Proverbs 16:6
If
you read this proverb in isolation from the rest of Scripture you would think
that you could earn forgiveness of sins. Or at least that could be drawn from
some translations of the first half of the proverb. But remember that each half
of the proverb helps explain the other half. They are connected.
I
would like to rewrite the proverb to say something like this: people who put
the LORD in His proper place in their lives, live lives of love and
faithfulness thus avoiding evil for the most part. When evil does happen their
sin has been covered by the LORD. He provides payment.
We
can never pay the full penalty for our sin. We can avoid evil in the first
place. We don’t have to live a life where sin abounds. We can live lives of
love and faithfulness. We won’t be perfect. We will still sin. But our attitude
will be one that reflects well on His character and one that will seek earthly
forgiveness and reconciliation when appropriate.
The
key, according to this proverb, is the fear of the LORD. This is not fear in
the sense that you expect a lightning bolt to come from the sky when you sin.
It is not one that causes you to cower in the corner like an errant puppy dog
hiding from the newspaper. This fear is one that draws you in closer, knowing
that He has the power and right to bring judgment, but instead provides mercy
to those who ask. It is fully aware of our unworthiness and His Holiness.
This
fear directs us toward righteousness and away from evil. What direction are you
traveling?