Christian Living

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“Do not let your heart envy sinners,

But be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day

For surely there is a hereafter,

And your hope will not be cut off”


Proverbs 23:17-18 (NKJV)


Today, I share a word that is a reminder on why we must choose to endure till the end.

There are times when, as we face the pressures of life, we begin to question the wisdom of our choice to walk in the ways of God. The pain and shame sometimes involved in living out godly choices make us ask if we are really sure we know what we are doing. Other options do exist, but somewhere deep inside; we find pointers that God is not in them.

The truth is, knowing that God is not in some of the choices we make can seem insignificant compared to the pressures of the moment and we find ourselves making choices for the ‘now’ rather than the ‘future’. Sometimes, and this is the better for us, the fear of God constrains us from going the other way. Proverbs 23:17 encourages us to be zealous for that fear. Why?

Because there is a hereafter! Because there is eternity to ‘bid’ for; because there is a day when we must give account to God of all the choices we make. And so, inspite of the pressures we face daily, we must trust God for the courage to let our fear of Him compel us to make choices that will enable us to spend our eternity with Him.

Though our love for God should be our strongest persuasion to live for Him, we must let the fear of Him constrain and steer us away from sin and ungodly choices.

Proverbs 23:18 ends with the assurance that our hope for doing so will not be cut off.

I exhort you to be strong, to hold your chin up refusing to be bowed down, knowing that you are more than a conqueror through Christ who loves you. Know also that no matter the price you might have to pay or the pains you endure to follow Jesus, it is nothing compared to the glory that awaits you in eternity.

Shalom!

Chi Onwuchekwa

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