Proverbs 11:30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
    and the one who is wise saves lives.

I just checked with my wife, who drew up the reading list for this month, and even she has no idea why she included this Proverbs passage! That said, this verse has been widely used to encourage people in personal evangelism, and in English that seems reasonable. However, the Japanese turns the second half of the verse around and says, “A wise person captures the hearts of people,” seeming to imply that their wisdom is the attractive element. Wisdom can indeed be attractive, and it is indeed wise to draw people into the kingdom of God, so either rendition seems possible. However, there is no variation in the translation of the first half of the verse. Those who live rightly, that is, the righteous, do indeed produce life, in themselves and in others. Some people are just good to be around, and we should strive to be such people. That doesn’t mean being a “squish,” always adapting to whatever anyone wants. Rather, it means accurately reflecting the character of Christ, loving unconditionally without excusing sin. We don’t do that very well on our own! However, that is something the Holy is quite the expert at doing, even through us! The key to true righteousness is to recognize you aren’t, and really can’t be, fully righteous on our own, and so ask God to lead and guide you. If we will do that, then Christ will indeed be formed in us, just as Paul prayed would happen. (Galatians 4:19) That is true righteousness, and brings life all around!

External observers would probably say that I am pretty righteous at this point, but I’ve certainly not always lived like this, and as Paul said, “I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:3-4) I do not depend on my own righteousness, but on that of Jesus Christ, who loved me enough to die for me, taking the penalty for my sins on Himself. Every year at Christmas I tell people that’s why Jesus came, and some of them believe me! We are hearing that several non-Christians are planning to come to our Christmas Eve service, so I’m asking the Holy Spirit to be here in power to open people’s hearts and minds, leading them to repentance and faith for their salvation.

Father, I am constantly aware that I can’t save anyone on my own, and I see so many people who are in need of salvation! I do ask Your mercy on this nation, these people, so that the chains the enemy has wrapped around them may be broken and multitudes pour into Your kingdom, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!