

In sharp contrast, the second part of the verse says that those who follow the wicked can be led astray. As Christians, we should never choose to deceive or lead others down the wrong path. Our actions can be a tool that the Holy Spirit uses to draw others to Him.

Those who are righteous should live a righteous life that encourages their neighbors. Wisdom holds that those who are wicked will continue to lead others in a life that is in opposition to godliness.

What an opportunity we have to share the Gospel of Christ! When we spread God's love, we are fulfilling the purpose that God has given us as believers.

Dear Lord, help me to be a good neighbor to those around me. I know you care about each person and can use me to lead them to you. Forgive me for the times when I haven't been conscious of my influence on others. Thank you for entrusting me with your Gospel. Help me understand the urgency of sharing your love with others. In Jesus' name, amen.

Feb 14 2022

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).:

We need mercy, although it may not be something we often think about. We're aware that we need forgiveness and grace, but why do we need mercy?

Maybe we can justify a criminal's need for mercy, but clearly, we haven't done anything as horrible as criminals have. Right? They commit crimes and deserve to be punished for what they've done, but we haven't done anything to merit punishment. Right?

Wrong.

Every sin we've ever committed deserves punishment. But fortunately for us, God's great mercy means that we don't have to suffer the eternal consequences. If we were to view our sin in the light of God's holiness, we would be keenly aware of how unworthy we are. But in the midst of our sinfulness, God reached down to us and granted us mercy.

This afternoon's verse says that "even when we were dead in our sins" we received grace through Christ. When we see others at their lowest point, do we extend that same type of grace to them?

Even when we demonstrate mercy to others, we are incapable of taking the next step that Paul mentions in Ephesians 2:4-5. We are made alive through Christ. We have no power within us that can bring us life. Only through His death and resurrection have we been offered eternal life that removes the curse of sin from us.

Now, though we were dead in our sin, we have been made alive through Christ. What an amazing gift!

God, how can I thank you for the gift of mercy you have extended to me? You saved me and offered me eternal life when I was unworthy. I will never be able to repay the debt that Jesus paid. I am alive in you and have everything I need to live for you. Thank you. In Jesus' name, amen.
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