This is a famous bible verse (Proverbs: 9:10) which is being frequently resonated in every Christian homes. My childhood was also no different because I grew up hearing this verse very often. But for me it was just another bible verse which I memorized without understanding what it really meant. I started to know its meaning after I reached a certain position in my life where I began to love God and thus fear Him out of respect.
Wisdom is something which many value and desire to have, but unfortunately the same seems lacking in the current generation irrespective of the biological age. Many of the times we do not see the maturity that is expected of a person. Moreover, they act foolishly saying disrespectful words about others and become more self-centered without considering the fact that they might be hurting others with their words and behavior. Such experiences are very common in different social media platforms, newspapers and advertisements by the label of ‘freedom of expression’. The ultimate reason behind this which I believe is the ‘lack of fear of God’. When someone is aware that he is being watched always by the Almighty God who knows him inside out, i.e. the thoughts, its motives and intentions, the response after doing a mistake, then he will think twice or thrice before jumping on to something. Warren W. Wiersbe says, ‘What we believe about God in our hearts determines how we live’ and I find this so true.
According to the Holy Bible true wisdom begins only when a person starts to fear the Lord. First and foremost one has to believe that a living God exists who created the entire world and He is powerful and good enough to take care of each and every one who seeks Him, and He is a righteous God who is going to judge the whole world righteously. A true state of submission to that God is needed for us by casting away the self-pride and loftiness in our hearts. We see that God honored and did supernatural things in the lives of many people in the bible who humbled themselves before Him. One example being, King Solomon who was the wisest and richest king ever lived in the earth because God blessed and lifted him up (1 Kings: 2:12, 13). Bible does not introduce to us a God who is arrogant and bossy, but it reveals a God who is merciful, tender hearted and loving at the same time holy and righteous.
John: 3:16 & 17 says,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Our Lord Jesus humbled himself and came down to the earth, bore our sins on the cross so that we can have an eternal life free of punishment. But one has to believe in the redemption which was made possible through the blood of Jesus Christ and accept it realizing God’s love towards us. God had already provided us with His grace and the true solution for our sins that we commit in this world. But we need to have a heart ready to acknowledge our mistakes and dedicate ourselves before God asking His pardon and salvation. Bible says in Isaiah: 1:18 that “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Once we believe in this truth, it will set us free from the worldly cares, because our life will be under the control of the living God since we gave Him the permission to rule our lives. This is the point at which the fear of the Lord sets in. This fear is not a threatening or terrorizing one, but a genuine fear out of love and respect towards God. From this personal relationship with God we will begin to know the character and wisdom of God. Bible talks in James: 3:15-17 about two kinds of wisdoms, earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom.
2 Corinthians: 7:1 says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
The new life which God gives us when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior is very precious and it matters to Him a lot. So it is pleasing to God when we walk in that holiness and heavenly wisdom. The word of God (Holy Bible) and the Holy Spirit will help and guide us in that.
May Lord Jesus Christ help each and every one who reads this article to have a fear of God so that we become wiser enough to set our lives in order, aligned to His will.
What will be your answer if this question comes to you? If your response is YES, then comes the next question. Why do you think that you are a Christian? If your answer is a NO, then this article will help you to reconsider and examine many aspects of your life in the light of the Holy Bible. So keep reading till the end.
Now for my Christian readers here, have you ever thought why you are being known as a Christian?
Is it because you have a Christian name in your birth record and certificates since you were born in a nominal Christian family? or
Is it because you regularly attend church meetings and you worship along with the congregation singing many Christian songs?
Is it because you are involved in many Christian mission charity organizations? or
Is it because you admire the wooden cross and have your house decked with bible verses?
In my opinion, all the above-mentioned matters are good if the intention behind it is love towards Jesus, our Lord. But one will not become a biblical Christian due to these reasons. So, before we move on further, it would be sensible to ponder our hearts and figure out the real grounds on which our Christian faith stands. Let us check out what the Bible has to say about this matter.
A COVENANT WITH CHRIST
I would say that Christianity is an eternal covenant made between a person and Christ. For a covenant to exist both parties have to stay faithful and follow the treaty rules. Our God is always a just and faithful God who remains truthful and everlasting. As the name itself suggests, a Christian is under the authority and protection of Christ (Christian = Christ + ian). It can be compared to having a citizenship of a country where we are bound to obey the rules and laws of that country (Indian= India +ian). So, once a person enters into God’s kingdom, he is obliged to follow certain rules ordered by the King who governs it. A self-submission and obedience to the authority of Jesus is required to stay peacefully inside the kingdom with the full protection of the King’s army. Unlike other kingdoms, in God’s kingdom everything starts from the love towards Jesus. Hence all the changes in a person’s life will start to manifest when he comes to realize the real love of Jesus towards him. So, the commitment of life to Jesus comes out of mere love towards Him, and not out of any compulsion. What I meant to say is that no human efforts can actually convert a person to a Christian, except God himself, in His sovereign power. It is a true change which happens deep inside a person’s heart.
The word ‘Christian’ is being used 3 times in the New Testament of Bible to refer the group of people who followed and obeyed the teachings of Jesus. Infact every Christian is actually a follower or disciple of Jesus.
HOW DO WE BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
A person becomes a Christian when he believes in the true gospel of Christ to become a new creation in Christ. This transformation can happen to anyone irrespective of age, gender, religion, caste or nationality. The old self has to be crucified and a God given new heart takes over in his life. His name will be added to the book of life, the heavenly register (Luke 10:20, Phil: 4:3), as a new member of God’s kingdom.
Gospel is a very familiar word to many of the readers because it has been widely used in the Christian sector. This familiarity can be a reason why most of us tend to undervalue its importance with regards to our salvation. Often times, the knowledge which we already have about the gospel can be true also.
True gospel includes,
1) God in his abundant love, sent his only begotten son to this world, who is Jesus (John 3:16)
2) The life and ministry of Jesus,
3) The death, burial and resurrection of Christ for the redemption of our sins and
4) The assurance of an eternal life with our God in heaven.
Now comes the real question. Do you honestly believe in this gospel? Do you believe that the words which our Lord Jesus had spoken while he ministered on this earth is the truth? Do you really believe that the Bible which we carry in our hands is the Spirit breathed powerful word of God? Unless the knowledge which we have received is not being transformed into an actual belief and faith in Jesus, it is not going to help us in any way for our salvation. Only by accepting this gospel message which was once shared to us personally or which we heard in a prayer meeting or which we had read in a gospel tract will be of benefit to us. Now let us examine ourselves whether our faith is built upon this solid foundation, Jesus Christ or is it on some mere traditions or customs that we follow on a routine basis.
BEING BORN AGAIN
Bible says in Romans 3:10 that “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”. We all are born as sinners and however hard we try, to live a sinless life it is impossible. The realization of one’s own sins and the revelation that God sacrificed his only begotten son Jesus for my salvation ignites a curiosity in a person to seek for that Saviour who can redeem us from the real mess of sins. Ie. Salvation is always personal between a person and God. It is the grace of God and not our own good works that is going to take us to heaven. The word of God says,
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians: 2:8)
When this truth is being revealed to a person, a true repentance follows it which transforms one’s heart leading him to a ‘born again’ experience (Re-birth/Regeneration).
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians: 5:17,
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.”
The born again experience in each Christian’s life is different, but the process remains the same. For some, it can happen overnight and for others it might take a while. Whatever the case be, only the person himself and the God will know about the real change that took place inside his heart. It’s his love and commitment to the living God which reinforces his new life in Christ. This is a personal relationship with Jesus, our Saviour who redeemed our lives from death when nobody else could not. This task of gospel sharing is entrusted to us, but no human or angel can be a mediator in this act of self commitment. Sinners getting repented and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour is a true miracle and it is a joyous event in heaven (Luke: 15:7, 10). Baptism has got its importance and meaning in a born again person only. As per Romans: 6:4, through the act of baptism we are burying our old self in Christ and we come out as a new person to walk in the newness of life. It’s a similitude to the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible says in Acts: 2:38 that,
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. “
Hence baptism is that act of obedience in a born again person’s life because it is the obedience towards the God’s unchangeable word.
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16)
Heavenly inheritance is the promise of God to His children who are in Christ. It means that they are delivered out of the eternal hell and destruction. A common statement made by the world is that ‘if we don’t get a pass to heaven, we can atleast be in the ruling team of hell and enjoy there’. Please do not be deceived by the misconception that Satan is in charge of hell and a sinner can enjoy there being in his team. Jesus himself told in Rev: 1: 18 that “I have the keys of hell and of death”.
GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit (Comforter, counsellor, Spirit of truth) that dwells in a person, guides in all the ways of his life and helps in the bodily resurrection of the person when the Lord Jesus comes on the clouds to gather His saints. (John: 14: 16, 17, 26).
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost whom the father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
It is through the Holy Spirit dwelling in a regenerated person, fruit of the Spirit starts to manifest. Hence it is vital for us to recognize and acknowledge the power and fellowship of Holy Spirit who continually works in us till we reach our final destination, Heaven with our Lord Almighty. We have to pray for a Spirit filled life and be like the 5 wise virgins who were smart enough to bring sufficient oil along with their lamps, because they knew that the dark and difficult times were ahead and their lamps must not be put out.
ARE YOU WILLING?
Finally, I would like to remind you that if God had already given you a chance to hear His unchangeable gospel, it means that He loves you so much and wants you to grab this opportunity and be part of God’s kingdom to enjoy eternal life with Him. Do not consider this salvation cheap just because it is being made freely available to us. Salvation is the free gift of God, but not priceless because the price has been already paid on the cross by our Lord Jesus Christ through the shedding of His precious blood. Only this living sacrifice can redeem our lives from the wages of sin, the death. Now the ultimate question is
‘Are you willing to accept this Jesus as the Lord and Saviour?’
I sincerely wish and pray that everyone reading this message receives Jesus into their lives and be part of his immense love.
“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
(Psalm: 119:105)
The Holy Bible is a compilation of different books, which God the Almighty had either spoke or revealed to many of his prophets and disciples to write it over a period of time. So, it is the God’s word and His will that we read in it. Bible is the God given ultimate truth for the world which comforts, inspires, instructs and spiritually nurtures a person to reach up to the divine and holy nature of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bible remarks about Jesus, in the gospel book of John like this.
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.” (John: 1: 14)
So Jesus is the word of God which came down from heaven in fleshly form. Most often the word of God is compared to the daily bread, without which a Christian cannot live and survive in this world. Now let’s deep dive into this particular bible verse which is mentioned above as the title.
1. Light unto my path
In the present world people have diverse options and freedom to choose the path in which they wish to travel whether it be right or wrong. But for a God fearing person, the word of God is like a light which unveils to him the path to be taken, which otherwise would have been impossible to discover. Jesus himself told in John: 8: 12 that,
“I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have light of life.”
Jesus is that light which falls upon the heart of a sinner to make him realize about the truth of his spiritual darkness. Only when this light shines, one gets convicted about his sins and sees the Christian path ahead by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. This encounter in life with Jesus soon demands the person to choose a new course. Either he can choose the new life which God had revealed to him or can turn back to the old sinner’s way to destruction.
The word of God gives a route map through which a disciple of Jesus is intended to walk to reach the real destination of eternal life. The road taken can have ups and downs, diversions, sudden turnings and also troubles which we never expect. These can be avoided or overtaken only with the help of the word of God when it becomes a light for our path. Now that the path is disclosed to a person, it is the responsibility of the person to keep the consistency while walk on it. The word of God, which dwells inside the person will guide and directs the journey throughout his life. As one of the famous hymn sings “What a friend we have in Jesus”, Jesus is the best friend a person can ever hold on in his entire life.
2. Lamp unto my feet
Lamp is a source of light which we have to carry along our journey. It is something which has to be held closer in such a way that our feet can be clearly seen to take each step. A broad spectrum of light will be insufficient for such a purpose, rather a focused light is necessary. The lamp provides more clarity and precision to the route so that even the minutest of the stones or hurdles that can hurt our feet can be seen. When a disciple of Jesus walks through the way to his destination, he needs more insights and revelations from the word of God to guide him.
Hence the word of God acts as a light for the initiation of Christian faith and also a lamp which sustains it till the end.
In Matthew: 7: 13, 14 Bible says,
“Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, a few there be that find it.”
As per the scriptures, the entrance to heaven is narrow and only a few will find it. The gate through which a person enters to experience salvation and eternal life is Jesus Christ. When this supernatural light shines upon a person, he gets to see this gate of salvation opened for him and realizes the immense love of Jesus Christ for him. For the redemption of our sins, He was once beaten up and was lifted upon the cross. We have to believe in Him and accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
Once passed the gate, the way leading to eternal life is also narrow. It is then that the person has to carry his own lamp i.e. God’s word very close to his feet so that he can be careful in each footstep. Since the route is narrow, we need that light all through that journey till we reach the ultimate source of light in heaven.
May the Lord Jesus Christ help each and every person who reads this to see and walk on this marvelous light and let the word of God through the Holy Spirit be the guidance to lead on. Amen.
