It was an honor to
speak at the PORTA High School Baccalaureate service this past Sunday night. Of
course, having a son in this graduating class of 2018 is no small factor in my
feelings for these young men and women, but to say that I’m proud of them and
excited for what their futures hold is an understatement.
I want to take a few
lines here to restate a few highlights from that message, and whether you’re
graduating this Friday night or celebrating your 60th class reunion,
perhaps you’ll be encouraged and challenged, as well.
The message taken
from Proverbs 3:1-6 was entitled, “Walking in the Way of Wisdom.” This section
of Scripture reads like a letter from a father to his son, perhaps as he’s
growing into greater responsibilities of manhood, or maybe graduating from one
phase of his life into the next.
It’s his plea for his
son to live life according to godly, biblical wisdom – in the midst of a foolish
world which often thinks we can get along just fine without God, writing our
own rules and doing whatever seems right at the time in our own eyes. Godly
wisdom throughout Proverbs is well described as “skill in the art of right living.”
This wisdom finds
practical application in every area of everyday life. Raising your children right.
Being a better spouse. Honoring your parents. Making good decisions, developing
a strong work ethic, and using your time productively. Avoiding the traps of
sexual immorality, violent and greedy company, and laziness. Learning
self-control, humility, integrity. Caring for the poor, seeking justice, and striving
for peace.
And when you take
these truths to heart and live them out, you’ll be making an impact for good in
your homes, your schools, your workplaces, your communities, and your world. A
life lived walking in the way of wisdom is a happy life, a useful life, a
purposeful life, and a satisfying life. And it’s available to all who will
pursue it.
Of course, we need
to understand the key to accessing such wisdom, which Proverbs 1:7 lays out
plainly: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise
wisdom and instruction.” So the first step is having a healthy and holy fear of
the Lord, which means developing a sense of awe and reverence as we rightly
recognize His holiness, His majesty, His power, and His glory.
The Bible says, too,
that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are found in Christ Jesus (Colossians
2:3), and when you discover your treasure in Him, you’ve found the greatest joy
known to man. The theme of Scripture reveals to us that Jesus is the Son of God
who came into this world to save sinners – rescuing us from sin, death, and
hell, and bringing us everlasting life in His Kingdom.
What could bring
greater joy than knowing that in Christ our sins are forgiven and we’re made
righteous in Him – because He paid our penalty on the cross? What could bring
greater hope for better things to come than knowing that our eternal home is in
heaven – because He rose from the grave on the third day? “For the wages of sin
is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
(Romans 6:23).
If a house is not
built on a solid foundation, then it doesn’t matter how awesome the floor plan
is, nor how expensive the furniture in it, nor how impressed your friends are
with your interior decorating – that house will not withstand the trials and
storms that will surely come. The foundation is essential. Walking in the way
of wisdom lays a solid foundation while living foolishly results in pain and
destruction.
Let this truth soak
in first, and next week I’ll share the two take-home assignments from this
passage that will keep you walking in the way of wisdom.
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