31 Day Challenge - Day 15

Correction is all about learning! We either learn or we repeat that lesson, that learning process until we get it. I love the fact that God is not finished with us yet and that He's able to complete the good work He's started in us, (Phil. 1:6). Otherwise, where would we be?

Proverbs 15 states that, "Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined: whoever hates correction will die", (Prov. 15:10). Note that it does not say whoever abandons the right path will be severely  punished - it says severely disciplined. God disciplines those whom He loves (Prov. 3:12; Heb. 12:6; Rev. 3:19), and He loves us too much to leave us where we are, (thank you Lord), but takes us from glory to glory -  ". . . we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image (His image) from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18) (KJV).

The message of Proverbs 15 is directed to God's people, those who have been on the right path at one time or another. He's giving us wisdom and a warning, letting us know that if we hate correction we will surely die. Why would we hate correction? Because we want to do what we want to do when we want to do it. And if we hate His correction, we won't follow what He says to do.

Even in this Proverb, God is tenderly chastising us. He gives us the facts about wisdom and alerts us to the consequences of not seeking it, not listening to it and ultimately, not obeying it. He's so gently informs us that "the lips of the wise give good advice" (15:7) and "whoever learns from correction is wise" (15:5). That sounds like something we should want and things we should want to do, but sometimes it's not. A wise person, from what we know about wisdom, would want knowledge. Proverbs 15:14 states it this way:  "a wise person is hungry for knowledge". But mockers (scorners) those people that change the truth to fit their desires, don't even want to be around wise people. It's too convicting; too bright!

We know "the path of life leads upward for the wise: they leave the grave (Sheol) behind," (15:24). "If you listen to to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise," (15:31) and, "If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding," (15:32). Why would we not want to live a life of peace with God and avoid hell? Why would we not want to grow in understanding and humility (15:33)? Who can say? The bottom line though, is we have to choose what we want. We each have to make that decision for ourselves and then follow through with it. Joshua 24:13 tells us to "Choose today whom you will serve". God and His wisdom, which leads to life everlasting or death. It really is that simple!