Psalm 23:3 English Standard Version (ESV) He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness^{[right paths]} for his name’s sake.

This is a bible truth largely ignored.

Allan Bloom, in The Closing of the American Mind, wrote “To thine own self be true” has become the “life verse” for millions of people who are ignorant of what the Bible says or don’t think it’s true anyway.

At this point the lyrics by Fleetwood Mac come to mind. “Go your own way.” That is exactly the way we act when we refuse to accept God’s plan for a better life. I am speaking about more than an eternal life that is after our natural death. I am referring to the eternal life that begins when we become born again in Christ.

The beginning of eternal life does not start with our natural death, it begins when we are born again. When we are in Christ the paths of righteousness are for our sake because we have taken on this life in Christ. Being a follower of Christ, a disciple, is more than reading a few passages and telling ourselves this is how we should live.

Having this life in Christ is not a reading assignment, homework and a test. That would be like adopting a child then showing them the adoption papers every day and telling them this is the only reason they were in our lives. The adoption relationship, becoming a child of God, is a real loving relationship which is so much more than words on paper.

If we were to rewrite that quote from Hamlet, it might sound more like this; “Discover who you are in Christ!” We became a new creation, the old life is left behind, we become dead to the world and alive in Christ.

Romans 6:4 English Standard Version (ESV) We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

That is a discoverable truth.

John 7:18 English Standard Version (ESV) The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

This passage is a warning to avoid men like this and not to be like this. In the truest biblical sense glory refers to reputation and when used in context with God it is seen in the person of Jesus Christ. We know that Jesus is true. He is the measuring rod of Amos which determines rightness.

We have the Word of the Lord to lead us in righteousness. We have the Holy Spirit to lead us in Truth. We are meant to glorify Jesus Christ, not ourselves. We cannot do that without following His example.

Philippians 2:8 English Standard Version (ESV) And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

That was God becoming man. He humbled Himself. We were born into sin and upon accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts became sons of God. Human humility is not our natural state. Confidence in self-effort is our natural state. We hear comments like “Take pride in your appearance.” We are raised with many messages that bolster self-confidence.

2 Corinthians 10:7 English Standard Version (ESV) Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.

Being in Christ is what matters. How we handle ourselves, our comportment, says more than our words. Saying that we are Christians has to be supported by our actions. That is why some translations of the love chapter 1^st Corinthians 13 interpret love as charity.

Proverbs 3:3 English Standard Version (ESV) Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.