Shining like the Son

“Do not enter the path of the wicked, And do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; Turn away from it and pass on. For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall. For they eat the bread of wickedness, And drink the wine of violence. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭14‬-‭19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Shining like the Son

Though it is increasingly obvious, our world is descending into the deepest darkness, for we are see and hearing of things once unthinkable. Time and time again, I read or hear the world “unprecedented”, or there are reports of some act of viciousness that defies explanation.

Just yesterday, I heard reports of a six year old boy who shot a teacher in a school in Virginia. This comes on the heals of another case where a young boy shot and killed his grandmother because she would not order some virtual goggles for him on Amazon.

The backdrop of these times is the presence of great wickedness, as the patterns of life on this planet seem to be moving toward the most evil and vile, and and any path that has a hint of righteousness is the path least trod. So many are drinking the wine of violence, and so many more are trying to draw others into their evil.

Even though the result and consequences of following the dark path are becoming all the more apparent, the world rails all the more against those who chosen path of godly righteousness.

They desire nothing more than the ensnare the world in the web of their evil ways.

“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.””
I Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

Reading proverbs chapter four brought to mind the state of things today, as I considered where humanity appears to be headed. Reading through the passage, I thought of the cautions that Paul had for Timothy, as he tried to alert the young pastor of what was coming.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
II Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV

These are the values of he world we are living in today, and increasingly, there are the values of those who occupy the pews of the local church, for the world is pressing in on the followers of Jesus, seeking conformity to the world’s values from the root.

The follower Jesus must not walk the part of sinners, for their desire is to cause stumbling, the disruption of spiritual life, and the destruction of testimonies. But the Lord has given us instruction, for in His word we have been given the path to blessing.

“Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.”
Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV

The Lord offers light in these perilous times, for our mission is to endure and spread the Gospel while there is still time. The root of our walk is in the word of God.

Brothers and sisters, let us avail ourselves of the path the Lord has laid out for us, for we know that His way is pure and righteous, and will protect us. The word of God lights the dark places, and brings light to the path of those who are the called of Christ.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:105 NKJV

Let us be those who seek the word of the Lord, and not the word of this world, for the world has nothing good in mind for us. The Lord is faithful to fill us and assist us in understanding and applying the word, for loves to bestow wisdom on His children. Let us seek the wisdom of the Lord as if looking for the most precious things on earth.

“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.”
Proverbs 2:1-5 NKJV

With the counsel of the word, our paths will shine like the Son, offering great brightness and great blessing. The wicked offer only great darkness, and I tell you the truth, we have not begun to see the density of that darkness.

Let us be faithful to go and tell the world about Jesus, to proclaim the Gospel to all who will hear, for time is short, and Lord’s return sooner than we think.

Let us be ones looking forward to the that return.

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”
II Timothy 4:8 NKJV

Let us the time that we have left to contend for the faith, telling of our life transforming God, never ceasing to take the word of God to the world.

“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
II Timothy 4:1-5 NKJV

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https://www.allaboutgod.com/the-roman-road.htm