The Daily Jewel

by  Pastor J.T. Carnell,  McAester, OK

“Which Way Do I Go?” 

“Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands...”

– Proverbs 7:1 (NLT)

Chapter seven picks up where chapter’s one through six end…with the “teacher” reminding the listener/reader to not only pay close attention to what is being said—but to follow his advice with purpose and passion!  The word “treasure” is a great passion word which denotes a strong adherence to.

One of the current popular television stations has been running a commercial highlighting some of the “characters” that appear on their various shows.  Some of you are probably familiar with some of their current shows:  “White Collar,” “Psych,” “Burn Notice,” “Covert Affairs” and “Royal Pains.”  Each of these shows reach a rather wide audience making the USA Network a major player in the television market.  In the commercial each of the characters describes something about themselves in real life:  One says, “I’m an adoptive dad,” another says “I’m Jewish.”  One of the individuals describes himself as a “Christian,” and then another says, “I believe in many paths to God.” I believe the purpose of the commercial is to show how diverse we all are, to accept that diversity and learn to live in harmony with one another!  In theory—it’s sweet.  In practice—it won’t happen!

It’s not that I have a problem accepting people because I believe there is Scriptural mandate to do that!  (See Romans 12).  Here’s the problem:  To accept me means accepting what I believe (my Christian beliefs) and if that runs in opposition to what another believes we just might have a slight problem and it has to do with (not who) but what I accept into my life.  It’s kind of hard to walk hand-in-hand when you are going in opposite directions!  (I thought of that one all by myself!)

 How often have we heard that phrase, “many paths to God?”  It is a phrase used most often in Eastern religions which has little to do with the “Creator-God,” (the One we know as Jehovah) as it does with the belief that we ourselves can become as god. 

If, as is asserted, there are many paths to God, then anything in a book we read is as good as reading the bible.  Anything we worship is as good as worshiping God.  Jesus was a good teacher/preacher/prophet and His words were as good as any that have come along, but others have some good things to say as well.   

Solomon declares:  “Follow my advice…”  When Jesus met Peter and Andrew, James and John, He did not say to them:  “If you want to know about Me, text me.  Email Me…send Me a ‘friend’ request…follow Me on Twitter…”  No!  He said, “Follow Me!”  The truth of the matter is you cannot follow sitting down…standing still…or going the opposite direction!  To follow someone you have to go in the direction they are going, right behind them. 

He then follows that up with, “…always treasure my commands.”  My interpretation: Follow as close as possible!  Be no more than one step behind.  Have you ever tried following someone in your car only to have a car (or two) get in between you and the one you are following?  Or if you get too far back the one you are trying to watch goes through a yellow light and you get stuck at the red light?  Your only hope is that the one you are following waits for you for if not reaching your wanted destination becomes increasingly difficult.

The USA Network (like every network) wants me to watch their programs so they offer up a variety of “characters” and story lines to grab my attention.  The world is no different!  It offers up a variety of very appealing “programs” that fit whatever appetite one might have.

If you are not passionately following what God has prescribed for your soul then don’t be surprised if you find yourself on a path that does not lead to holiness—and make no mistake about it, there is only one way to God and that is by following Christ!