The Path of life (Proverbs 12)

Where are you headed?

What if we pushed out the horizon beyond the obvious answer – “to the shops,” “up the coast,” “back to work”? What if we asked where your life was headed? 

Some of us might baulk at that sort of scope but it’s worth pondering. Where are we headed? 

Today in Proverbs 12 we see an answer that is the natural trajectory of a particular pattern of life;

“In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality.”

(Proverbs 12:28 NIV11)

Are you headed for immortality or death? The difference has to do with our desire to be living rightly before a Holy God. It is He (not us) who will decide the final outcome.

What the writer of the Proverbs could only know in part we know in full thanks to the work of Jesus and the writings of the Apostles. Listen to the way that Paul puts in his second letter to Timothy here:

“He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”

(2 Timothy 1:9–10 NIV11)

Contained in the gospel is a message of hope for those who long for, “life and immortality,” even though we are utterly undeserving of such favour. The truly good news is that, through His Son, God has offered us the grace to be saved and has subsequently called those who receive this salvation to live a holy life. 

The order is important. We could be tempted to think that by cleaning up our act we deserve to live forever but the message is consistent – the gift proceeds the changed life. We are saved as sinners and then called to live a holy life – to pursue the righteous path. 

Wherever you are headed today I pray that you might find a Saviour in Jesus and a path that leads to life and immortality by His side.

Grace and peace,

Stuart.

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