Proverbs 10:17“He is on the path of life who heeds instruction,But he who ignores reproof goes astray.”
The last person you saw walk out the door of the church, never to return, probably did a little act which included guarded criticisms about ‘issues that will never be resolved given the present makeup of the congregation.’The chances of them having stepped out on their own, due to their own convictions, is small. As they say, “It makes a good story.”They followed someone, and tragically, someone somewhere is waiting to follow them.Influence goes both ways:Those who heed the Lord’s instructions are beacons to those on the Broad Road to destruction eager to get off. They see God’s light in the words and deeds of the faithful saint on the Narrow Road and are shown the way to life.But those who forsake the Lord’s correction are guides to those on the Narrow Road to life eager to get off. They see rebellious ways in the words and deeds of the unfaithful saint, now on the Broad Road, and are shown the way to death.This Proverb is a contrast between keeping and forsaking.Not only must instruction be listened to, it must be held on to for the future. Wisdom is not received if it is not kept.The Word of God sustains us for the moment, and develops us unto maturity—not mere existence, but a quality to attained.Never let it be said that we lead someone off the path to life.“And have mercy on some, who are doubting; save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh” (Jude 22-23).John StaigerIf you have been blessed by this message, please feel free to: Like, Comment or Share it with your friends.
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