2/18/12 RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERS FROM DEATH
2/18/12 RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERS FROM DEATH
Kevin Jesmer NIU UBF Saturday, February 18, 2012
Proverbs 11:1-15 Key Verse: 11:4
“Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Dear Lord, God almighty. Guide my heart and my steps and my mind and my emotions today. Help me to follow you closely. Bless our fellowship with Brett’s family today. Help us, in our ministry as we study the book of Judges. Help us to see your faith love and deliverance. Please grant your word in my heart today. I thank you and I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen!
1. Wealth is worthless against wrath (1-8).
Verses 1-8 read, “The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him. 2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. 3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. 4 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. 5 The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight, but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness. 6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. 7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing. 8 The righteous person is rescued from trouble, and it falls on the wicked instead.”
Many pursue money, even dishonestly, because it seems practical. They think, “I have to survive in this world.” Many also put their hopes in other people, thinking that other people can save them. To them, pursuing righteousness does not seem to have any tangible value. They think, “What is in it for me?” But the truth remains, ….our money, our loved ones, and our own righteousness are not able to save us from death, nor can they lead us eternal life.
On my own I could not but remain in my unrighteous condition. It was a lost condition, with no hope and no eternal life and very little good fruit in life. It also brought with it much unnecessary suffering. But Jesus had mercy one me. I thank God for God making me righteous through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This righteousness is from God. Jesus suffered, died, and rose from the dead. He did this to forgive our sins and to give us a righteousness that delivers from death (Ro 3:22). This is not just for me. All who repent of their sins and put their faith in Jesus are given this righteousness. Everyone who repents and believes.
But righteousness is of great value. Righteousness makes our path straight, guides us to live with integrity, and rescues us from trouble. Most importantly, righteousness delivers from death. This is not human righteousness. It is the gift of God. I can go on and on about the benefits that being made righteous in the eyes of God can give. It may not be a lot of money, but there are a myriad of other benefits. But the even if I received no benefits in this life, I would still rejoice and be glad through the righteousness that Jesus gives I have eternal life. This more than enough.
2. Victory through many advisors (9-15).
Verses 9-15 reads, “With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape. 10 When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy. 11 Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed. 12 Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. 13 A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret. 14 For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers. 15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.”
The destructive power of a wicked tongue untamed by wisdom is repeated in these verses. But the tongue of a righteous man can give godly advice. I need to give good advice to my friends, my kids, my Bible students, my work mates and to a lot of people. On my own I can give limited advice, mostly based on self interest. It is because my best advice is based on human reason and based on self interest.
God’s advice is the best. But many times it does not make sense humanly. For example, what about Jesus advice to give up your life in order to gain life? What about a seed falling to the ground and dying in order to bear fruit? What about placing all our hope in the life to come in order to live a fulfilled and blessed life in this world? Such advice is true, but it advice that can only come from God. May I be filled with the wisdom of God, so that I can share this wisdom with the world.
Let us pray for our leaders to have many wise advisors so that they may lead us to victory. There is more of a trend for our leaders to spurn spiritual advice. For example, who is President Obama’s spiritual advisor? I remember Billy Graham being the spiritual advisor of five presidents.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus and the righteousness he gives. Make me a wise adviser by listening to Jesus and good spiritual advisors.
One Word: Hold onto Jesus’ righteousness and the wise advice from above.
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