Proverbs 1:23. If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
Everybody makes mistakes. Everybody is a fool at times. One of the most loving things that God does for his children when we are foolish is that he disciplines us. He reproves (corrects) us. God is a good Heavenly Father who will show us when we are failing to trust and obey his perfect ways. How does God reprove and correct us? Mostly through his words. God says that he makes his word known to us.
As we look at the history redemption throughout the Bible, we might say that God speaks to us in “Two Words”: The law, and the gospel. Law says, if you obey me, you will be blessed, and if you disobey me, then you will be cursed. Gospel says, I have freely blessed you in by my grace so that you can obey.
Todays’ proverb can sound like law, can’t it? IF you turn at my reproof, THEN I will pour out my Spirit to you. Yes, God’s law is God’s reproof. By simply showing us his perfect law he is revealing our imperfect hearts and minds, and correcting the course of our lives. But only IF we turn at God’s reproof.
But today’s proverb isn’t law, it’s gospel. Why? Because the reproof of God is the grace of God. The gospel is just as much reproof as the law. The gospel demands repentance. It demands a turning away from sin and self to follow Christ. Every gospel invitation is also a reproof, a warning against continuing down the path of self-righteousness. Every time someone is told that they need to receive Christ they are being reproved for trusting in a life without Christ.
Turning at reproof, turning to Christ, is not a work of the law, it is an act of faith. That’s why the reward is so great – I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. This is a gospel promise. Everyone who turns to Christ receives the Holy Spirit. Everyone who accepts the reproof of God through the law, rather than trying to keep the law in misguided self-effort, receives knowledge of his words. His Word. The Word. The Logos, Jesus Christ.
Praise God that in Christ we have heard and believed the gospel. Praise God that the Spirit of Christ has been poured out on us because his reproof has caused us to turn to him. His kindness has brought us to repentance (Rom. 2:4), not his condemning law, but his exonerating grace.
Now by God’s Spirit we no longer fear his reproof. Why? Because God’s love is no longer contingent upon our obedience. God’s grace is not earned or deserved. God’s Spirit is a gift of grace, not a reward. When all of this is true (and it is), then we can fearlessly listen to both words of God: his law and his gospel.
We can let the law reprove us without shame. We can let the gospel heal us without demands.
You: Do you tend to hear only God’s law? How can you listen to both words of God?
You in Christ: The gospel says that we are in Christ and have the Spirit reproving us in him. How does union with Christ allow you to receive this reproof without shame?
Christ in you: Is there a specific area of your life where the Spirit of Christ is correcting you? Are you listening? In what way can he empower you to turn from sin?
Pray: Father, your discipline and correction is always because you love me. Your Son and your Spirit are not my reward for repentance, they are my gracious power for repentance. Amen.
To Live is Christ 