Proverbs 4:24-27, Rally Round the Standard!
February 22, Proverbs 4:24-27
Matt. 15:10-20; 2 Cor. 10:3-5; Eph. 6:10-18 “It is not great talents, but likeness to Jesus that God blesses” (M’Cheyne).
Rally Round the Standard!
You recall, we are to keep the heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life (v.23). Either, out of your heart a poisonous stream is flowing (Mt. 15:19), or rivers of living (life-giving) waters (Jn. 7:38). From this Citadel flows the springs of life or death.
- The Armoury: The apostle Paul sounds the rallying cry to the standard in his call to arms (Eph. 6:11). This all diligence (above all thy guarding) requires nothing less than that all the resources God has made available for the believer be put to the fullest use.
a. Abide in Christ, God’s Son (Jn. 15). This is spiritual warfare, and every believer is in it. This way cannot be fought with the weapons of the flesh. In 2 Cor. 10:5 Paul pinpoints two goals that must be achieved. One, we must demolish the defenses of the enemy, both without and within the Citadel, by casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. Second, we must complete the fight by bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. No traitors can be allowed to remain. Again, we are exhorted to: Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus (Ph. 2:5). There must be a transforming of our mind into the mind of Christ. Then, more and more, will we exhibit His disposition, His thoughts, His outlook. If we are to win this battle against the rebellious powers around us and within, we must abide in Christ. Therefore, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom (Col. 3:16), and we have also Christ’s promise that He prays for us that our faith fail not.
b. Obey the Bible, God’s Word (Ps. 119:11; Acts 26:19). If we abide in God’s Son, then it follows that we will obey God’s Word. As Paul brings the Epistle to the Philippians to a close, knowing it is the inspired Word of God, he adds simply and succinctly: Think on these things for they shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Ph. 4:7-8). It is God’s Word alone that shows us the difference between the real and the phony, between the true God and idolatry. As we obey God’s Word in our lives will be guided by the righteousness and holiness revealed in Christ. We will learn, in this day of old immorality that God’s standards are not relative but absolute, not temporary and changing, but eternal and constant. That which his lovely and of good report will be reflected in our dress, our demeanour, our deportment, and our desires. In the early days, Christians set a new standard of holiness and happiness. It was frankly acknowledged that “they out-thought, out-lived, and out-died their pagan neighbours.” With the weapons at our disposal, isn’t it time the world once again learned from the Christians and not the other way round? Let us keep our hearts abiding in God’s Son, and obeying God’s Word, and we will not be deceived by the delusions of a godless, hopeless, perishing world.
Thought: It is better to live the martyr’s life than to die the martyr’s death (R. Speer).
Prayer: May the mind of Christ, my Saviour, dwell in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling all I do and say. (Swinstead).