May 17 / Proverbs 17 / Luke 3

baptism

Proverbs 17:4

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; and a liar gives heed to a mischievous tongue.

Actually giving ear to what is wrong, entertaining it for just a matter of a few lingering seconds allows temptation to begin to settle in and do its dirty work.

Run from what is evil. Cling to what is good.

We know what is wrong. Flee from it as soon as you recognize it.

And get better at recognizing it. Soon.

Proverbs 17:8

A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of those who give it; wherever they turn they prosper.

The problem with poor coping mechanisms is that…they work…for a while. They seem like magic for a bit.

Substances do actually numb.

Sex with the secretary–I mean–administrative assistant, does feel good (or so I’ve read).

Constantly going to events, concerts, gatherings, conferences, is a lot of fun and gives a high.

Then what?

Do we do this forever?

Til we die?

Proverbs 17:9

One who forgives an affront fosters friendship, but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.

Man, I see this all the time.

We love to dwell on disputes.

It’s so much easier than forgiveness. It’s so much easier than confronting. And it even feels good. Sitting on my pedestal looking down on that jackhole beneath me. This is an easy job that accomplishes nothing positive.

This has no place among Christ followers.

Flee from it.

Proverbs 17:12

Better to meet a she-bear robbed of its cubs than to confront a fool immersed in folly.

Sometimes it is not even the least bit profitable to confront someone on a matter. They will not even hear you. Let us discern when and when not to confront. We don’t want to use this as an excuse for not doing the difficult and necessary work of confronting someone, yet we also must recognize when people are so steeped in foolishness that they cannot be reasoned with. In this case, I believe the prescription is simply prayer and listening.

Proverbs 17:24

The discerning person looks to wisdom, but the eyes of a fool to the ends of the earth.

If we have sense, we will look to God and His word in all situations, especially those of adversity.

A foolish person seems to go everywhere but God Himself for help-counseling, therapy, self-help books, palm readers, magazines, ungodly friends, magic 8 ball…

Luke 3:3-17

A baptism of repentance.

Immersion into Trinitarian fellowship requires a change of vision, renunciation of your old ways, and a new ethical orientation. John’s baptism was a unique prepatory act looking toward Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. It made ready the way. Conversion to Jesus will include this change of vision, renunciation of the self-way, and a new ethical orientation. It will include serving and giving to others, a heart for God and people as predicted in Ezekiel 36:27.

Or else it is not real.

That is what I get from this chapter of such great depth.

Immersion into the name of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit animates this fellowship in real ways in the real world. It is not private. It is not intellectual. It is transformative in tangible ways in your life and therefore in the lives around you.

If we say we are “saved” and our lives are no different than what the world has to offer, if we have no heart for people, to work toward the healing of all hurt, we should question our immersion into the Trinity. Immersion/conversion will play out in the healing of the world.

Baptism with the Holy Spirit.

A true sign is the Spirit in us. Moving us. Leading us.

Something is in us that is beyond human, and there will be evidence of it.

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