Proverbs 12:26-28 – Eternal Reward
If you’ll look at the footnote to verse 26 you’ll see that another translation of the first part of this verse is, “A righteous man is a guide to his neighbour.” This actually seems to be a better translation of this verse, and it fits in better with the second half of the verse. How are we guides to our neighbours? The way we live our life, the things we speak to them about, should all point them to Jesus Christ, to God’s Word, and to the way God wants them to live. But the wicked man will just confuse and tempt his neighbour through his example and his words to greater sin.
Verse 27 paints a graphic picture of the stupidity of laziness. Even when a man is temporarily roused to action, he quickly lapses back into his old ways. Isn’t this a good example of those who make a profession of faith in Christ in a moment of strong excitement? They begin to live the Christian life and even make some progress. But the continual effort required, the killing that must be done of deep-rooted sinful habits, the difficulties in his new path, the temptation to take life easy and try to live as a Christian later – all these hang as a weight upon him. Instead of resisting the weight through earnest and persevering prayer, he gives up, content to lose Heaven if it costs so much effort. But the Christian who wholeheartedly loves God, treasures his faith, treasures his God, treasures God’s Word, and is willing to work hard to maintain and honour those treasures. Here in verse 28 is the promise of God. Eternal life belongs to the righteous. But who among us is righteous? How can we hope to claim this promise when God’s Word clearly tells us we are sinners? Our hope is in Jesus Christ, through trusting in Him our sins are transferred to Him and His righteousness to us. So when God sees us, we are wrapped in the righteousness of Christ.
Questions
- How can we guide our neighbour?
- How can we be righteous?
Prayer Points
- Give thanks for what Christ has done for us.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.