We return to Proverbs 1 today in our devotional study of the Book of Proverbs. As a reminder, my stated goal for this series is to revive “Common Sense” in a world driven by nonsense! I use the term “Common Sense” in a classic sense of what average, common day, churchgoing folk a century ago might have called “Horse Sense”—an ability to exercise good judgment in making decisions. Our society has lost Common Sense because we have drifted far from God and the wisdom that comes from the knowledge of His Word.
Some reading this blog are in churches devoted to entertaining the masses with services that resemble music concerts and a charming pastor who preaches a little ditty of a sermonette. Every Sunday you leave church feeling good, but no wiser in the eternal compelling truths of God’s Word. You congratulate yourself for taking your family to church, but did you encounter the power and conviction of “the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee [and your children] wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15)? Did you hear the Word of God preached unapologetically as the inspired Word of God that is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16)?
Proverbs 1:7 is the key verse to the Book of Proverbs. Like many of the proverbs, it is written in the form of a couplet [in this instance, a contrast between two opposing truths].
Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
My friend, it is the fear of God and knowledge of His Word that dispels foolishness and infuses the heart and thoughts with wisdom. This wisdom begins with having a right relationship with God that comes through believing that Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified and died for your sins, buried and risen from the grave. You and I can never be “good enough” for a Holy and Just God to accept us. For this reason, God had His Son bear the penalty of your sin.
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For He[God] hath made Him [Jesus]to be sin for us, who knew no sin[Jesus being sinless]; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”
Wisdom begins with recognizing Jesus bore the penalty of your sins [your lies, pride, anger, envy, lust] and through His suffering and death on the cross offers you His righteousness. Be wise and, if you have not, pray, confess and repent of your sins, and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sin. Trust Him as your Savior.
Biblical wisdom begins with being in a right relationship with the God and that begins with receiving Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord.
If you have questions or if you made that decision today, I would love to hear from you. You can email me at pastorsmith@hillsdalebaptist.org.
With the Heart of a Shepherd,
Pastor Travis D. Smith