In Proverbs 9:6 it speaks about wisdom having built her house: “Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding.” When you lose sight of the goal, it is very easy to stray from the narrow way. Then you also depart from the way of understanding, from thinking soberly! Samuel said to Israel, “Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart.” 1 Sam. 12:20. Samuel had served the Lord throughout his life, even from when God had called him as a young boy with Eli; therefore God revealed to the entire house of Israel that he was a prophet of the Lord. Ch. 3:19-20. It is the same today: if you are to receive God’s word as a help for people, you must serve God, and not people! In life’s situations it is very easy to seek comfort and help from other people. We notice that this is what Saul did when he was supposed to vanquish the Amalekites; he followed the will of the people. By doing that, he lost the kingdom which God had given him. The people could not return the kingdom to him once God had taken it from him, regardless of how much they wanted to. Now he had fallen prey to human ideas and opinions concerning himself and his ministry, which were worthless before God; therefore God rejected him. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 we read that we can only comfort others with the comfort with which we ourselves have been comforted by God in our circumstances. And when the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our comfort also abounds through Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life! In other words, your personal relationship to God determines whether you reach the goal! When you have the mind of Christ, you are not deceived by people’s empty words concerning yourself, whether they speak well of you or badly! Solomon had received wisdom as a gift, but Jesus says, “A greater than Solomon is here.” Luke 11:31. Wisdom had become Jesus’ life. Therefore the words He spoke proceeded from His life; consequently they were life-giving words that flowed from His life-wisdom! He did not speak like the others; He spoke as One who had authority! He possessed the life He spoke about! By following Jesus, we increasingly partake of this life. Only by obeying the promptings of our head—Jesus—can we proclaim the life of Christ—His virtues. 1 Pet. 2:9. “But [they] first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.” 2 Cor. 8:1-5. We must always remember this! We must always first give ourselves to the Lord! Not to men according to their will, because then it becomes tiring! For example, if you begin to serve God according to the will of men, according to their ideas about how to serve God, you cannot receive God’s grace over your ministry! Not at all! You must serve God according to His will! He must work in you both to will and to do! Phil. 2:13. Then you will be free from people, and you will avoid being in bondage to others. 1 Cor. 7:23. Settle this with yourself: you shall live for Him who died and was resurrected for your sake! You can only make this decision for the rest of your life if the love of Christ compels you. 2 Cor. 5:14-15. Then you will grow up in Christ, even to a perfect man! Eph. 4:13. Then you can serve Christ and be completely free to serve all men just as He prompts you in your heart. Then you are free and thankful for the place you have received in the body. Free from all, you can serve all, and God can let His work succeed through you so that people are won for Him. 1 Cor. 9:19. Let the love of Christ compel you in all of life’s situations! This is your only calling in life! Make your calling and election sure regardless of the situation or the people you meet throughout life, and you will have an abundant entrance into the kingdom of heaven. 2 Pet. 1:10-11.Kåre J. Smith