The Way of Righteousness3/2/2024 Hosea 14:9 ~ "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them." There are many who are of the world that consider themselves "wise and discerning." They have impressive intellects and educational pedigrees that boast of their considerable wisdom from the world. But the Apostle Paul entreats the Corinthians church in 1 Corinthians 3:18, "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise." Being wise in this age has very little to do with being wise unto salvation and the ways of righteousness. But, what are the "these things" spoken of in our text today? Simply put, it is repentance and the restoration of our lives before God. Much of the world has turned aside from knowing the true wisdom that is from the Lord. James 3:17 clearly defines the wisdom from God, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere." But worldly wisdom has forsaken the ways of righteousness and pursued many other avenues and deviations away from the LORD. But the ways of the LORD are right. That is, they are always the only true way that is acceptable to the One who created us. So, believer, if you want to be truly wise in the things that are of highest importance, then you must understand and discern the things of God Almighty. And to find the things of the LORD, you must find them in His word. Romans 12:2 speaks to this, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." But discernment is of little value if it does not lead to a life of faithfulness. And in our text today we learn that the "upright walk" but "transgressors stumble." Let us consider those two conditions. The upright walk in the ways of God. There is a sense of a perpetual going, a continual putting one foot in front of the other along the path of the Lord's delight. Are you one who delights in the Lord? Do you hold some understanding and discernment concerning the ways of Christ? Even in our reading today, you've seen God's call to repentance and restoration. If you're ensnared in a sin, then repent--leave it behind and cry out to God for His deliverance. He promised that He will take away our iniquity and heal us from our apostasy (see Hosea 14:2, 4). Take a moment and recollect what you know of God's ways. Consider how He has called you to worship Him, to live in this world, to fellowship with His people and relate to those around you. Paul instructs the church in this in Philippians 3:15-16, "Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained." You may not consider yourself mature, but you have attained to some level of spiritual growth. Live up to that my friends, and God will clarify for you the steps you are to take going forward. But transgressors stumble in the ways of God. Those who want to hold onto their sins will discover that they will forever stumble upon the ways of Christ. Peter addresses this in 1 Peter 2:7-8, "So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,' and 'A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do." Transgressors who love their sins will argue with the Scriptures, twist the Scriptures, attack the Scriptures and malign the Scriptures--the one thing they never seem to do is obey the Scriptures. Unwilling to repent, they cannot follow in the ways of God for they consider the wisdom of God to be foolish. They love the wisdom of men and the ideologies of the world. They fall into the Proverb, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death" (Proverbs 14:12). Dear friends, the ways of the LORD are right. No amount of debate will change it. If you want to walk upright in this world, you will walk according to the Word of God. You will also find yourself walking against the swelling tides of humanity that love their sin. They will never be able to walk in a way that pleases the LORD. And remember this promise as you enter the day, "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day" (Proverbs 4:18). May your life shine ever brighter today as you walk with Christ. In His Grace, Pastor Michael
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