Today’s understanding of the Gospel message is that we are sinners, incapable of doing anything right or good. While much of this may be true before becoming a disciple of the Master, the grace Gospel has morphed into a license to sin. It has become the excuse that allows us to continue doing wrong when we know what’s right.
This grace Gospel has even quoted Paul’s “do be” verses in Romans as proof text that we are incapable of doing any good on our own, unable to obey God’s Word. It goes further to use Paul’s cry “who will save me” as proof that we have no control.
I used to believe that, too. Yet, I had a hard time reconciling various other passages in Paul’s letters such as ‘I beat my body into submission’ and ‘the fruit of the Spirit is…self-control’.
This morning I was reading Proverbs 2:
6 For Adonai gives wisdom.
Out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright.
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity.
8 He guards the paths of justice,
and protects the way of His kedoshim (holy ones).
9 Then you will discern what is right
and just and fair—every good path.
10 For wisdom will enter your heart
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.
11 Discretion will watch over you
—discernment will guard you—
12 to deliver you from the way of evil
Here we see a different Gospel message, one that lines up with the totality of God’s Word.
Out of God’s mouth comes wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. These are God’s words. Yeshua is God’s Word made flesh. From God’s mouth comes Yeshua, full of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Yeshua, whose very name means ‘salvation’.
In verse 10 we read that wisdom will enter our heart to deliver us from evil ways. We have the Word of God living in us to keep us upright, walking in integrity, holy!
Now that truly is good news.
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