He’s still a tenderfoot and he’ll be one even if he stays out here the rest of his life.”
–John Benteen (Fargo)
“And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
–Revelation 20:15(NKJV)
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Where is your focus? Where is your attention? How do you live each day? Answer these questions then read the following verses from Proverbs 8 and reevaluate your answers.
32 — Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 — Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it.
34 — Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
35 — For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD;
36 — But he who sins against me, wrongs his own soul; all those who hate me love death. (NKJV)
It is a daily waiting, watching, and walking life. Bob Beasley writes, “We are to live moment by moment, from faith to faith, step-by-step, on a daily basis.” Our concentration is to be upon the Lord every moment of every day. Paul tells us, “For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.'” (Romans 1:17, NKJV) We never know what might lie ahead, so we should consciously try to be the best we can in all circumstances.
J.L. Flores says, “Not to listen is to refuse. Not to wait on God is to sin against Him–is to despise the provisions of His mercy.” It is foolish, downright stupid, for people to ignore the wonderful grace and mercy that is before them. We have this simple, yet profound statement, if you have Christ you have life. Then the contrast, if you hate Christ, you love death. To refuse Christ then is a self-destroyer, a sort of spiritual suicide. “He who refuses to drink of the Fountain of Life, must, of necessity, be left to soul-death.” (Flores)
We see the wonderful blessings that are promised to those who will listen to the instruction of God’s wisdom and keep God’s ways. Life and favor (grace) are His and He gives them freely to all who accept the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. Why then is man so foolish? Christian, I would also advise you to check your time; prioritize it to meet with the Lord, to find Him, and to walk with Him. Perhaps this person was right when he said, “We live in a world full of stupidity. Stupid acts done by stupid people with stupid motives.” I remember the words of that bard, Don Edwards, “You can fix ignorance, but stupidity is fatal.” To go against God and His ways is indeed, fatal.
I hear, I read, and I wonder. How in the world some folks out there actually believe what they say and do. Samuel Miller hit it right on the head when he said, “Doing without is a stupid misery; but hating wisdom is an insane marvel.”
Listen to what you are taught! “Wisdom’s gracious invitation is more desirable than anything and an invitation to a blessed life.” (NKJV Study Bible)