Proverbs 11:19 As righteousness tends to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. Life and death are objects of universal interest. Life here is life spiritual and eternal. Death is viewed as involving separation and exclusion from God. I. RIGHTEOUSNESS PROVES THE SPIRITUAL LIFE TO BE BEGUN IN OUR SOULS; EVIL SHOWS THAT OUR SOULS ARE STILL DEAD IN SIN. Naturally we are all dead in sin. There is a life which God's life-giving Spirit begins in us. One of the most marked indications of its existence is righteousness developing itself in the whole character and conduct. II. RIGHTEOUSNESS IS CONNECTED WITH THE SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT WHICH MAINTAINS LIFE; EVIL WITH THE NEGLECT OF SUCH NOURISHMENT, WHICH OCCASIONS DEATH. Man's spiritual nature must receive spiritual sustenance. The soul that is quickened to righteousness hungers and thirsts after righteousness, and God bestows upon it what it seeks, so as to nourish it and strengthen it. III. RIGHTEOUSNESS LEADS TO COURSES OF ACTION WHICH PROLONG LIFE; EVIL, FROM ITS VERY NATURE, CONDUCTS TO DEATH. God's ways tend not only to the preservation and prolongation of life in this world, but to the full enjoyment of life for evermore. IV. RIGHTEOUSNESS ASSOCIATES US WITH THOSE WHO ARE ALIVE TO GOD, THUS HELPING TO MAINTAIN LIFE IN THE SOUL; EVIL UNITES US TO THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUALLY DEAD, AND BRINGS US INTO THE SAME STATE WITH THEM. To be the living among the dead is no easy thing. If voluntarily we associate with the dead, imbibing their spirit, and following their ways, we must be conformed in likeness to them. V. RIGHTEOUSNESS ENSURES THE DIVINE PROTECTION, SO THAT LIFE IS GUARDED AND DEFENDED; EVIL INCURS GOD'S WRATH, WHICH IS DEATH. Life is a brittle thing. The great God who gives it is ready, however, to ward off all the dangers which may menace it. His favour is life; His frown is death. VI. RIGHTEOUSNESS CONDUCTS TO LIFE EVERLASTING IN HEAVEN; EVIL TO ETERNAL DEATH IN HELL. The world of glory shall be peopled by the righteous. The evil and unbelieving shall inhabit the world of woe. (Anon.) Parallel Verses KJV: As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.WEB: He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death. |
    |