Proverbs 13:6 KJV
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
I came to see this passage this morning in a similar fashion as I view much of 1 John; as a "test" to discover those who are genuinely saved. 1 John does not give us a list of does and don'ts for people who want to be saved. It is not as if a person can be saved
By giving up sin or
By loving his brother or
By overcoming the world
Rather the one who has
Turned from his sin
Loves his brother and
Has overcome the worldHas given evidence that they are saved.
I saw Proverbs 13:6 in that light today. How may we know that a man is upright? We know he is upright when "righteousness keepeth him." He is not made upright by the fact that he keeps righteousness. But when he is upright, "righteousness keepeth him."
The upright man is in a wonderful position. He is guarded by his righteousness.
It protects and seals him.
It guides and preserves him.
And then when we remember that the righteousness of the believer is Jesus Christ this becomes so much more meaningful. How do we know those who are the upright? By the fact that they are kept in Jesus Christ.
Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.
I came to see this passage this morning in a similar fashion as I view much of 1 John; as a "test" to discover those who are genuinely saved. 1 John does not give us a list of does and don'ts for people who want to be saved. It is not as if a person can be saved
By giving up sin or
By loving his brother or
By overcoming the world
Rather the one who has
Turned from his sin
Loves his brother and
Has overcome the worldHas given evidence that they are saved.
I saw Proverbs 13:6 in that light today. How may we know that a man is upright? We know he is upright when "righteousness keepeth him." He is not made upright by the fact that he keeps righteousness. But when he is upright, "righteousness keepeth him."
The upright man is in a wonderful position. He is guarded by his righteousness.
It protects and seals him.
It guides and preserves him.
And then when we remember that the righteousness of the believer is Jesus Christ this becomes so much more meaningful. How do we know those who are the upright? By the fact that they are kept in Jesus Christ.
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