(Prov 28:4 CEV) Lawbreakers praise criminals, but law-abiding citizens always oppose them.
This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series. Another translation of this verse reads, “If you have no regard for the law, you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it, you are against them.” Scholars seem to be split on whether or not the “law” referred to in the original language of this text is referring to the law of God or the law of the land. Either way, God doesn’t want us to violate either law; you can’t violate the law of the land without violating the law of God. I believe the point Solomon is making here is that some people, in their wickedness, praise the doing of wrong and reject those who stand for what is right.
This reminds me of growing up in Brooklyn. New York City in the 1970s and 1980s was rough and lawlessness was rampant. While there seemed to be a ‘code of ethics’ on the street, where we all looked out for one other, there was definitely a prevailing defiant attitude towards the police and the law in general. Looking back I realize that the majority (yes the majority) of youth, who roamed the streets, had no regard for the law. Whenever the police stopped anyone on the streets, bystanders heckled the police officers and urged them to leave whomever they were questioning alone. I remember watching, as cops would chase people through the streets. It seems liked people applauded if the person the police were chasing got away. I have to admit that I was part of the crowd. I allowed the defiant attitude to permeate into my heart and I developed a negative attitude towards the law and law enforcement personnel. Looking back now, I find it hard to even recognize the person I once was. Not only did getting out of NYC and joining the Army help transform my attitude, but also more importantly, surrendering my life to Christ and submitting to the renewing power of the Word of God has changed me forever. I am now on the other side of the dividing line. I love God, the law, and what is right in His sight; and I am against lawlessness, crime, sin, anything that violates God’s ways.
So what does this mean to you today? It means that you gravitate to what’s in your heart. There was a time in my life when my heart was void of God’s presence and because of it, I allowed the lawlessness of this world to take root. But once I gave my life to Christ and God’s precious Holy Spirit took residence in my heart, I developed a hunger and a thirst for doing what is right in God’s sight. The Apostle Paul was a great example of the change that can/should take place in the life of the believer and he expressed that change in his writings.
In Romans Paul said, “There is no one righteous, not even one… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” but he went on to say that we have been “Justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (3:10,23,24). In Ephesians Paul said, “You were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath.” But Paul went on to say, “Because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved” (Eph 1:1-5)
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for sending Jesus to pay the price for my sin. Jesus died for me and I now live for Him. I am dead to my old man and I have been made new in Christ Jesus. I have a new life, a new nature, new cravings, and new desires. I hunger and thirst for righteousness and I am filled. I submit myself to the process of mind renewal and I am continually being made new, in my soul, through the Word of God. Daily, I learn to align my mind, emotions, and will with Your Word. There was a time in my life when I may have allowed lawlessness to abide in my heart unchallenged, but now Your law has first place in my life! I live to please You because You have made me new! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
