“The Congregation of the Dead”....the Wayfarer...3/10/14

“The Congregation of the Dead”
..3/10/14

“The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.”

(Proverbs 21:16)

The way of understanding is often a difficult thing to have, made even more difficult by those who attempt to contradict the teachings of Christ, the prophets and the scriptures left us without taking their entirety into consideration, using snippets to justify to their own mind and to others who will listen perversions of that very scripture and those teachings given us.

Even with this in mind, heavily on my heart after a discussion about the old covenant through the law and the new covenant given through Christ, and just what change that made, in particular to the availability of salvation to us, the Gentile, with an uninformed and contentious person choosing those snippets to justify what is politically and socially correct, I return today to one of those whose writings continue to promote that understanding, whose teachings apply to all men, whether socially correct or not, one who Christ also chose to quote from time to time.

“The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the Lord pondereth hearts.

To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”

(Proverbs 21:1-4)

Whether king or peasant, dictator, or peon, president, or the lowest of any citizenry, the same God is in control of the events of this world, this universe, this temporal existence, and that which is eternal as well.

Those teachings of men that I continue to rail and rant about, are only what is the surface of a far larger, unseen, unrealized plan, that, in the end, cannot be affected by the things that mankind devises no matter how right they seem to him when outside the things that God himself has chosen to make right and righteous that they would seek to deny.

Arrogance, conceit, pride, and all the work to remake God’s decisions in regard to what is right and what is sin, is in itself sin, again without regard to whether committed by king or pauper etc.

Justice and judgment, true justice, and correct judgment may come only through following the justice proclaimed by God, and admitting that His Judgment supersedes our own.

“The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want.

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.

The way of man is forward and strange: but as for the pure, his work is right.”

(Proverbs 21:5-8)

The thoughts of the diligent are the thoughts of those who take heed of the scripture, take heed of the teachings of Christ, take heed of their own requirements to make provision for themselves and those who cannot, and act accordingly, remembering that the fruits of work given is a portion of that requirement, as Adam destined us to earn each of the things given us in life that are truly to be considered any worthy fruit.

The hasty, on the other hand, take no thought to that requirement, concentrating only on the wants of the moment, never once considering that any effort is required of them to achieve those wants. They seek fulfilment of wants only, never even considering needs, neither their own, nor those of others. They are self-centered to the point of denying any requirement for that effort expected of them and uncaring about the needs and efforts of any others, including those from whom they demand those wants be filled.

The treasures they accumulate are accumulated through deceit, and lies, vain self-glorification above both God and fellow man, without any root of understanding, rooted instead in denial of understanding in favor of greed that can only bring about death, both physical, eventually, and spiritual, beginning in that greed and rejection of understanding. Their eventual destruction is assured, by their own actions, their own refusal to accept the Judgment of God and what He requires of each of us.

“It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house.

The soul of the wicked desireth evil: his neighbor findeth no favor in his eyes.

When the scorner is punished, the simple is made wise: and when the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge.”

(Proverbs 21:9-11)

Just as it impossible to placate the anger of a woman who has decided that no matter what is said, it will be argued with, it is better to remove yourself from that anger to a place of peace, no matter how humble or isolated that place of peace may be, until such time as that anger, whether correctly given or unearned, subsides with either final realization of its injustice, or willingness to discuss instead of argue about perceptions of what is just.

Wicked, whether man or woman, seek only evil, and those about them can find no way to please them without endorsing and condoning that evil, which then places the same guilt on the one making any such compromise.

Those who scorn God are eventually punished by Him, as His justice demands it. Those, who comprehend what that punishment entails, seek to avoid it for themself, making them wiser, enabling them to begin to understand and have a true knowledge of what is and is not righteous in their own life.

“The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he shall also cry himself, but shall not be heard.

A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.

It is a joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead”

(Proverbs 21:12-16)

Those actually paying the required attention to the teachings of the Scripture, and particularly of Christ Jesus, will readily see the wickedness of the world and those in it about them, separate themselves from that evil and avoid it.

God himself, will bring the proper punishment to those ignoring His will and demand for obedience.

The cries of the poor cannot go unheard by any able to help them. We are required to attend to the needs of those in need, we are not required to attend to their wants, particularly those that are in denial of what is required of them by God. Anyone selfish enough to ignore true need, will be ignored himself when face with that same need, as happens to all at some point, whether king or pauper, unable to be filled with what one has the ability to provide for oneself.

Gifts given, without the attempt to embarrass the receiver, or glorify the giver are gifts properly given, and, not only, placate anger, but also fill the hearts of both with joy.

Those who seek that embarrassment of others, or only self-glorification face the wrath of God for their actions, because it is sinfully done, Unfelt charity is no charity, but is itself iniquity, just as any deviation from what our instructions tell us is iniquity, punishable, and eventually punished by God.

Understanding is necessary to remain in the will of God, and only given if sought through God!

“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.

The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright.

It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.

There is a treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.”

(Proverbs 21:17-20)

The pleasures of this earth, devoured so greedily and readily without regard to the needs of the body are the surest way to poverty that ever existed or will ever exist.

Just as the grasshopper spent all his time in the pleasures and frolicking about during his life, while the ant labored constantly taking heed of needs that existed, and those yet to come, so too are we to take a lesson from those who recklessly expend their entire lives only on the immediate demands of self-gratification through whatever substance is desired, physical pleasure demanded at that moment without regard to the consequences of the delivery of those things desired to any future needs, or provision made to meet those needs.

Those needs go beyond the needs of body alone, far beyond the wants of body alone, and should instead be directed to needs and what should be wants and desires of a soul in expectation of eternity.

The wilderness provides far more solace than does the cities and grand buildings that grant adulation only to mankind. It provides for the separation from all contentiousness of those self-seeking individuals only seeing others as a means to their own satisfaction of whatever they want at that moment.

We are provided with the things that go beyond our needs, by a glorious and merciful God, anything given needs to be appreciated instead of being immediately consumed in selfishness, and expended wastefully instead of being cherished, whether it consist of material blessing, or the blessing of love given us by God, both his own and that of others when accepted as being that love.

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.

A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength thereof.

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

The desire of the slothful killeth him; for his hands refuse to labor.

He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not.

The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with an evil mind?

(Proverbs 21:21-27)

If we seek righteousness through seeking God with the realization that we are not and cannot be or have that righteousness on our own or of ourselves, then that righteousness will be accorded us by God along with any mercy sought for both us and others, a life acceptable to God while here, and eternal life if accepting the need to give repentance for the promised redemption through Christ and the true righteousness available only through that repentance and acceptance of His gift to us.

If we are to have any wisdom, it cannot come through the teachings of men, whose goals are only the great cities of debauchery and ungodliness that they promote instead of truly seeking what God would have us have in our lives and most particularly our hearts and souls.

Holding our own judgment, through holding our tongues from the constant condemnation of others without first showing the rewards of that could take the place of that condemnation will only leave our own souls tortured, because we have not completed the mission given us to teach others the Way, the Truth and the Life that is available to all for the asking, providing God’s terms of repentance for redemption are met.

Dealing only with that condemnation is indication of pride and haughtiness… Pride only in self, and haughtiness toward both men about us, and God himself, this being all the more sinful than the sins we attempt to condemn instead of allowing God’s own condemnation to suffice.

The refusal to labor, both for physical needs of self and others, for the spiritual needs of self and others can only lead to death, physically and spiritually.

That very laziness is covetous of the things that separate us from the intent and purpose assigned us by God thereby separating us from his love as well.

Those truly following God’s desires spare nothing in their efforts to improve their lot in this life, improve their understanding of the purpose assigned, then vigorously, wholeheartedly pursue that purpose and understanding by applying the wisdom gained through what is given us as guidance by God in the form of the teachings of the scriptures, with particular emphasis on the teachings of Christ alone, who is able to clarify those teachings, only through the complete love shown him by adherence to those teachings.

Any means of attempted self-righteousness is merely taking mankind’s own teachings above those of God, an attempt to justify man’s ways to man himself, an attempt to have an appearance of righteousness, equality, and justice instead of seeking the truth of that righteousness, equality before God, both in His Blessing and in His Wrath when ignored, and the justice faced by all when called before Him to give an accounting for lives lived in and through Him, or squandered living in and through the socially acceptable teachings of man despite admonition given, and choice of truth having also been given.

“A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord.

The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.

(Proverbs 21:28-31)

False prophets, false leadership of all kinds will only fail, and cease in the light of the final judgment of God. Each of them will only be allowed to give their lies to the world for a time, while those hearing and understanding what God wants from us must constantly and consistently stand in defiance of those misleading lies that steal souls, separate man from God, condemning those souls to eternal damnation if true testimony is given and rejected for the pretty promises that deny the price of salvation.

The wicked will always continue to deny God, glorify man and all his waywardness, his teachings on what is socially and politically expedient in place of the honor and glory that needs be given God and HIS teachings that are a bit less expedient and a bit more demanding.

Man’s heart is stony toward God, and grows more so daily. We were warned by Jesus of the time when love would wax cold for many, and that time is definitely on us now.

There is an utter failure to seek the wisdom given through God, that wisdom constantly replaced by the false wisdom of a society that seeks only the vain things of man in its place. It is an evil society forgetting souls while shedding God’s desires in pursuing tangible things that are destined to decay and failure in an attempt to only live once, when in fact, they are required to live once in body, then again in eternity in a soul, blessed or condemned, not by man, but by God.

The horse prepared for battle must rush into that battle without regard to the physical safety of remaining in the stable, never completing its assigned purpose, or remain there useless to that battle, a wasted resource needed on the battlefield while under the protection of our God.

I close in prayer that that horse is taken from the stable and all haste made to join that battle that rages for the souls of the untaught and unreached. I pray that those chosen to ride, have the courage to do so!

I remain as I must and shall always, nothing more than a simple sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, not the most skilled or apt rider, but already standing and continuing to stand on that field of battle as the soldier I was chosen to be.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer