Is there REALLY a benefit doing things God’s way?

Probing Proverbs 3:23–26 

They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,  for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
This passage is looking at what a person gains when they “hang on to “ common sense and discernment, which is one of the bi-products of Wisdom. Too many people think this whole “religion” thing is only about where you live after your body dies. It goes without saying that is the most important question to settle, because your body only makes it at best to 100 years, YOU will go on forever, and if the Scriptures are correct there is only two choices…with God or without Him. Having said that, my point is that if you choose not to live a meager existence that includes a religion, instead opting for an intimate relationship with your Creator, the benefits begin from the moment you enter that relationship.

One of the greatest blessings of having a relationship with God on this side of heaven is the peace that enters your life.

What exactly does this mean? The paths of wisdom are those avenues that not only have knowledge, but also know how to use it. Peace is that sense of calm no matter the circumstances. In every circumstance there is more than one path to take, but the one that uses wisdom is the one with peace. This applies in all cases. Consider: When you are confronted, what does wisdom say to do? Be humble. When attacked, wisdom’s path is love. When disappointed what does wisdom say to do? Thank God. This requires a prayerful approach to life, so even if your reaction must be immediate, inside yourself, you are moving slow and measuring your response. Engrafting God’s Word and communing with Him as a lifestyle will keep us on this path. Even in our most helpless condition – sound asleep – we are still safe! No matter what circumstances occur while we are so vulnerable, we can rest because whatever may come our way must first go through God Almighty! Even if death comes upon us, we need not fear, because even in death God has given us the victory. Disaster is when everything is lost! This can NEVER happen to us because our soul is safe in the palm of God’s hand! To go to sleep knowing the worst thing that can happen is to awake in heaven with Jesus. That’s Security!

The so what? There is really only one question we should ask ourselves at this point. Have we decided to go it alone in life and just hope for the best, or have we decided to entrust our life and our eternity to the God that made us? The Gospel is so clearly from the only Infinite mind in the universe! There are millions of beliefs and religions in this world and every one of them have one thing in common except the Gospel. All other Faiths require your effort and work to attain the eternity they promise, only the Gospel states: DONE! Works still matter, but not for attaining eternal life, that is a gift, paid for by our Creator. The works come after the relationship begins and are an outgrowth and evidence of that relationship. If the Gospel is so simple, why do so many resist it? It takes humility to admit that you are a sinner; you could never live good enough for God, and only what God did can bring you eternal life. That humility is admitting that there is a Sovereign God that should be the “Boss” of our life…problem is we want to be the boss! I still wrestle with that on a regular basis! Just because I am now forgiven, it does not mean I cease being a sinner. 
The difference is, all my sins have been forgiven because I asked Christ to forgive them. I still need to go to my Lord when I sin to ask for forgiveness and the power to repent (change direction). That is the difference between a relationship and fellowship. Now when I sin, my relationship is secure because Christ made me a child of God, but my fellowship is based on my moment to moment interaction with the Father. I am forever and always His child because of Christ, I am not always His friend! When I live in rebellion He may have to chastise me. So if you are saying: “I am not sinless, so I must be in trouble. Yet, if I am willing to admit I fall short of God’s perfection, agree that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, came to this earth, lived a perfect life, offered that life to pay for my sin, died and rose again, and now offers forgiveness of my sins and adoption into God’s family, then by telling Him that (prayer) and placing my complete trust in what Jesus did, asking Him to become my Lord and Savior…at that moment you have just changed the path of your life! Nothing will ever be the same again! There is much more to learn, but it begins with this step. Are you willing to take that step? Give yourself to God; you will never regret it.