Interesting Options
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
(Psalms 1:6, all verses from the NET)
I know you have struggled, as I have, in the same heart-wrenching moment…what do I want to eat? Where do I want to go for lunch…or supper? What will satisfy my dietary needs? As I move through the mental gymnastics of restaurant signs and dining locations two diverse choices cognitively surface as the best possibilities. It’s going to be that fast-food restaurant’s hamburger or the sit-down meal of Italian cuisine. For some reason the greasy running-down-to-your-elbows burger sounds just as delectable as the milky, creamy Alfredo sauce wonderfully accenting the Penne pasta.
How could that be? How could such opposite entrees both be appealing to satisfy the same person’s appetite for the same meal?
Spiritually, the same kind of oddness may strike some Bible readers when they read the final review of the two contrasting choices of lifestyles in Psalm 1:6. In illustrating the polarizing lifestyles, the Psalmist summarizes the godly person versus an ungodly individual. In the author’s final analysis and assessment the characteristics of the righteous life is one who is known by the LORD while the wicked or ungodly person meets the fate of “shall perish.”
Why didn’t the Psalmist say the righteous person has life, eternal life, to more clearly delineate from the ungodly person’s fate of death or perishing? May not be as striking as the fast-food burger versus the sit-down meal of pasta but I believe we would agree the poetic expressions are not straight-forward.
However, with further biblical inspection, the realization occurs that, “For the LORD knows the way of the righteous…” is what eternal life truly means. Jesus declares, Now this is eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. (John 17:3) For a person to know God and Jesus in an experiential and progressive way signifies one is righteous, godly, and living forever. Paul would be a witness with an exclamatory “Yes!” to that truth. He writes in Philippians 3:8-10,
More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things– indeed, I regard them as dung! – that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness – a righteousness from God that is in fact based on Christ’s faithfulness. My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death… (bold emphasis, mine)
The vital truth of real and genuine life as knowing the LORD underscores the teaching of when the opposite reality is presented. Jesus, teaching what it means to be His follower in Matthew 5-7, often references as the Sermon on the Mount, pointedly speaks in His concluding didactic lecture of those who will look and act as if they are right with God but their hearts are not truly in the righteous relationship with Him:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the kingdom of heaven – only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many powerful deeds in your name?’ Then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23, bold emphasis mine)
Jesus also, in His parable on the ten bridesmaids teaches this spiritual reality. Five of bridesmaids do not bring additional oil to sufficiently navigate the bridegroom’s delay. Their lamps are going out and thus, cannot fulfill their role to light the way for the bridegroom, bride, and wedding party. Thus, in a desperate act leave to go to the market to purchase more oil for their flickering lamps. The five bridesmaids finally return but too late. The wedding party has already come and entered the house to celebrate. Yet, they come to the door to join the festivities but are sharply denied entrance with the reply, I tell you the truth, I do not know you! (Matthew 25:12, bold emphasis mine)
Therefore, the Psalmist in Psalm 1 is right on target! Knowing God is really an accurate description and depiction of one who is a righteous person. This person experiences a righteous, eternal life! While, on the other hand, the opposite of not being known by God—in a vital, relational way—denotes separation and departure which precisely represents the biblical meaning of perishing.
So, the seemingly unequal or not completely contrasting statements in Psalm 1:6 do accurately portray and represent the character and fate of the godly and righteous life and the ungodly and wicked individual.
Does the LORD know you? Do you know the LORD?
Honestly, these questions provide a far better biblical diagnostic inquiry when considering your own eternal life situation in Christ or when helping others process their eternal fate and spiritual life on earth.
In closing, a P.S. (but not a last minute or secondary thought)
Please note there are two options…only two options. These additional Scripture passages will be good to consider when considering this scriptural metaphysic of God’s economy.
God’s Spirit came upon Azariah son of Oded. He met Asa and told him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin! The LORD is with you when you are loyal to him. If you seek him, he will respond to you, but if you reject him, he will reject you.” (2 Chronicles 15:1-2)
I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me – and I in him – bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. (John 15:5)
