A Thought on Man's Ways

Psalms 119:59 KJV

I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.

Barnes[1] writes that such reflection is threefold

A thought on the course of life

There is a way which each man travels.

• It may be a way that is moral and good but with little concern for eternity
• It may be a way with disregard for others
• It may be a way of abandoned wickedness

A person is wise who stops to think on his ways.

A thought on the guilt of such a course

Whichever course one may find himself on, a careful examination will uncover that it is a sinful way. There can be no other because we are born with a sin nature and no one has proven any different. Though some would deny that their character is sinful every honest man will admit to gave sinned; and more often than he would want others to know.

A thought on the consequences of carrying such guilt.

The struggle of the ages has to do with these consequences. Many deny the existence of God Himself because they do not want to admit there are consequences for their sin filled way. Among those who admit the consequences there are a variety of approaches to dealing with them. Those approaches may be boiled down to just two:

• We work for our justification or
• We trust God because of Christ for our justification

It is good when a man finally stops to think on his ways. My prayer is that such reflection leads to Christ.

---

[1] I have taken his three directions of thought and built upon them my own study.