The Pilgrim Path---Proverbs 1: 20 – 23

Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out; at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:

“How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”

“WISOM CRIES ALOUD…”

After the horrors of the Garden of Eden, the LORD God Almighty might well have tossed man aside because of his transgression. Yet, in every age---HE calls out through the truth of HIS Word. Here in Proverbs One---Wisdom is personified. Sometimes the dear Soul is ignored---or made fun of by a “hearing” world. We humans figure---since we have the internet, and cable TV---we know everything---about everything. Alas, our biggest problem comes from within: we are moral rebels. We cannot transform ourselves. We need a remedy from the “outside” to radically change us. Even “after” conversion, the Apostle Paul reminds believers that they may grieve the precious Holy Spirit of God. We have this incredible propensity to keep “turning” from the way of Wisdom. Had you noticed, the LORD Jesus will let you “fall” so that you will “run” back to HIM in brokenness and humility?

Ole C. S Lewis used to say that there were just two groups of people in the world: Those that say, “THY will be done,” and those that say, “MY will be done.” By the grace of God---may we be with King Jesus in “all” things!

Notice the awful result of NOT wanting anything to do with God’s Way---the Way of Wisdom:

“Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” Proverbs 1: 29 – 33----As Derek Kidner says, the eternity of people is not sealed by “fate”---but fault---their turning from the LORD…

Be careful to whom you give your allegiance in this world. You might wonder, “I wish there was some real measure---guidance--- for the Followers of Jesus?” Do not worry---Here it is:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” Galatians 5: 19 – 26

From John Owen: The Holy Spirit is our only sufficiency for the work of mortification. He is the only great power behind it…Those who seek to keep down sin without the aid of the Spirit, labor in vain. They will combat without victory, wage war without peace, and are slaves all their days…

From John Duncan: Conformity to the world is one of the most besetting sins of the professing church at the present day.

***Please ask the LORD’S great mercy and help for Marius Angu (Rose Poggo’s dear husband)--- He heads back to South Sudan today.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason