Lancaster 5th Street East Church of Christ

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02/01/2025

Contentment Not Complacency
by Wayne Greeson

If there was ever a man who faced trouble and adversity in his life, it was Paul. Paul gave us a small glimpse into some of the circumstances he lived through.

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” (II Corinthians 11:24-27).

What kind of man and what kind attitude would you expect if you met a man who had undergone such hardships? Discontented, hardened, hateful, unhappy, bitter? Despite these horrors and dangers Paul had a much different attitude.

“Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13).

Who among us has undergone the trials Paul endured? Most of us could not say that we have faced even the smallest fraction of what Paul faced and endured. How could a man go through all those things listed above and yet be full of joy, hope, and contentment?

John Fowles, a British novelist, once said, “‘Content’ is a word unknown to life; it is also a word unknown to man.” Shakespeare placed the line in the mouth of Richard the Third, “Now is the winter of our discontent.”

Many people seem to believe that the only people who know contentment are babies sleeping in their mother’s arms and those laid out peacefully for their final rest in the funeral home. Yet, Paul was a man quite familiar with both hardship and contentment. That is certainly something worthy of spending time to understand and find out how we can “learn the secret of being content in any and every situation.”

Paul says his contentment was learned. “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Paul used an interesting word here. In the Greek it means “I have been initiated, I have been instructed, I have been let in on the secret.”

The secret I have been let in on, is the secret of being content in every circumstance that you can imagine. Hungry? I am content. Full? I am content. Poverty? It is all right. Rich? It is OK. It doesn’t matter. I have been let in on the secret. I have been initiated into the greatest secret of the Christian life, how to remain stable all the way through.

Not everybody, not even every Christian knows this secret. It wouldn’t be a secret if everybody knew it. You wouldn’t have to be initiated. Paul said, “I have been let in on a secret. I have come to an understanding of one of the mysteries of life. You don’t have to be always up and down. You don’t have to be subject to discontentment. You don’t have to always be wanting something that you don’t have or have to have things the way they aren’t.”

The secret is that I can grasp hold of life, I can live my life with fulfillment and joy, no matter where I am, what I have or don’t have and I can be content. Not wanting something else, not wistful for what I did have once or what I might have or where I might be, but happy, peaceful and content.

The word “content” is a very strong word. Some translators suggest the word “self-sufficient.” Another synonym is “able.” Paul was saying “I have learned to be able, strong and self-sufficient in all circumstances and all situations, to take what comes without flinching.” Even if today I lost everything, well, I can continue, I can go on and live my life with joy. I won’t dissolve or collapse in a heap in the corner. A contented man is one who enjoys the scenery along the detours.

Most people spend their life in a fantasy world. Discontented people fantasize that they are someone else, that they have something else, that they are somewhere else. Discontentment thrives on the presumption that someone else, something else, somewhere else has to be better than my current circumstances and situation.

“What makes us discontented with our condition is the absurdly exaggerated idea we have of the happiness of others” (French Proverb). It seems to be the American way, the premise for all advertising and many movies and television shows.

The contented person doesn’t fantasize or complain about his or her circumstances. He doesn’t envy things to be other or envy things to be different. He is not a prisoner of the circumstances, he walks triumphantly through them. He is content. He is able. He is sufficient.

The Christian should be the true realist. He is content. He can accept life as it is, not as he wishes it could be, but as it is. He dares to look at life as it really is and embrace it, celebrating his humanity.

A Christian should never be squashed under the circumstances, as if the circumstances were a prison he has gotten into. He is always rejoicing in them. Rejoicing, not meaning happiness, rejoicing is seeing through the happenings to the God of the happenings.

The Bible teaches contentment, not complacency. There is a big difference! Contentment is self-sufficiency regardless of circumstances. Complacency is self-satisfaction without regard to one’s deficiencies. Paul was content in whatever circumstances he found himself, he was never complacent with his spiritual condition or work.

This is evident in the same book of Philippians, just one chapter before, where Paul wrote, “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14).

Be content with what you have, but never complacent with what you are. Always be content, always reaching forward to the goal.

From: The page of the Connersville Church of Christ, Connersville, IN; November 16, 2024

01/26/2025

Think Before You Follow:
Reflecting On The Cost Of Commitment
by William Stewart

Luke records, “Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:25-27).

How amazing it must have been to walk with Jesus. The text above speaks of a great multitude who had such an opportunity. Why did Jesus decide to caution those who followed Him this day about the cost of discipleship? We don’t know, but they would benefit from the warning and so will we.

Jesus Must Come First. It’s important to understand, He is not encouraging folks to hate family members. In Matthew’s parallel, it’s rendered “love less.” If we are going to follow the Lord, we must love Him more than all. Our family cannot come first, nor can our life come first. If we are going to be a Christian, Jesus must come first and foremost.

It’s one thing to say we will put Jesus first, but quite another to do it. Jesus provided a few illustrations to help us understand the degree of commitment needed and the importance of making a sound and wise choice.

Taking Up The Cross. Jesus said we need to take up our cross and follow Him. In the first century, the cross was not a pendant on a necklace or a painting on a wall – it was a tool of death. The only one who would take up a cross was the one who was condemned to die upon it. Thus, the Lord wants us to count ourselves as dead. Hear the words of the apostle Paul, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Later in the same book, Paul would say that we have crucified the flesh with its desires (Galatians 5:24) and that the world is crucified to us, and us to the world (Galatians 6:14). We are not talking about a casual commitment to Christ. Rather, it involves devoting ourselves to serving the Lord in all that we do, and making sure that He is the priority in our lives.

The Parable. Jesus continues to teach the crowd: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it – lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So, likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:28-33).

We make some decisions in life without putting too much thought into it. What shirt will I wear today or what will we eat for breakfast? Which gas station will I fill up at? In the grand scheme of things, these are really unimportant decisions. However, there are other decisions that require plenty of forethought and prayerful consideration. The decision to follow Christ is of that sort.

Discipleship Demands Longevity. Jesus illustrates the necessity of longevity in our decision to follow Him. If a man decides to build a structure, but fails to carefully plan out the cost, he may find himself with a half-done building that cannot be used and which he cannot afford to finish. It then stands as evidence of his lack of foresight and preparation; it shows him to be a fool who failed to properly prepare. As sad as that may be, how much worse when the structure is a man’s faith in Christ? A faith not followed through to the end (I Peter 1:9) is like a discontinued building; it is good for nothing. Likewise a faith left undone or deserted is useless.

Jesus gave another illustration, two kings who are going to battle against each other. The king who has an inferior army will want to look very seriously at whether he is able to participate in the battle, or if he needs to plead with the greater king for conditions of peace. Friend, we are the first king, the one with the smaller army. The Lord is the other king – He is great and mighty and will defeat all who stand against Him. Thus, we cannot remain in our sin and set ourselves against the Lord and be victorious! We need conditions of peace, and thankfully, God has made peace for those who will come to Him in faith and obedience.

Conclusion. Friend, have you counted the cost of serving the Lord? Have you counted the cost of not serving Him? There is a huge cost if we do not serve the Lord – our soul is at stake! Therefore, may we count the cost, build our faith to completion, and submit our lives to the King of kings.

From: The website of the Limestone Church of Christ (https://lookinguntojesus.net/), Kingston, ON; September 24, 2023.

01/19/2025

Different Perspectives
by Andy Sochor

Each person has a different background, upbringing, life experience, education, and so on. Therefore, we approach things with a unique perspective. Because of this, people can look at one event, fact, or piece of information and react very differently. A simple example of this is in the realm of sports. A fan of one team can watch a game with a fan of the opposing team, and though there is just one outcome (one team wins the game), one fan will celebrate while the other is disappointed.

Following the Babylonian captivity, God’s people assembled in Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. When the foundation of the temple was completed, two contradictory reactions were made to it. “Now when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘For He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever.’ And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shout of joy from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away” (Ezra 3:10-13).

This is an example of people viewing an event from different perspectives and reacting accordingly. Those who had never seen the first temple shouted for joy. Those who had seen the first temple and knew from personal experience the difference between the two wept.

This was not a matter of right and wrong. The people who rejoiced were not wrong to do so, nor was it wrong for the ones who wept to react the way they did. Yet the need at that moment was to build the new temple. Their different perspectives were understandable and were even fine to have as long as they did not hinder them from doing the work the Lord wanted them to do.

In this article, we will consider how to apply this principle to the state of the church. We all have different perspectives (new Christian versus mature Christian, new church member versus long-time church member, new to the area versus long-time resident, etc.), yet the truth of God’s word and our responsibility to carry out His will are the same. We need to come together from these different perspectives and work together for the cause of Christ.

Regardless of our perspective (which is shaped by our background, upbringing, life experience, education, and more), there are a few points we need to remember.

The Past Will Always Be “The Past.” We must learn from the past. This is one of the reasons why the Scriptures have been revealed to us. Paul wrote, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). In addition to what we can learn from the word of God, we can also learn from those who have gone on before us. In speaking of the example of Abel, the Hebrew writer said, “Through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

We can model what we do after the past (when appropriate, of course). In all things, we must follow the pattern that has been revealed in the New Testament (cf. II Timothy 1:13). But we can also follow the example of others who have followed this pattern. Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). The Hebrew writer also encouraged his readers to do this: “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith” (Hebrews 13:7).

However, we must not allow the past to hinder our work in the present. The wise man spoke of the age-old tendency to look back to the “good old days” when he said, “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10). Reminiscing is fine, but not when we allow it to hinder our efforts in the present.

The reality is that the church today will never be 100% like the church of the first century because there are no living apostles (cf. Acts 1:21-22), prophets (cf. I Corinthians 13:8-10), or eyewitnesses of Jesus (cf. I Corinthians 15:6). Yet this should not hinder us from carrying out the Lord’s work. We have been given “everything pertaining to life and godliness” (II Peter 1:3) in the Scriptures, which equip us “for every good work” (II Timothy 3:16-17).

In the same way, the church today will not be 100% like the church of previous years either. People move away, fall away, or pass away, and others will be added to our number. Whatever happened in the past (good or bad) should not keep us from doing the Lord’s work now. We need to have the attitude Paul described in his letter to Philippi, in which he talked about “forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead” and “[pressing] on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).

The Present Is What We Have. Since the past (good or bad) is the past, we need to build from where we are.

• Whatever is lacking needs to be added – Paul told Titus that the churches in Crete were “lacking” because they did not have elders to oversee them (Titus 1:5). This will be the case when a church does not have a plurality of men qualified to serve in that capacity. However, the congregation must work to address that situation.

• Whatever is weak needs to be strengthened – The Hebrew writer said, “Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed” (Hebrews 12:12-13). Individually and collectively, we need to grow in the faith and become stronger in Christ.

• Whatever is good needs to be encouraged – The brethren in Thessalonica were commended for their brotherly love, yet Paul told them to “excel still more” (I Thessalonians 4:9-10). If we are acting faithfully in the Lord’s service, we need to continue in that.

• Whatever is wrong needs to be corrected – When the Lord addressed the church in Ephesus, He cited many things they were doing well (Revelation 2:1-3). Yet they also needed to repent because they had “left [their] first love” (Revelation 2:4-5). Anytime we have sin in our lives, we need to repent. If our congregation has been teaching or practicing anything contrary to the Scriptures, we need to correct that.

The past cannot be changed. Therefore, we need to make sure we are doing what is right in the present.

At the same time, we must not forget the past. When we learn how to overcome challenges, we may need to remember how we did it in case a similar situation arises in the future. There may be opportunities we can take advantage of because of our past experiences. There is wisdom to be gained from experience, including learning from our mistakes. This was the wise man’s point when he said, “The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair” (Proverbs 20:29). As we have already noticed, we are to “imitate [the] faith” of those who have gone before us (Hebrews 13:7).

The Future Is Where We Are Headed. We cannot go back or stay still. We either “press on toward the goal” (Philippians 3:14) or we “drift away” from the Lord’s way (Hebrews 2:1). So we must keep moving forward.

• Keep growing as God wants us to grow – Paul wrote, “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). We are to work together to help all of us grow stronger – individually and collectively.

• Keep doing the work He has given us to do – Paul told the brethren in Philippi, “So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 3:12-13). We have a responsibility to obey the Lord and help carry out His work.

• Yet we must never move beyond what He has given us in His word – John warned, “Watch yourselves, that you do not lose what we have accomplished, but that you may receive a full reward. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son” (II John 8-9). If we fail to remain within the bounds of the Scriptures, we will lose our fellowship with God. We are to make progress in our work for the Lord and add to our faith, not progress beyond His word into apostasy.

Moving forward, we need to remain mindful of God. When the people laid the foundation of the temple, they praised God and gave thanks to Him because “He is good, for His lovingkindness is upon Israel forever” (Ezra 3:11).

As we move into the future, we need to “[fix] our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and do all things “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Colossians 3:17).

Conclusion. The past is settled, the present is reality, and the future is inevitable. Although we all approach these from different perspectives, the truth does not change. Therefore, we need to be guided by truth in all that we do.

From: Plain Bible Teaching (https://plainbibleteaching.com); January 1, 2025

01/19/2025

On Discipleship
by Jeremiah Cox

After being moved to compassion by the scene of the weary and scattered multitudes, Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Matthew 9:37-38). It is then that Jesus chose twelve from among His disciples to be His apostles (Matthew 10:1-4). He commissioned them to “preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 10:7). This is often referred to as the “Limited Commission,” as the apostles were told to go only “to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:6). In the text, Jesus gave instruction, and warned His apostles of things they would experience on their journey. The expected hardships, and ways in which the apostles were to deal with them can be applied even to our discipleship today. While this “Limited Commission” was for them, we along with them are given the “Great Commission” (cf. Matthew 28:18-20). When we go into the world preaching the gospel, and stand in the gospel as faithful adherents, we can expect much of what the twelve experienced in their commission to preach to the house of Israel. As such, our mindset and resolve should be the same as what Jesus required of them.

It is imperative that we first understand there will be rejection. This we must understand to avoid discouragement and wasted time. When we bring the gospel to another, we should do so with the optimistic hope that they readily receive the truth, but also with the understanding that they may not. Jesus told the apostles, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet” (Matthew 10:14). We must not “give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast … pearls before swine” (Matthew 7:6). Rather, we should shake off the dust from our feet and move on to the next (cf. Acts 13:46, 51). Jesus also said, “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me” (Matthew 10:40). The converse is true as well. Those who reject the bearers of truth reject the One who authored the truth. We should not take it personally when we are rejected for teaching the truth. Ultimately, it is the Lord who is rejected.

This rejection may come in a form which does not cause much harm to us. Yet, harm may come. Truth provokes those who wish to remain in darkness. Regardless of the messenger, the aversion to the light which some have will cause them to lash out. Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matthew 10:16). We come bringing the gospel of peace, but are often met with bared teeth. We may be opposed by governing authorities (cf. Matthew 10:18), but it could even be our own family who turns against us – “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all for My name’s sake” (Matthew 10:21-22). The Devil is well practiced in his craft and is able to subdue those who should trust us the most. It is out of love we speak the truth, and even take disciplinary measures (cf. I Corinthians 5). However, this does not ensure immediate positive results. Jesus has prepared our minds with the possibility of great hostility between us and those closest to us. This can be a most difficult truth to face. We can take solace in the fact that even Jesus’ brothers were opposed to Him in disbelief (cf. John 7:5). We are not above this – “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master” (Matthew 10:24). Fortunately, the Captain of our salvation can lead the way through these trying situations.

The proclamation of the gospel and submission to its message has never fomented strife. It has never been the cause of another’s pain. It has never produced any negativity. The cause of such trouble has always been the gospel’s antithesis, Satan’s “different gospel” (II Corinthians 11:3-4). The peacemakers who have made it their purpose to uphold Christ’s doctrine in their practice and proclamation of it are often combatted by those who have bought into a fake good news. Its messenger, the one who “transforms himself into an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:14), has deceived many into thinking the truth is the enemy. Therefore, those who defend the truth are persecuted. Jesus lived a life of truth and was severely mistreated. He knew the same awaited His apostles, and those who follow Him today. Such a threat could cause one to forfeit his faith. Jesus encouraged the church of Smyrna saying, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (cf. Revelation 2:10). Our faith should be steadfast in the direst circumstances, even if the end is our own demise. Only then will we attain the promise.

This faith is not spontaneous upon the scene of adversity but is built in preparation before it ever comes. We do this by establishing a fear of God in our lives – “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Our greatest fear should not be the reaction of man to our confession of the Christ, but the judicial wrath of God when Christ denies us before His Father because we denied Him (cf. Matthew 10:32-33). If the former does not exist due to the perceived severity of the latter, we will be able to remain faithful amid external threat.

A truly devoted disciple will keep his faith in the face of such turmoil (cf. Proverbs 24:10). His love for the Lord is overwhelming. Any relationship of love he is involved in pales in comparison to that which he has with his God. Christ is the preeminent one, and therefore has the preeminence in his heart (cf. Colossians 1:15-18). When he is set against his father, mother, children, or any in his household, the love of Christ compels Him to choose the path of righteousness. Jesus said, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37). We must bear the cross of shame, anguish, and reproach as we tread the path which our Savior trod, not even letting family come between us and Him. Our ways should not be dedicated to the preservation of this temporal life, but to the heaping up of treasures for the next (cf. Matthew 10:39). This is discipleship. To this we are called.

From: Seasonal Preaching (https://seasonalpreaching.com); July 26, 2023

01/19/2025

What Does Godly Wisdom Require?
by Doy Moyer

Living in any given culture and time requires that we have the wisdom and will to be what we ought to be for the Lord. Serving the Lord is not just about obeying a few commandments. Rather, it is a lifelong commitment to be faithful, loyal, and true to the end (cf. Revelation 2:10). Developing a heart for wisdom cannot be stressed enough (Proverbs 2:2), and this begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). This wisdom of which we speak is not just any wisdom, but that which is from above (James 3:17), given by God and curated by those who seek for peace and righteousness from Him.

Scripture contains far more wisdom than can be summarized. However, here are a few matters to consider as we all strive to better understand and develop the wisdom from God. Godly wisdom requires, at the least, the following:

1. An understanding of the times in which we live so that we can know what we should do. I Chronicles 12:32 contains this golden statement about certain men of the tribe of Issachar: they were “men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” Each time has its unique features, and living with an understanding of our culture and times is critical so that we may know how we ought to respond. We are not to bury our heads in the proverbial sand, but should keep an eye on culture so we may address the issues of our day and make the wisest decisions in response to it. In a similar vein, Paul wrote, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6).

2. Discernment, the ability to judge between right and wrong. Discernment is a key feature of godly wisdom. “The wise of heart is called discerning” (Proverbs 16:21). This is the ability to judge between good and bad, right and wrong. Without it, we will be awash in a sea of decisions without a rudder. This is so particularly in matters that are not specifically stated. We are told, for example, that the listed works of the flesh include “things like these” (Galatians 5:21). Knowing what these are requires this ability to discern and w**d out the wrong from the right. The Hebrews writers said that the mature “have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14, ESV). This is why learning principles is so vital to godly decision-making as they undergird other choices we make throughout life.

3. The desire to make decisions that glorify God (I Corinthians 10:31). Wisdom connects to our motivations. Why do we do what we do? Are we acting out of desire to glorify and please self, or do we seek to glorify God? If we are to glorify God even in our eating and drinking, then all else that we do ought to be done to His glory as well. If we can’t say we are doing what we do to glorify God, then we should rethink the choices. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

4. The fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of both knowledge and wisdom (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). The fear of God is that reverence and respect for Him that should lead us to submit to His will. Respecting God is foundational in everything else we do. To fear Him and keep His commandments is what this is all about (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Without this respect, there is no wisdom, and without this wisdom, there can be no rock solid foundation for life (cf. Matthew 7:24-27).

5. The willingness to listen and learn (Proverbs 1:5). Fools hate knowledge and wisdom. They think they already know it all, so they don’t need to listen to anyone else, especially if it runs contrary to what they want. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice” (Proverbs 12:15). “Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor” (Proverbs 15:32-33).

We should see that these points are interconnected. Godly wisdom entails them all together, and more. In our search for doing the Lord’s will, never overlook the importance of the role of wisdom. This goes beyond a legalistic, “Can I do this?” to a more pragmatic, “Should I do this?” The latter plays a much larger role in our decision-making than we might recognize. “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). May God help us as we seek the wisdom from above (James 1:5).

From: The author’s page

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44860 5th Street East
Lancaster, CA
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