You know from other portions of My Word that I make it clear that righteousness is not gained by human effort. It is rather My gift, but it is only given to those who prize it. But you also know that righteousness, as a gift which establishes a right relationship between me and those who receive it, is also expressed in deeds that reflect My character. But as you see from this portion, righteousness produces certain attitudes as well as certain conduct. And both the attitude and the conduct are crucial to the expression of righteousness in one’s life. For no one can manifest righteous conduct without a righteous attitude, and a righteous attitude cannot be hidden but will surely manifest itself in righteous conduct. And you see here, as you read these words that portray the contrast between righteousness and wickedness, that righteousness enables one to be far sighted and to consider what will result as the end and the fruit of his choices and his actions. In contrast the wicked are unable to see the real end of his choices and actions, and he is quite deceived very often because the consequences of his choices and actions may seem to be more immediately what he desires them to be. But in the long run they will prove to be fruitless and even destructive. You see also that the righteous man because he thinks this way, that is in the long term, he is able to love discipline and to embrace correction because he understands that even though it may for the moment cause pain, yet in the end it will yield fruitful and good results. Because the wicked are not farsighted and do not consider what the long-term consequences of his choices and actions will be, he does not love discipline or correction. He is not able to see and value the good that such will produce. As you review those characteristics of the righteous and the wicked as they touch upon human relationships, you see that the righteous is giving and caring. It declares that he is even this way with his animals as well as with human relationships. On the other hand the wicked is selfish and uncaring. And even when he seems to be caring, it is actually masking selfish intent. It is not truly what it appears to be. And I have already spoken to you about the reward that the righteous gains, even in this world, and the return that the wicked receives as a result of his wickedness. But I want you to understand that all of these words written here which describe the way of the righteous and its results and the way of the wicked and its results, are not given with the thought that they can merely influence people away from wickedness towards righteousness. No, they are rather given to encourage those who want to follow the way of righteousness, so that they can consider both its necessary disciplines, its true character and its rewards. And perchance those who come to an end of satisfaction with wicked ways can be drawn away from them by seeing its true character and its certain end. Understand, My son and My daughter, that as long as I extend My love and mercy to the sons of men, so long will I also extend to them the appeal to change and to receive the way of righteousness.

Tags: Reward, Righteousness, Wickedness

Here you have three very important admonitions that it is impossible for you to ignore if indeed you would live in a manner that pleases Me. And while indeed there is in the first admonition an appeal that involves your own well being, nonetheless in all of these there is not only warning about what not to do, but behind each is the clear implication that you are urged about these matters, because each of them involves that which pleases Me.

In the first, the one who is inclined toward laziness, toward a lack of proper discipline and stewardship, is admonished. He is urged to consider the ant as a model of diligence and proper planning. Why the ant? First of all it declares that the ant shows diligence and industry, not because he is commanded by another to do so, but rather his motivation comes from within. He is self-governed and self-regulated. Unlike the sluggard, he does not give in to self-indulgent feelings. These do not control his actions. He is far sighted in planning for the realities of the future.

He understands that upon which his life truly depends. Thus you have set before you in this little creature a model for the one who in discipline and proper stewardship exercises a wisdom that comes from Me, and a sense of responsibility that takes into count the realities of it’s life. By implication these verses tell you that I have established wisdom and direction within the most seemingly insignificant aspects of My creation.

And the one who would live well is the one who would pay attention and learn even from the little ant. In the case of the scoundrel who practices deception and plots evil there is the warning that he will not escape judgment for his evil. As the first portion is an encouragement toward discipline and responsibility, the second is a warning that those who practice evil and deceit, though they may seem to get away with it for a while, will ultimately be visited with My judgment. And though that judgment seems long in coming to the one who judges, it is merely from a human perspective. Yet when it does come, it comes suddenly, almost as if completely unexpected. And when it is visited, there is no remedy for turning it back. This is both a warning and an encouragement for the righteous man. It is a warning not to be deceived by the seeming delay of judgment upon the wicked. For one thus influenced by the seeming delay might be enticed to think that evil is not judged and thus to fall into evil himself. And also the one who sees the delay may be given over to despair and to lose sight of who I am and how I visit righteous judgment in My own way and in My own time. And you see finally in the listing of those seven things that are detestable to Me not only a warning to avoid that which brings My displeasure, but it is also a reminder of man’s ultimate accountability to Me for both his actions and the attitude of his heart which prompts those actions. And surely if what is hateful to Me becomes truly important, then does not also that which pleases Me become important?

One cannot consider the one without the other, for in the haughty eyes is there not the manifestation of pride? For the lying tongue and false witness is there not the manifestation of deceit? For it is only as My Son declared, that what is in the heart reaches and moves the tongue. And you have that clearly stated when it declares that I hate the heart that devises wicked schemes. So then, in each of these admonitions are you not called to practice that which pleases Me? And surely if your heart is towards Me, you will not only acknowledge that these admonitions are correct, but you will want to embrace them with your whole heart not only to secure your well being, but even more to please Me.

Tags: Judgment, Pleasing Heart, Wickedness