Wisdom sees life and death as a whole realm, a domain of human existence that continues even beyond the day of our physical death.
This is because the outcome of the path one follows will either lead a person into heaven and God’s presence or in the place of Sheol or Hell.
Ever since sin entered into the human race, mankind has been living in the realm and domain of spiritual and physical death.
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people... (Romans 5:12)
Death also includes emptiness, lust, greed, hatred, bitterness, divisive speech, envy, and fear. And there is no possible way we could deliver ourselves out of death’s realm without God’s intervention (Ephesians 2:1-4).
The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death (Proverbs 12:28).
What Solomon has been saying throughout the first 12 chapters is:
The way of life is clear
The way of life is a choice
The way of life is the cross
The Way Of Life Is Clear
Christ died so you and I could have life. The moment you and I placed our faith in Christ, we were saved, sealed by His Spirit, and placed into His royal family - forgiven and accepted forever. Nothing can change that verdict and our position in Christ.
But salvation goes far beyond a moment in time. God wants us to experience what it means to live in our new relationship with Jesus now. The word “life” not only refers to the ultimate outcome, which is eternal life,
but life refers to the daily outcome of choosing to consistently walk in a relationship with God.
What is that daily outcome? It is stability, peace, hope, and rest because your confidence and trust is in God. This stability, peace, and rest is not a default mode, nor does it happen overnight, it is a process Proverbs 16:17 says,
The path that the godly choose to take leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe (Proverbs 16:17).
God gives us deliberate road signs through His Word so you can’t miss the path of life.
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life, (Proverbs 6:23)
Though we are God’s children and sin and death are no longer our master, there are times when we are tempted to go back to the old ways in our search for life - the quick fix, something to fill the void. There are times when we are fooled into thinking we know a better way than God’s.
Solomon said:
There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death (Proverbs 14:12, NIV).
The Way Of Life Is A Choice
Proverb 2:9-13 tells us that when you seek for God’s wisdom and ways,
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. 12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked people, from people whose words are perverse, 13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways (Proverb 2:9-13).
When Jeremiah, the prophet suffered humiliation and rejection from his fellow Jews, witnessed incredible evil, corruption, and injustice during the Babylonian exile, he cried out to God in Lamentations 3:19-24, NIV).
Jeremiah had to make a choice to either focus on the horrible situation itself, to be buried in self-pity and bitterness, or to focus on God’s faithful character, his promises and His enduring love.
He chose the way of life and God healed him, filling his heart with mercy, compassion, stability, peace, hope and rest.
We are told to wake up and allow Christ’s light to shine in every area of our lives.
The Way Of Life Is The Cross
The apostle Paul said,
I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20, AMP).
Paul was saying that the process of dying to self is identifying with Christ’s death. “Dying to self” doesn’t mean a person becomes inactive or insensible, it means that he or she no longer chooses to give into their old ways but yields themselves to Christ’s life.
Instead of living for ourselves and our own selfish pleasure, we walk in the path of life.
Death to self is true freedom and God’s Word and His Spirit lead us into this realm of life.
Remember, just as false and unkind words have the power to “go viral” so does the gospel of Christ have the power to “go viral” and work its way through a life, a community, or a whole society to bring reconciliation with God and man.
Every day we need to choose which realm we will live in -
“so this day choose life.”
