Proverbs 13:13

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about obeying all of God’s commandments:

Proverb 13:13 (NASB)

The one who despises the word will be in debt to it, But the one who fears the commandment will be rewarded.

Proverbs 13:13 (ESV)

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,

but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.

The "commandment" or "law" or "Word" of the Lord has two requirements everyone should know. These two things should be taught to everyone upon birth. The instruction manual that comes with children ought to include these two warnings: 1) The Law requires Perfection - you have to keep the whole law (all of God's word) if you want to please God. (You can't pick and choose). 2) If you don't keep the law in perfection there is Condemnation awaiting. Failure to obey the whole law means you are responsible to pay the consequences of that disobedience and the consequence is death. So, the above proverb tells us the simply truth of life: If you despise the law you have to pay its consequences. If you obey the law you get its blessing. Of course, no one can keep the entire law to perfection, so we all fall under the condemnation consequence side. That is why we need Christ. Christ is the fulfillment of the law. When we put our faith in Christ He meets the requirements of both parts: He perfectly kept the law and paid for our consequences in death and ressurection. We will receive the reward of the Word based upon His keeping the perfection of it.

When we think of God's Word and how we respond to it, we seldom think of being "in debt" to it.   Most people who reject God's Word think that rejection means they are not under obligation to the Word.   However, God's Word has authority over us, no matter what we feel about it or have faith in it.   We are subject to God's Word and all of its commands.  When we choose to not believe in God's Word or disobey God's Word, we are still in debt to it.  We will serve God's Word.   It just matters if we do so in the state of rejection or in the state of belief.  Those who believe God's Word are those who "fear" it.   The Word "fear" here is the word that we use in "fear of The Lord" (which is the beginning of wisdom).   Fearing God's Word is rewarded by God.  The rewards you receive are the rewards God's Word declares for us.   So, again, our approach to God's Word determines our outcomes in life.    Outcomes are not based upon our efforts, profession, skills, talents or passions.   We should view outcomes in life that are based totally on how we respond to God's Word.   We are either in debt to it or it will give us rewards.