“Reprove a wise man, and he will love you.” – Proverbs 9:8
We all want to be wise. But here’s an interesting point: we tend to think that people who are wise are pretty much perfect. Certainly they don’t act in ways that deserve reproof, correction, or discipline! Isn’t that the essence of being wise?
That is true in the abstract: perfect wisdom would indeed yield perfect action and be a sign of perfect character. In fact, that describes God himself: he is Wisdom personified.
But we are humans – and as such, sinners. So though we may attain a level of wisdom, we are hampered by human limitations and human failings. No matter how wise we may be, we can fall into sin. (Remember Solomon and his wives and idols?)
It is then that Proverbs 9:8 comes into play: when we are wise, we will recognize, accept, and be thankful for the reproof of others that calls our sinful actions to account. Only by doing so will we continue to grow in wisdom.
- What is your first reaction when someone reproves you for something you said or did?
- Why can it be difficult to recognize that we have sinned?
- Why can it be difficult to accept our personal responsibility when we have sinned?
- Why can it be difficult to be thankful when someone corrects us?
Copyright © 2010, Paula J. Marolewski. All rights reserved.
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Today’s entry is an excerpt from the novel Meditations of a Slave. We often cling to the myth that the Christian life will be easy: no bumps, no fusses, no pain. But that – as the narrator below suddenly realizes – is not what Jesus promises:
The pain grew more and more intense, and then, suddenly, something soothing and cool washed over me; and I froze again, but for a different reason. I, unlike your old master, never ask you to suffer needlessly. My grace always resurrects the suffering to create life. Do you trust me?
The words were a balm, and I paused in some timeless moment away from the pain of my leg to consider them. I only knew the punishment and driving presence of my old master. I wanted to believe that I would live happily now—despite what Paulos had told me.
But what my new Master promised was grace in pain, not painlessness. Grace meant that the suffering would always better me, and usually someone else as well. Grace meant that I’d be able to bear it. Grace meant that he’d be with me through it.
Questions to consider:
- Do you wrestle with the concepts of pain and grace? Where do you struggle most?
- What does it mean to you that God can redeem and resurrect your suffering – whatever the source of that suffering – to create life?
© 2009 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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I’m very concerned that we sometimes use prayer as an excuse for passivity. We hide behind our bed on our knees because …
- We don’t want to put forth the energy to research solutions to a problem we are facing.
- We don’t want to use our reason to think through a situation and decide what is the best course of action.
- We don’t want to do what needs to be done.
So because “we don’t want to,” we act very spiritual and say “I’m still praying about that.” What we really want is for God to remove us from the situation or remove the situation from us without our lifting a finger to help.
Just a word of warning here: God isn’t in the business of delivering answers on silver platters.
- If you have a problem, expend the necessary energy gathering information about it so that you can be knowledgeable.
- God gave you a brain, and he expects you to use it. He will help you make a wise decision if you ask him to, but you have a part in the process.
- There comes a time when you have to get off your knees and do something. God won’t take action for you.
Don’t make prayer an excuse for passivity. Pray – then stand up in the power and grace of God and take action.
© 2009 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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We often say “God is really moving!” when things are happening openly, when excitement is running rampant, when results are pouring in.
But we forget that “still waters run deep.” It is vital to remember that God is often powerfully moving when nothing visible is happening …
… as he works on our character
… as he waits until the timing is perfect
… as he sets all the parts in motion
… as he prepares people’s hearts
His work then is silent, deep, slow … but oh, so strong!
Think of God’s power like a river. When we “see things happening,” it is like the river rapids: we see the white water, feel the spray, are overwhelmed by the raw power.
But upstream, the same river runs quiet and still. The same power is present – it is just not so readily apparent.
So is our God: he is always moving.
© 2009 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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“But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this he called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm …” – II Thessalonians 2:13-15a
Do you struggle with a feeling of unworthiness? Then listen carefully: God doesn’t roll his eyes when he thinks of you. Your salvation is no afterthought. God isn’t grudgingly cracking the doors of heaven to let you slip in.
His word here reminds us that we – each and every one of us! – are:
- beloved by the Lord,
- chosen for salvation,
- sanctified by the Spirit, and
- destined for glory!
Worthless? No way! God has given us a true evaluation of our worth – signed in blood and sealed with love!
- Take time right now to meditate on these four amazing truths: that you are beloved by the Lord, chosen for salvation, sanctified by the Spirit, and destined for glory.
- Ask God to help you stand firm with a true understanding of your worth!
Copyright © 2010, Paula J. Marolewski. All rights reserved.
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Much of the Christian life is about maintaining a healthy balance. One area where this applies is when the question arises as to whether to move forward with a new venture in the church or in our life.
Here are the two extreme ends of the see-saw:
- “Safety at all costs.” We don’t want to move forward unless and until God has spelled out complete success for us. And so we wait, and wait, and wait … and nothing ever gets done
- “Foolhardy risk.” We go forward full of faith, but without thinking things through carefully. And so we fall on our face and our adventure ends in ignominy.
Where is the balance point, then? I believe it is in “intelligent risk.”
Faith does indeed call us to take risks. Just ask David, Gideon, Nehemiah, Paul, and others through the ages.
But faith also calls us to be intelligent. None of these people leaped before they looked – they knew what they were getting into, they had counted the costs, and they had taken appropriate precautions.
Don’t idolize either safety or risk. Live a life of real faith – a faith that embraces “intelligent risk.”
© 2009 Paula Marolewski, www.SinkYourRoots.com
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