Proverbs 23:17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.
Their houses are larger, their wants are smaller and their grass is greener. To no surprise, though, the “better” has always been on the opposite side of the fence. Life is full of decisions and you are discovering that every fence encountered is unique; some are as huge as your current job, other are as small as the lane you drive home from work in. Possibly the most alluring fence to cross, however, is the boundary between a righteous and sinful lifestyle.
Matthew chapter 5 proclaims, “Blessed are the poor, the gentle, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted.” Yet, nothing more than a quick glance out your living room window will cast large shadows of doubt upon the words of Jesus. It’s difficult not to dwell on the success of those who embody the opposite of Jesus Christ. Why is the “better side of the fence” easier obtained by the richest, harshest, most unrighteous, hardhearted, violent and cruel members of society? What has the fear of the Lord ever benefited you?
Let me remind you that the fear of the Lord has led you to a personal relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. While the world may currently take joy in their fast made riches, I encourage you to never forget the riches you have been given through Jesus Christ. “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling and what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18). Never stop looking forward to the day of His return and the hope of His promise. “Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great” (Matthew 5:12). The world may call to you with the allure of their possessions and temporary joy. They beg of you to join them in their sins, “It isn’t hurting anyone.” Little do they know that, “the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). Our Savior offered His life so that you might live more abundantly (John 10:10), but He never intended for you to reach that abundance by crossing over the fence of unrighteousness. Instead, you are to “seek first His kingdom” and “His righteousness,” only then will “all of these things be given to you.”
It is no wonder that the Proverb teaches us not to allow our hearts to envy sinners. It is only the fear of the Lord that offers true riches and peace. Are you finding it difficult to not lust over the endless pastures of the sinner? I challenge you to no longer look over the fence, but to direct your attention down the fence instead. There will come a time when the Lord will use the fence of unrighteousness to divide His children in two. He will have no regard for earthly pleasures and fleeting greenery, but only distinguish between those who are righteous and those who are not. Which side of the fence will you want to be on then?
Matthew 25:31-34
But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, “Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.