The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Path

  • The Way that Seems Right

    “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

    Proverbs 16:25

    “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes” (Proverbs 12:15). Consider what comes when one behaves as a fool. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).

    As Christians, notice what we should learn about how to live wisely. “1. The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. 2. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits” (Proverbs 16:2). Clean means “clear; pure (morally). People generally think they are right (basically morally good). However, we recognize that it is the Lord who weigheth (means “measure out as with a balance”) the spirits. Spirits means “the element of life in the soul—the part of man that enables him to think and reason”. The Lord will prepare our heart if we let Him. Having done this, God knows the intents of the heart (see Hebrews 4:12). Also remember what is recorded by Jeremiah. “23. O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. 24. O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing” (Jeremiah 10:23-24). It is important to recognize that a Christian must check their lives according to what God says in His Word – not compare that life to other Christian’s lives. Knowing God’s Word helps us understand what God expects. As a Christian reads the Bible, sin is revealed that must be corrected. We are to use God’s Word to understand how to correct our hearts and lives.

    Use the following to help you understand only a few wise words by which to live found in Proverbs:

    The following is something very important all Christians should do: “Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established” (Proverbs 16:3). When we follow after God and His ways, our thinking will be correct (established means “stable, fixed or set aright”).

    Remember: God made everything for Himself. “The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Proverbs 16:4). Accept God’s sovereignty. We are to understand that God is in control. We are to please God, not ourselves. Remember the fool: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Psalm 14:1). Then remember the faithful who trust God: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). A Christian must get in step with and walk with God!

    “Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished” (Proverbs 16:5). Even if all of the world joins you, if you are proud in heart (means: “raised up within the center of being—heart, emotions, will”), you will be an abomination (means: “morally disgusting”) to the Lord and will not go unpunished. It really does not matter what everybody else is doing; it matters that Christians do what is pleasing to God.

    “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). When man fears God and departs from evil, God forgives.

    “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7). What great motivation to want to please the Lord!

    “Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues without right” (Proverbs 16:8). As we have learned, riches of this world are not to be desired over the things of God.

    “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).The word deviseth means “the activity of thinking, creating new ideas” and directeth means “confidence that God will direct our paths”. It can be quite easy to make grand plans for one’s life. However, Christians are to understand with confidence that God will direct our paths.

    “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:25). Be encouraged to recognize that even when it seems right to us, if it isn’t what God has taught (according to Scripture), the end is death.

    “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city” (Proverbs 16:32). Learning to control one’s anger (one’s spirit) is very important, more important than conquering a great city.

    These are only a few of the great and wise words found within the book of Proverbs. Christians would be wise to read and follow the wisdom Solomon recorded for us to know. Remember that it is a personal choice – to seek wisdom or to become a fool. We would be wise to not only read, but to memorize the many words of wisdom found in God’s Word.

    Have you learned the importance of committing your life to the Lord understanding that it is only then that your thoughts will be established which will allow your path to be right before God?

    http://biblicalpath.com/index.php/how-to-be-saved/

  • Turn unto Me

     “Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.”
    Zechariah 1:3

    Have you ever made a wrong turn in traffic? Did you lose time with the error? Could you potentially become lost? If you have a GPS system that helps you find your way, it is much easier to stay on the chosen path. Moreover, if you make a wrong turn along the way, you may hear a voice say something like, “Wrong turn; recalculating your route.” Or maybe something like, “Make a U-turn at the next available intersection.” The idea is to let you know, immediately, that you are on the wrong course heading in the wrong direction. The sooner you correct the course, the fewer delays you have and the quicker you return to where you should be. The same is true in a Christian’s life. God has a plan (a course) for you to take. When you detour from that plan, it can cause you to lose time, or potentially become way off course. In the Old Testament, God often sent prophets to remind the people of God’s Word, to turn them around and put them back on the correct course (the plan God had for them).

    When God’s people were allowed to return home after the seventy years of captivity in Babylon, they once again needed to be reminded to turn back to God. See some of the prophet’s words from the Lord to the Israelites: “2. The LORD hath been sore displeased with your fathers. 3. Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. 4. Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD. 5. Your fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? 6. But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us” (Zechariah 1:2-6)

    Today, we are privileged to own our personal copies of God’s Word, the Bible. It is our responsibility to read our Bible, daily, to stay on the path God has for our lives. He is not going to send a prophet to you personally to remind you of what He has told you to do. Each Christian is to read their Bible to remember what God has told them to do according to His Word.

    The Israelites still failed to do what God asked them to do. They needed reminding – just as we often do.

    The following is a quick check list to consider how you are doing:

    • Do you have Jesus in your heart?
    • Do you read your Bible daily?
    • Do you obey what it says in God’s Word?
    • Do you realize when you are doing wrong?
    • Do you correct your course when you recognize you have detoured from what God has planned for you?

    Answering these questions will help you look at your own heart and life. God does – daily. Remember Job 7:17-18: “17. What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? 18. And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?” The word try here means “to test; to investigate, to examine, prove.”

    God loves those who belong to Him. He checks on you each day (much like a loving parent checks on a child) to see how you are doing.

    How are you doing?

    Are you keeping your life on the course God has planned for you?

    How to be Saved

  • Light versus Darkness

    “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.”
    Proverbs 4:18-19

    Everyone understands the difference between light and dark. They are opposites. In one, you can see clearly, in the other you cannot. In the darkness, much can be hidden and unseen. Sometimes we think of the scary things – seen or unseen – in the darkness. See what King Solomon recorded for us to read: “18. But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverbs 4:18-19). These are two separate ways. They are in contrast one with the other. The way of light, shines more and more. This helps one understand that the path becomes brighter and brighter, where one is able to see and comprehend what is before them better and better.

    What is this light that shines? See what Jesus said in the book of John. “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Jesus is The Light. Those who believe in Him (Christians) are to walk in that light, not in darkness. Understand why Jesus came: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness” (John 12:46). There is a choice: light or darkness. For those who do not want to walk in darkness, they should choose Jesus, the Light of the world.

    So why doesn’t everyone choose light, believing in Jesus? When people reject God and His commandments, the land fills with “darkness.”  See what Jesus said, “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). There are those who prefer the deeds one finds in the darkness – evil deeds. Those evil deeds are sin that separates people from God. Read why Jesus told Paul to go preach the Gospel message: “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me” (Acts 26:18). One can understand that those who choose evil deeds, walking in darkness, are under the power of Satan.

    Remember that Jesus came to set people free from that darkness to walk as His dear children in Him (the Light).What can we learn about those who choose to hear the Gospel message of Jesus, turning from those evil deeds done in darkness (sin)? “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8). Those who choose Him have the light of Jesus in their hearts and lives. Christians are taught to walk as children of light for a Christian cannot walk in “darkness” (sin).  “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth” (1 John 1:6).

    As we continue to read, we find more instruction that Christians are to heed. “11. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Ephesians 5:11-12). Do not be one who has the Light of Jesus in your heart and mind, yet continues to walk with those who chose to remain in darkness. Instead, we are to tell them about Jesus and encourage them to choose the Light of life. As Christians (God’s people), we are to be different – not like the “world” around us “14. Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:14-17). Wake up! For Jesus will give you light (illuminating your path – remember Psalm 119:105: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path”), then walk cautiously as wise, and understand what the Lord has planned for you.

    Do you walk in darkness, not knowing at what you stumble?

    Or, have you chosen the path of the just that is as the shining light?

    How to be Saved

  • Know God’s Way

    “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
    Psalm 25:4

    Have you ever wondered what God has for your life, or how to find out?

    What is most important thing a Christian can do?

    The most important thing a Christian can do is to know God’s Word. Many Christians think it is enough to have a general idea of what is in the Bible. However, the following verse declares we need to know more of it: “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths” (Psalm 25:4). What paths?

    The Bible is full of people who have chosen to know God’s ways, and follow in His paths. There are also many people recorded that chose to not follow in God’s paths. Each person is to read the Bible to find out what happens in a person’s life when they follow God’s paths, and what happens when people choose to make their own way in the world, disregarding God’s paths. “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Corinthians 10:11). The Bible was written for us to not only come to know Christ as our Saviour, but to follow the examples that are recorded within so we know how to live a life pleasing to God. Knowing what is in the Bible can keep us from much heartache in our lives. It can also bring us much comfort and encouragement. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

    Some people find the Bible too difficult to read. Others may think it takes too much time to read. There are many excuses as to why people do not know or understand the Bible. But what does the Bible tell us? “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter” (Proverbs 25:2). Understanding the Bible can really be very simple. The Biblical Path of Life (http://biblicalpath.com/) is a simple Bible study that basically just organizes a plan on how to know what the Bible is all about. It encourages each person to take the time to read their own Bible in an orderly fashion, so there will be no question as to what God expects from people. Reading, and knowing what the Bible has to say, is the only way anyone can have God show him or her His way. It is then one can know the path God has for their life.

    Do you want to know the path God has for your life?

    How to be Saved

  • Ponder thy Path

    “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.”
    (Proverbs 4:26-27)

    Solomon was a very wise man. When King Solomon asked God to give him an understanding heart to judge God’s people, God gave him great wisdom. “Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.” (1 Kings 3:12). Notice that God said there was no one wiser before or after King Solomon. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were a thousand and five (see 1 Kings 4:32). Although King Solomon did many foolish things in his kingdom, he recorded many wise words that are relevant even today.

    The book of Proverbs tells us some of wise words from King Solomon. Note that this book is for anyone who wants to know wisdom and instruction that Solomon learned from God (Proverbs 1:2). The introduction to this book is amazing! (See Proverbs 1:1-6.) It very plainly tells of its importance. However, it also tells the response from God to those who reject these words of wisdom. When the rejection of God’s Word is played out in one’s life and calamity comes, God will not be there to help (see Proverbs 1:20-27). Worse yet, God said, “Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me” (Proverbs 1:28). What a truly scary thought! Compare this to another Proverb recorded. “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17). Can you see the difference?

    Why would God respond in such a way? Continue reading, “29. For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30. They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:29-31). Now do you see whose fault it is? Trouble that comes into one’s life for hating God’s knowledge and His counsel is always the fault of the one who chooses to disregard God’s Word. We should never choose our path in life over what God wants for our life. Chapter 1 ends with an encouraging word to help one understand this. “But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:33). What comforting words! Hearing from and listening to God is most important. After we learn to do that, we know what to do and where to go, and we will dwell safely. This is what one must consider as we read another Proverb King Solomon recorded for our instruction. “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:26-27). Walk straight in the path God has placed before you, not turning to the right nor to the left.

    Jesus later told the people, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:14). Only God’s Word can lead you to life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (see John 14:6).

    Have you pondered the path of your feet?

    Where is that path leading you?