April 21

Apr 21 - Today from Proverbs 21 we look at verse 16
"A man who strays from the path of understanding comes to rest in the company of the dead."

Yesterday we contemplated that fact that a man of understanding draws from the deep waters of his heart to discover purpose and fulfillment in life (20:5). In 1 Corinthians 2 the apostle Paul teaches that it is the mature believer who perseveres in this path of understanding. He refers to it as "God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began". (verse 7). Then he goes on to say, "but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit." (verse 10). The path of understanding can then be defined as being led of the Holy Spirit. "Words taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual men." (verse 13). The question is, does every believer follow this path simply because they confess Christ? Does being a blood-bought saint automatically keep you steadfastly on this path of understanding? The answer is no, and this proverb gives some insight into why.
In 1 Corinthians 3:1 Paul writes, "Brothers," this is evidence that Paul is writing to blood-bought saints in Christ, "I could not address you as spiritually but as worldly -". Other translations use the word carnal in place of worldly. A church full of carnal Christians. What happened? By reading the rest of Paul's letter to this particular congregation, it becomes quite obvious; they strayed from the path of understanding. But were they dead? For all practical purposes, yes they were. The primary definition for death is separation.
They did not lose their salvation, but they were separated from the vital relationship with God from which He gives direction and purpose. They were separated from the higher purposes God had planned for them. It's not that they lacked any spiritual gifts (1:7), it's just that they failed to develop and utilize them for the greater purposes of God. They were no longer drawing from the deep waters. They strayed from the path of understanding. If they continued to go in the direction they were going, they would become a "dead church".
Read 1 Corinthians and you will discover that there were divisions in the church. They factioned off into small groups that became power bases from which they would fight over who was the better teacher and whose influence they should be following. There was moral failure amongst the members of the church and the leaders of the church wouldn't apply proper discipline. People in the church were involved in lawsuits with one another. The women of the church were violating cultural boundaries set by the apostles of the church, bringing a poor witness to the name of Christ. People were offending their fellow saints by not honoring the other’s personal convictions in non-essential matters. Members challenged the authority of the leaders and even questioned their right to be adequately paid for their services and duties. Members abused the sacraments of the church, causing them to become instruments of division rather than unity. People viewed some functions of the body as more important than others and tended to ignore and even disdain what they considered the ‘lesser’ functions. The members considered shows of 'spirituality' as badges of pride while ignoring humility and demonstrations of God's grace and unconditional love. The members made a verbal commitment to support God's work through their giving of an offering, but their lack of action was about to embarrass the cause of Christ.
Corinth was a totally inward-focused church.
The path of understanding is upward and outward-focused. The church that seeks to draw from the deep waters of God's purpose and follow the lead of the Holy Spirit is a church on the path of understanding, and has a reputation of being alive. It is no different for the individual believer. When walking a path, it is one's focus that will determine whether one strays or not.