Wisdom

Wisdom. This is a subject that has become more and more important to me as I continue to pursue God (by His grace). Why wisdom, you ask? Well, I think that wisdom is where "the rubber meets the road." Too often I have been preoccupied with lofty theological notions, only to unwittingly miss out on the true godliness that comes by wisdom. To be certain, God doesn't care about how "smart" we are or how much knowledge we possess. As Paul wrote, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" (1 Cor. 8:1b). Indeed, it is a good thing that our success or failure in pleasing God is not based upon our knowledge (for if it were so, most of us would utterly fail). I can think of countless situations where my knowledge (no matter how extensive) would have been of no use in solving a particular problem. This is why we need wisdom! Personally, I know I've made many a foolish decision because I did not highly regard this gift of God. The Bible says of wisdom:

"How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding. For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast" (Prov. 2:13-18).

As can be seen above, there are a number of great benefits to wisdom! Alas, how often we trade this feast for the scraps under the table. Praise God that He gives the greater grace!

Some Observations of Luke 3

This morning I read Luke 3, and I wanted to share a few observations (hopefully, without coming across as didactic).

These words were spoken by John the Baptist, who was the forerunner for Christ.

" You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire" (Luke 3:7-9).

• It is more important to be godly than come from a godly heritage (which today would be having Christian parents, going to church, Bible studies, etc.).
• The godly response to having one's heart convicted is to have true religion (e.g. give to those who don't have as much). This is the same idea that can be found in James 1:26-27.

"I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Luke 3:16-17).

• God will gather the wheat (including the chaff) and then He will burn the chaff. The implication is that there will be those with the wheat whose end will be fire. Compare this with Matthew 25: 31-46.

"When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased'" (Luke 3:21-22).

• God finds the greatest pleasure in His Son. This is what makes the principle of John 3:16 so amazing. Romans 5:8 further testifies to the amazing love of God toward the world: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."