Exhortations to Obedience

Proverbs 3:1–12
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“The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). The law was truth but it was truth without grace. The believer is under grace and not under the law (Romans 6:14). However, he who loves the Lord will certainly want to do His will which is revealed by the law (vv. 1-2).

Loving kindness will demonstrate the truth while a judging spirit will keep the timid from receiving it (v. 3). Those who are obedient to God’s commands will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man (v. 4). He that trusts in his own heart is a fool (Prov. 28:26) but happy is the man whose trust is in the Lord (vv. 5-6). Confidence in one’s own self is like sitting in a broken chair. God promises to guide those who put their utter confidence in Him. To be wise in our own eyes is the very opposite of “leaning not unto our own understanding (vv. 7-8).”

To be walking with the Lord and walking in that which His word condemns is impossible. The path of blessing is the path of obedience. Throughout this passage it has been made plain that the heart of a man’s wisdom is based upon a proper relationship to God (vv. 9-10). Correction is a vital part of discipline God doesn’t punish us because he enjoys inflicting pain but because He is deeply concerned about our development. He knows that in order to become morally strong we must learn the difference between right and wrong.. His loving discipline enables us to do that (vv. 11-12).

Application

If I refuse to repent when God identifies some sin in my life he may use guilt, crisis or some bad experience to bring me back to himself. Obedience is truly the very best way.