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GOSPEL TRUTH: Gospel Wisdom
Three vital texts from PROVERBS…..
The book of Proverbs is a source of great wisdom. It was compiled by Solomon who was renowned for wisdom surpassing almost all others. “The proverbs of Solomon” were put together into a volume that readers might “know wisdom and instruction” and thus “increase learning” (Prov.1:1,2,5 KJV). One of its most powerful themes is found in the opening verses and simply states, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (1:7). In other words, give God His rightful place and reverence Him for who He is and for what He can do, and you are on the road to wisdom.
Some helpful verses relating to the message of the Gospel can be found in this book of wise sayings. We are going to look at three of them. They explain to us how our lives can be brought into a right relationship with God.
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1. Proverbs 20:9:
“Who can say, ‘I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?’”
This important question is challenging and can only be answered correctly in one way. Nobody could truthfully utter those words. We might seek to reform our lives and could consider that we have brought about an improvement, but what kind of standard are we applying? Measured against our previous lifestyle we might honestly think we have changed for the better, but how about deep down in the heart? The statement is not referring to outward conduct but to the condition of the heart. God searches the heart and knows what lies within its hidden depths (Jer.17:10). His assessment is that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer.17:9). His standard is perfection. The implication is that nobody could utter these words in all honesty and declare, “I have made my heart clean.” It is not within our power to do such a thing.
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2. Proverbs 28:13:
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
As we have seen, we cannot cleanse ourselves from the stain of sin. However, there are times when we may endeavour to “cover” our sins from the sight of others. If we attempt to do so, we “shall not prosper”. Sooner or later those sins may be found out and brought into the light. When that happens, we will have to deal with the consequences of our subterfuge. It is one thing to cover our sins from other people, but it is quite another to cover those sins from God. He can see every detail, and we will never succeed in deceiving Him.
As we look at this verse, there is another alternative. We can confess and forsake those sins and therefore receive mercy. God is merciful and ready to forgive (Isa.55:7). Although we cannot “cover” over our sins, God has the means whereby they can be covered. It is the precious blood of Jesus Christ His Son that is able to cleanse us from all sin (1 Jn.1:7). In order to receive this mercy and thus be spared from the punishment which we deserved from a righteous and holy God, we need to confess and forsake those sins. Scripture is clear: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn.1:9).
One further point must be considered. In order to receive mercy at the hand of God we must not only confess our sins to Him but also forsake them. This second step will prove that the confession has been genuine. It might be possible otherwise to express some insincere words of confession without being truly sorry for our sins. We must come to Jesus Christ, accepting the merits of His sacrifice and asking Him for pardon. Along with this there must be a sincere desire to forsake the paths of sin and live differently – with His help.
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3. Proverbs 29:1:
“He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.”