The Definition of A Christian

(Proverbs 14:24-27 KJB)  The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.  (25)  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.  (26)  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.  (27)  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

            These verses from Proverbs 14 were published on the back of our Church Bulletin this week.  I wrote a Devotion for our weekly bulletin, but I had this Devotion in mind for this article, “...from the Pulpit.”

            By carefully reading this Proverb, we can see that these few verses define a Christian, a summarized version, but nonetheless a definition.  Below, I have collected those portions which I have used.

                 

(Proverbs 14:24-27 KJB)  The crown of the wise is their riches:.. (25)  A true witness delivereth souls:.. (26)  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.  (27)  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

            The “…crown of the wise…” (in regards to our riches,) tells us to be wise and prudent with what God has given us.  It isn’t being overly frugal, but careful as to how others see us in our spending.  This “crown” shows we are tithers, we support missions, we support our local church, and we attend regularly.

            Again we are told to be “…A true witness …” someone who asks his neighbors, his friends, and his family to join him at church.  He is a person who willingly tells any or all he meets about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and he does it with “…strong confidence ..,” a confidence that shows a “…fear of the LORD …” [“…fear….” being defined as “moral reverence” of the LORD.]  He knows who he serves, and has the understanding that his LORD will meet the needs of his “…children..,” his family, and himself.  He knows that his reverence of the LORD will protect him today, and down the road.

            I believe this shows a good overview of a “good Christian,” however, as was with Job, we must protect ourselves against ourselves.

(Jeremiah 9:23-24 KJB) Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  (24)  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

            We are not to “…glory in his wisdom …”, as that would defeat our fear [reverence,] of our LORD God.

(Revelation 2:4 KJB) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

            We must be very careful in our “walk and our talk.”  Does the LORD have “…somewhat against thee …” because you may have strayed away from “…thy first love…”  These verses define us.  Can we all say, “Yes LORD, I am a Christian as defined above, and LORD I do know my heart is with You.”  Where is your “…first love …?”

Bro. John R. E Chastain

This Devotion was written for publication in the Wellington Leader, Wellington, Texas, for publication under "...from the Pulpit"  April 21, 2010

A Wise Man or A Fool

              Reading Proverbs 14:24-27 quoted below, we see the definitions of two people.  The first person is wise in what he owns, and is a true witness.  He delivers souls and has a strong confidence and his children are protected through his fear of the Lord.  The second person we are told is a folly (weakness of intellect; imbecility of mind; want of understanding; depravity of mind,) a foolishness of fools.  We are also told he is deceitful (tending to mislead, deceive, or ensnare,) like the devil willing to draw you into his foolishness, (absurdity; folly.)                                                

               So how do these definitions affect you and I?  What one man calls wise, another might call folly.  So how can we know if our lives are being written as “wise” or in “foolishness?” 

              For us to answer these questions, we must resort to God’s Word.  God’s Word is the final authority; and it should be the final authority in our lives.  How do we know, without a doubt, if we, and our family, are living wisely?

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

              Who do you and your family serve?  A wise man knows who God expects him to serve.  Joshua gives us the choice of a wise man and his family.  It does not matter what your parents were, make your choice, “choose you this day whom ye will serve;..”   The choice for every person is to choose God and His Son, Jesus.  This doesn’t mean you will always make wise decisions.  You will make mistakes, in that there is no doubt. 

Romans 12:1-2  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  (2)  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

              However, by choosing God and seeking His “…that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God,” you will have made the correct choice, a choice of living a sacrificial life in the service of God.  By transforming our minds, we can more clearly see God’s will, and we will be more conformed to Him than to the “world.”

              Choose God today and avoid the “…the snares of death.”  Accept Jesus.  He is the way, the only way.

Bro John R. E Chastain

Proverbs 14:24-27  The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.  (25)  A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.  (26)  In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.  (27)  The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.