August 17th – Proverbs 17: Son of FAIL

“A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son, and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.” – Proverbs 17:2

Man, in the church we LOVE our titles, don’t we? People LOVE reveling in the fact that they are a “SON” of the Most High! We are all “FRIENDS” of God; we’re “KING’S KIDS!” We claim and flaunt the benefits of our salvation, secured through the blood and torture of the Lord Jesus yet we regularly forget that there are RESPONSIBILITIES that come with the title! This Proverb reminds us that titles are NOT everything; we must live up to the title bestowed on us through the life and death of the Lord Jesus.

Many Christians want nothing to do with being called a servant of God, they love it when Jesus said:

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” – John 15:15

Woohoo! We’re not servants anymore, we’re friends… right?

“You are my friends IF you do what I command.” – John 15:14

Yikes. You mean we actually have to do something to be called the friends of God?? Ok then, forget the whole friend thing…let’s move on to Sonship!

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Yes, you may be a son, but have you ever thought for two seconds what KIND of son you are? Remember the parable about the father with two sons? One lived as a Prodigal and the other stayed in his father’s house. One brought his father joy, the other grief. Which are you?

“A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the one who bore him.” – Proverbs 17:25

Have you ever stopped to consider the reality that God HIMSELF has anointed and appointed you as His son? This “title” He has bestowed on us comes with a responsibility to BE worthy of such a name.

“He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.” – Proverbs 10:5

When we don’t work when it’s time to work and harvest when it’s time to harvest, we bring disgrace. Our laziness in the things of God comes with a heavy price. God won’t disown you as a son, but you MAY be known as a son that brings disgrace. This word for disgrace means; ashamed, disappointed or delayed. God looks at our lives and wonders, “When will they ever become what I have called them?” Half of the Christian life is a process of becoming what God has called us! We have to participate in the process! Step up and BECOME what God has called you!

LIFE LESSON:

“Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” – Philippians 3:16