I Am the Lord Who Exercises Lovingkindness,
Justice and Righteousness on Earth!

"Thus says the Lord; 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not the rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth. For I delight in these things,' declares the Lord." (1)

Of what does the wise man have to boast? Does he save his own soul? "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, For it is written, 'He catches the wise in their own craftiness'; and again, 'The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.' Therefore let no one boast in men." (2)

Does the mighty man save himself? " 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of Hosts." (3)

Does the rich man fare any better? "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" (4)

What are the benefits of knowing and understanding the Lord? Consider this, "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (5) "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (6)

Jesus shared a vital lesson on the difference between those who profess to know Him and those who truly know Him. "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

"Therefore whoever hears these saying of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall." (7)

Understanding and knowing God, and living according to His values, is vital in regard to enjoying a truly successful life here and now, and preparing for eternal life to come. Living according to God's values of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, being kind and respectful to all people, and doing what is just and right is not natural to most of us. Can you imagine what a difference it would make in this world if everyone lived according to these values? There would be no terror, no killing, lying, cheating or taking advantage of one another. What a different world this would be.

"Where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?... Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." (8) (To be continued)

1. Jeremiah 9:23, 24. (NASB)
2. 1 Corinthians 3:19-21.
3. Zechariah 4:6.
4. Mark 8:36.
5. John 17:3.
6. Acts 4:12.
7. Matthew 7:21-27.
8. Job 28:12, 28.