I like this verse. I like this verse a lot!
People who try hard to do good and be faithful will find life, goodness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 ERV
Why do people say, “God’s word is alive and active”? First of all, because the bible says so.
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Hebrew 4:12
Secondly, because it is! I experience it…daily. Verses, chapters, parables, and stories that we’ve read our entire lives, can be reread repeatedly, and speak to us in a fresh way each time. Depending on the circumstances you are in, God has a way of making His breathed words applicable to our daily lives. Can I get an “AMEN”?
All scripture is God-breathed. It is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, and for training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16
Let’s take a look at Proverbs 21:21 again. This time in the NIV.
Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity, and honor.
Notice the word choices used in both versions above:
Try and pursue.
Do good and righteousness.
Faithful and love.
Goodness and prosperity.
All intertwine. All mean the same.
When you try to do something, that proves that you are taking an active role in whatever you are pursuing. That “something” here is being good/righteousness. Yes, doing the right thing isn’t an automatic, characteristic we all display all the time. We must strive to do so.
We are all born with sin.
For I was born a sinner. Yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. Psalm 51:5
“…the cravings of our sinful nature…” Ephesians 2:3
Due to that fact, we MUST pursue righteousness.
(Pause Button…we were born of Adam, so we inherit his sin nature; BUT…when we are born again in Christ, we inherit a new nature! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2Corinthisan 5:17…not push play.)
Friend, I want to encourage, actually implore, you to strive for goodness. Seek God first (Matthew 6:33). He is Goodness. Seek and love Him with ALL your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).
I’ve found that when I put and seek God to be first in my life, everything will be okay. Even those challenging times. To God be the glory in the end.
“Dear Lord, help me to strive to be more like You, every moment of every day. Fill me with your love and faithfulness, so that I will have abundant life and integrity. Amen.”
Blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
Layla enjoyed some bible study time with me in the porch of “Tim’s Shack”.