In this important series we have been learning the pillars that help us to make sense of the future. When you understand the future, we are better prepared to face it. So far, the pillars we learned include:
Pillar 01: Bible Prophecy is the key;
Pillar 02: We live in a spiritual world and the challenges, problems and solutions are equally spiritual;
Pillar 03: We have power and victory over the enemy;
Pillar 04: We are called to fearlessness;
Pillar 05: We are simultaneously ‘dead’ and ‘alive;’
Pillar 06: God provides a way of escape.
To these we add the seventh and final pillar. It is well described in Proverbs 4:18-19:
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
In short, Pillar 07 can be summarised as this: Your God-given future is bright. This is very true, however, the converse is also correct: A future without the living God is wicked, dark, and full of offences that will make one stumble.
Ever notice how our mood is affected by weather. When the day is overcast, cold, and dark, it projects a sullen effect. When the day is bright and sunny, we respond with a open heart and uplifted countenance. In the United States, during the short, cold winter days, some people spend the season in the ‘sun belt’ like Arizona and Florida. Yet in the summer, these states become hot spots so the same people stay in the north. We cannot change the weather but we can change our location.
Regarding the seventh and final pillar, there are some important things to to understand:
DECISION
What is notable is that we actually have a choice of which future we want to embrace. Stay in default mode and you automatically gravitate towards way of the wicked, which is darkness. Make a decision to embrace wisdom, understanding, knowledge and prudence – qualities advocated by the Book of Proverbs – and you will be steered to the well-lit path of the just.
A NARROW PATHWAY.
The path of the just is a bright, lit pathway. It is also very narrow. We are told in Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV):
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
You will not necessarily be walking with the multitudes when you choose the path of the just. Yet you will have some choice company.
LIGHT ON THE PATHWAY COMES FROM GOD HIMSELF
The source of all light, life, and love, comes from Almighty God Himself. All His ways are just, holy, gracious, and true. A decision to walk on the ‘path of the just’ is essentially a decision to walk with God and God alone. Endeavouring to walk with God while trying to remain in the world brings all kinds of undesirable consequences. The Lord will not share His glory with anyone else and demands our complete attention, submission and cooperation.
OBEDIENCE
It is impossible to come and remain in God’s light while living in disobedience. God’s simple and just commands are to be obeyed, not merely acknowledged, and with that obedience comes light. In Isaiah 60:1-2, we are told to ‘rise and shine,’ The reason is the light has come and God’s glory is rising. Obedience brings us into every increasing light; disobedience leads us into gross darkness.
This theme of obedience is also enunciated in II Peter 1:19. Since we through Christ have been given a more sure word of prophecy, we would be well advised to heed this prophetic word. Why? It is a light that shines in a dark place. Indeed, the prophetic word is the brightest light we have in this planet until Jesus, the light of the world, comes.
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Obedience requires us to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12). God commands us to awake from sleep and rise from the dead so that Christ can give us life (Ephesians 5:14).
I John 1:5 tells us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. Like the sun gives light to the earth and moon, God gives His light to those who follow him. So we can and should reflect His light and that becomes possible by being on the path of the just.
Future-friendly living is to live in obedience to God’s commands. Enter the path of the just: you will never lack God’s light, you will be future-ready, and you will never look back at past darkness. Guaranteed.