“The [chosen] path of life leads upward for the wise, That he may keep away from Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) below.”

Proverbs 15:24 AMP

Words to the wise from King Solomon this morning! There is a key word in our verse today, “upward!” This word means to “have a position in which one may observe events more efficiently.” The Word of God leads us to a position of being able to discern the truth through the fog of worldly deception. I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul,

“Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. 3For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, [a]appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4 AMP

Paul reminds us that since we have been “raised to new life,” we are to have a new direction of focus. Do you see it…above! This life offers us only two paths to journey. One leads to God and life, the other leads to hell and eternal suffering! It is a truly a sad thing that many today discount the reality of the fires of judgement and hell. We have become a society of intellectualism and believe that the only reality that exists is our own. Yet, in the midst of all these “facts,” man chooses to deny the reality that they present in order to justify his sinful behavior when they conflict with his fleshly existence! Notice that in the above verse Paul pleaded with them to “Focus habitually on the things above (heavenly things) not on things here below.” Satan’s goal is to get our eyes off the praise of heaven and chase the empty temporal fulfilment of this earthly life. Jesus told His disciples,

“And who of you by worrying can add one [l]hour to [the length of] his life? 28And why are you worried about clothes? See how the lilies and wildflowers of the field grow; they do not labor nor do they spin [wool to make clothing],29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory and splendor dressed himself like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive and green today and tomorrow is [cut and] thrown [as fuel] into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right–the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also.”

Matthew 6:27-33 AMP

Do you see the words spoken there; aim, strive, seek? They are all words of action! In the book of Hebrews, we are told that the one seeking God understands and purposes his journey.

“All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. 14Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. 15And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return. 16But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. For that reason God is not ashamed [of them or] to be called their God [even to be surnamed their God–the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob]; for He has prepared a city for them.”

Hebrews 11:13-16 AMP

Let me encourage you today that hell is as real as heaven! Don’t let the enemy cloud your vision or alter your path! As the Apostle Paul encouraged us,

“Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16Only let us stay true to what we have already attained.”

Philippians 3:12-16 AMP

Have a blessed and purposeful day seeking that which is from above! Pastor Ken