Proverbs 23:23- Truth, Wisdom, Instruction, and Understanding

Learn (buy, possess) the truth and never reject (sale) it. Get wisdom, self-control (instruction), and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

Four things here that we need to, by process, own: 1. truth (discernment, knowing God's view on right and wrong), 2. wisdom (Godly application of knowledge), 3. self-control (discipline, corrective action), and 4. understanding (being able to grasp the meaning). Once we own and get these Spirit-filled qualities, they should never be compromised or forsaken. What a powerful verse of Scripture!

Matthew 22:11-14- Clothed With Christ

[Matthew 22:11-14 NASB] 11 "But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?' And the man was speechless. 13 "Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 "For many are called, but few are chosen."

This remarkable parable of Jesus illustrates for us the need to be clothed with the right things if we are going to partake in the greatest wedding celebration of all time (Revelation 19:7-9). The Lord is primarily teaching us here that we must be clothed with the righteousness of Christ Jesus, the Messiah, by faith (Galatians 3:26-27). He is the only proper outfitter for our eternal clothes. We cannot get into His perfect paradise of Heaven without Him. Trying to get in without the proper clothes will find us as imposters and unworthy of the call of God. For Him to chose us as legitimate guests and inheritors, we must have His Son's redemption through our acceptance of His work on the cross and resurrection. This is what God calls all to, but few actually answer the call and get clothed with the right fitting. Jesus is the only true way to life (John 14:6).

Matthew 20:1-16- Jesus on Grace and Generosity of the Father

"Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with what is my own? Or is your eye envious because I am generous?" (Matthew 20:15)

As Jesus put it, the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. The Father is generous with His grace to the 11th hour, wanting all to come and partake in His generosity. Hopefully this doesn't cripple some of us who have dedicated our entire lives to Christ from early on with the complaining and envious spirit that is portrayed in this passage (Matthew 20:11,15). May we ever live with the enjoyment of the Father's great and extravagant grace and acceptance to all who call upon Him, even at the last moments of this earthly existence.

Psalm 19:12-13 on Confession

Psalm 19:12-13 New Century Version (NCV)

12

People cannot see their own mistakes.

    Forgive me for my secret sins.

13

Keep me from the sins of pride;

    don’t let them rule me.

Then I can be pure

and innocent of the greatest of sins.

Let's make sure we examine ourselves as we pray prayers of confession. Not only do we need to be aware of the sins we disobediently commit against God, but even the ones we may be totally unaware of. Ask the Lord to reveal our secret sins for exposure's sake. Then, we can grow in our self-awareness and humble ourselves before the mighty Hand of God. Notice in these two verses that doing this will keep us "pure," and from getting caught up in the "greatest of sins," in other words, big-time mistakes.