Pondering Proverbs – Discipline (13)

 

Continuing with Proverbs 15:31 – 33…

 

“He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” Proverbs 15:31.

 

Where do we live? Among whom do we dwell?

 

The psalmist laments, “Too long has my soul had its dwelling with those who hate peace. I am for peace, but when I speak, they are for war.” (Psalm 120:6 – 7). If we “fit in” with the world around us then there is something wrong, for God’s People are called to be in the world but not of the world – we are not called to be chameleons, we are called to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world, a city on a hill (John 17:14 – 16; Matthew 5:13 – 16; Phil. 2:14 – 16). We are not called to leave the world physically, nor are we called to disassociate from the people of the world (John 17:15; 1 Cor. 5:9 – 10) – for how could we be a blessing to others if we have no contact with them?

 

Yet, our hearts and minds and souls are called to live elsewhere, in the light of Christ, in the holiness of our Father, in the life of the Holy Spirit. Our pilgrimage on this earth, in the Trinity and with one another, includes both affirmation and life-giving reproof – reproof which will keep us safe, reproof which will nurture our growth, reproof which will encourage, reproof which is a constant reminder of our God’s love and care for us.

 

When we listen to God’s life-giving reproof, and to listen in this context includes responding in obedience, we will live among the wise – that is, we will share life with others who are also listening to God’s life-giving reproof, some of whom are well – advanced in pilgrimage, some of whom are our peers, and some of whom may just be venturing out on this great adventure in Christ. In the “communion of saints” this includes those who have gone well before us in time and space; Abraham, Noah, David, Peter, Paul, Ruth, Huldah, Deborah; as well as Augustine, Athanasius, Pusey, Fenelon, Murray, Edwards, Vos…and so many others, so many many others.

 

The wise are not interested in entertaining us, or in emotionally manipulating us, or in getting us to enroll in Christian playschool, or even in inducing us to buy into the latest and greatest understanding or revelation that will make us feel that we have special knowledge and insight – the wise are seeking Jesus Christ, to know Him with all that they are and to know Him in koinonia with their brothers and sisters. The wise are seeking to love God with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength; and to love their neighbor as themselves (Mark 12:28 – 31).

 

The wise know the life – giving reproof as a way of life…and they rejoice in it, even when it hurts, even when it is painfully convicting – which it often is. The wise do not offer us cotton candy to induce us to join them, the wise offer the Christ of the Cross and the Cross of Christ. The wise have a passion for Jesus that burns the chaff away, that purges the dross, that melts the bonds of this world – that makes sin look foolish and stupid as well as dark and dangerous.

 

And when we dwell among the wise we will never live alone, for that great cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) ever surrounds us, led and guided by “the great Shepherd of the sheep” (Hebrews 13:20).

 

O Lord Jesus, may my ear hear and respond to Your life-giving reproof today; may I grow in You and with my brothers and sisters. Teach us, dear Lord Jesus, to dwell among those who are wise in You.