Upright or a fool?

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth Him.
A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.
Fools make a mock at sIn: but among the righteous there is favour.
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. (Pro 14:2,6,9,12,27)

Here we have several verses from Proverbs 14 that show us the difference between those that follow GOD in truth and uprightness, and those that don't; whether they are outright scorners or claiming the 'christian' label.

If you are truly in Christ your lifestyle and "want to's" will change...you cannot say some magic words, or follow some ritual to be born again.  It is an act of GOD, not ourselves.  It is conditional upon our complete surrender to Him, with repentance (changing our mind and agreeing with GOD) of our sIn.  It means that the life we live in Christ is not our own.  We who are truly saved are no longer living our own life, but Christ lives in us; and through the presence and power of His Holy Spirit within us, we who have trust Him for salvation, obey and follow Him.  Complete surrender, complete trust, complete obedience.

The contrast shown in these verses depicts also the scorner, the mocker, the 'church-player' going his own way... all of which lead to death and judgement.  The scorner will meet the Judge he denied.  The mocker will stand in his own sIn, unforgiven.  The unrepentant, religious man trying to save himself will be lost.  All will be rejected by the GOD they refused to bow to; and then when it is too late for their soul, they will bow and acknowledge that Jesus is LORD.

I pray that if that describes you, that you will come to GOD today and receive Him.

If you are truly in Christ today, tell somebody of His love and grace, that they might know and live.

In Christ,
Jefferson A. Sweet