Solomon speaks to his son about the things that he has been given the wisdom to understand. Here is a fuller view of what he tells his son:
Solomon contrasts the different paths that are laid before us all. One path is described with words like wickedness, violence, and darkness. The other path is described by words like righteous, and light of dawn. So how do we know what path we are on?
Would you be startled to discover that even though you walk through life with physically well eyes you could very well be among those that Solomon says are stumbling in the darkness? The kind of darkness that Solomon is speaking about here is not actual darkness. He is speaking metaphorically about the natural spiritual state of man. Man is born spiritually blind. This is why Jesus came, to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Jesus even referred to Himself as "the Light of the world".
Again we see the contrast being made of those walking in darkness and those who do not. Those who do not walk in darkness according to Jesus are those that "follow Me". Just as Jesus called His disciples with the simple command to "Follow Me", He makes the same call to you today.
Coming to an understanding that you are walking in darkness because you are not following Jesus is the first step to making a spiritual change. The one who is going to follow Jesus must "deny himself and follow" as Jesus says in Matthew:
Jesus' point is that there has to be a total change of direction, a turning away from one's self and a turning toward Jesus. Also notice it is not just a turning but a turning and then a following. The onetime event of turning to Jesus has a natural outcome of a day by day walking and following Jesus as one's Lord and Savior. Jesus makes it very clear - count the cost of following Me. Jesus says it is like picking up your cross each day. Does this mean that it is a burden to follow Jesus? Certainly not, but there is a cost, there is a price to pay. We must die to ourselves and follow Him. We can't have it both ways.
Enter the word repentance. This turning away from one's self and turning to Jesus is called repentance. Are you ready to do that today and change the path that you are on? Are you ready to get on the path of light and righteousness?
Your eyes can be opened to see spiritually. But just like the Psalm says "the Lord raises up those who are bowed down". Bowing down shows humility, brokenness, reverence, and respect. The first thing that must be broken is our pride. We must understand that we cannot work our way to God, we can't get on a church membership, go through enough rituals, attend enough church services, pay enough money, etc. to earn our way into heaven. We must forget our pride and realize that we CAN'T do it on our own. That is the whole reason that Jesus came in the first place. He came to save us because we cannot save ourselves.
So are you ready to humble yourself? Are you ready to make the next step in your spiritual journey? Are you ready to walk on the path of light and righteousness? We would love to talk with you. Please contact one of our pastors or you can read more about God's plan of salvation.
Proverbs 4:17-19
[17] For they eat the bread of wickedness
And drink the wine of violence.
[18] But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.
[19] The way of the wicked is like darkness;
They do not know over what they stumble.
Solomon contrasts the different paths that are laid before us all. One path is described with words like wickedness, violence, and darkness. The other path is described by words like righteous, and light of dawn. So how do we know what path we are on?
Would you be startled to discover that even though you walk through life with physically well eyes you could very well be among those that Solomon says are stumbling in the darkness? The kind of darkness that Solomon is speaking about here is not actual darkness. He is speaking metaphorically about the natural spiritual state of man. Man is born spiritually blind. This is why Jesus came, to open the eyes of the spiritually blind. Jesus even referred to Himself as "the Light of the world".
John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
Again we see the contrast being made of those walking in darkness and those who do not. Those who do not walk in darkness according to Jesus are those that "follow Me". Just as Jesus called His disciples with the simple command to "Follow Me", He makes the same call to you today.
Coming to an understanding that you are walking in darkness because you are not following Jesus is the first step to making a spiritual change. The one who is going to follow Jesus must "deny himself and follow" as Jesus says in Matthew:
Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Jesus' point is that there has to be a total change of direction, a turning away from one's self and a turning toward Jesus. Also notice it is not just a turning but a turning and then a following. The onetime event of turning to Jesus has a natural outcome of a day by day walking and following Jesus as one's Lord and Savior. Jesus makes it very clear - count the cost of following Me. Jesus says it is like picking up your cross each day. Does this mean that it is a burden to follow Jesus? Certainly not, but there is a cost, there is a price to pay. We must die to ourselves and follow Him. We can't have it both ways.
Enter the word repentance. This turning away from one's self and turning to Jesus is called repentance. Are you ready to do that today and change the path that you are on? Are you ready to get on the path of light and righteousness?
Psalm 146:8
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
The Lord raises up those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous;
Your eyes can be opened to see spiritually. But just like the Psalm says "the Lord raises up those who are bowed down". Bowing down shows humility, brokenness, reverence, and respect. The first thing that must be broken is our pride. We must understand that we cannot work our way to God, we can't get on a church membership, go through enough rituals, attend enough church services, pay enough money, etc. to earn our way into heaven. We must forget our pride and realize that we CAN'T do it on our own. That is the whole reason that Jesus came in the first place. He came to save us because we cannot save ourselves.
So are you ready to humble yourself? Are you ready to make the next step in your spiritual journey? Are you ready to walk on the path of light and righteousness? We would love to talk with you. Please contact one of our pastors or you can read more about God's plan of salvation.