Upright-blameless-just-faithful

Upright-Blameless-Just- Faithful
Sept 12th, 2023 by Jim Brookins

In the book of Proverbs, the LORD gives us a way to gain wisdom with instruction.
The ways of the world can give you worldly wisdom; some of it is 'good'. However, don't count on it since it is a temporary success that only ends at the grave.

Since God is the source of wisdom, complete total trust and reverence towards him is the only way to succeed in this life and beyond the grave.

Proverbs 1:3 for receiving instruction in *1 prudent behavior, doing what is right, just, and fair.
How do we know when we are practicing prudent behavior? What is doing right, just, and fair? How do we know? 
Reading further in Proverbs 2:7, 8, & 9 tells you four vital ingredients for success in prudent behavior.

Vrs. 7 He holds success in store for the upright; he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless.

What does it mean to be upright? In terms of prudent behavior, it is when our behavior is perfectly on the level of how God says to behave in the situation right at this moment. 

Are you looking well at where you are going in your thoughts, your words, and your actions?
Everything you think, say, or do should be 100% praise, honor, and glory to God.

That is when you ask yourself, Are my behaviors perpendicular to the plan of the horizon? Are they plumb with God's will? 
Who in the Bible is a good example of being upright? 

In Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eschewed evil.

Number one. Job was 'perfect', as in skilled in his behavior. He was skilled in his ability to uphold God's instruction to do what is right. 
Just as a musician can play the instrument in such perfection as to not miss a note because the instrument is in tune, other musicians of the same skill, along with him, make beautiful music in harmony with each other. 

Philippians 1:6
Be confident of this: that he who began good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

It isn't us doing good; it is through Jesus, our drill master, who keeps us in line.

Like an army full of trained men and women who walk as perfect soldiers in discipline. Trusting the drill master to keep them in line.

Remember Gomer Pyle, who would always march with the troop but with his goofy stride and a smirky smile on his face? The drill master was always rebuking and correcting him to march like the rest of the troop. 

Don't tell me perfect is impossible here on earth. If we read more of God's Word, turn to the New Testament:

Be you therefore perfect, even as your Father, who is in heaven, is perfect. Matthew 5:48.

Besides Job, whose walk was perfect and upright. 
The ultimate example of perfect is God, who is in heaven. Who sent us His Son, a walking, living man showing us His perfection? 
He told his disciples, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father."
Jesus is the perfect statue; perfect likeness; perfect work; a perfect example. Jesus was and is in full communion with God and always doing God's will, not his own will.
Fully informed; completely skilled; as men, perfect in the use of arms; perfect in discipline.

We too must listen to the drill master; trust God and shun and avoid evil. March to a different tune than the world's wisdom, which is unruly and out of line with God's wisdom.

Proverbs 2:8, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of the faithful ones.

As I edit my journals, often the margins need to be made just or made straight. This guards the text by setting the width of the page. As I remain within the margin, the article will be just. That is the same with God; he guards us by setting up guidelines and keeping us within those margins.

Proverbs 2:9 Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path.

*1: Proverbs 22:3
A prudent man foreseeth the evil and hideth himself, but the simple pass on and are punished.
*1: The prudent man looks well to his going. Proverbs 14:8.

How do we overcome evil? By watching for it and staying within the guidelines, we can see in advance that something bad is happening or is on the verge of happening because His word is hidden within. We can know in advance which way is right.