Attitude of the Heart

DEVOTION
PROVERBS
ATTITUDE OF THE HEART
Prov 14:34
34 Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a disgrace to any people.
NIV
When an entire nation is mention it would seem this would imply the disposition of the governing body element toward it’s people or the whole populations disposition toward each other or toward other nations. In either case this righteousness carries in the original language an implication of showing acts of mercy. This mercy cannot of course make atonement for sin, but it is pleasing in the eyes of God. Whole nations can be pleasing in God’s sight for their acts of righteousness toward foreign nations. Was this all about Israel and its attitude toward the gentiles? I have to wonder when Paul argues who is true Israel. It is not made up of those circumcised of the flesh, but of those circumcised of the heart. Those true believers in Jesus Christ comprise the nation of Israel and all un-believers are the gentiles. How does the body of Christ respond to the unsaved? Do believers have contempt or feel mercy toward those who do not know God? Even if mistreated or looked down upon, mocked or scoffed, do believers, the true nation of Israel, respond with acts of righteousness? Could not an improper response, or even attitude, be this sin which disgraces believers in the sight of God? True, the church preaches a welcome to un-believers. But does the body of Christ truly reach out with acts of righteousness toward the unsaved? Do we look for every opportunity to share the good news, to show mercy, bringing them the opportunity to escape the horrible death which awaits them? Ignoring them, simply accepting them as unsaved sinners or putting up with their position toward God is not showing mercy, but perhaps it is sin. Does the attitude of believers toward the unsaved disgrace the community of Israel? Is there a feeling of superiority exist? Do believers actually feel they are better than un-believers? Do they really think it is only the unsaved that sin against God? Righteousness does not mean the end of sin, but only a rendering of forgiveness by God. Righteous acts toward the enemy of God truly would exalt the body of believers, but unrighteous acts or attitudes would bring disgrace on them as well. Choose carefully the attitude of the heart.