For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 1Pet 2:19
Here is a principle of righteousness that is not popular with those enamored of the world, but that spiritual men understand. The principle of suffering.
It should not come as a surprise. Our LORD said that if they persecuted Him, they would persecute us (John 15:20). The world had no love for Jesus, so it will not love us!
There will come times in a godly man's life when he will suffer for doing righteousness. And as Peter indicated, that is a blessed situation to be in. Then you truly are doing something to take note of! It is at that point that you truly are living like Christ.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Wisdom Principles - Prudence
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. Pro 22:3, 27:12
It may seem simple, but prudence is a principle of wisdom. And it is an important principle, as the LORD gives this verse, word for word, in two places in Proverbs!
The wise man looks ahead and considers a situation. He examines it from all angles. He is risk adverse, he doesn't like to take unnecessary risks. He is especially careful to note any tendencies or trends in a course of action that would lead to danger or harm, whether personal, spiritual, financial, or professional.
When a wise man sees danger ahead, he hides himself. He takes out insurance, reduces spending and increases saving, takes a different path, changes jobs, where he lives, who he associates with and what he says publicly. Whatever is reasonable to keep himself, his family and his assets safe, he does.
If the winds of change blow against him, he takes a low profile and does not advertise his convictions. Elijah thought he was the only righteous man in Israel in his day. But the LORD told him that there were 7,000 men who had not bowed the knee to Baal. These were wise men who knew that with a Baal worshiper in power, you did not advertise the fact that you worshiped Jehovah!
Let us learn and practice the principles of wisdom. They will bless our lives and keep us safe!
It may seem simple, but prudence is a principle of wisdom. And it is an important principle, as the LORD gives this verse, word for word, in two places in Proverbs!
The wise man looks ahead and considers a situation. He examines it from all angles. He is risk adverse, he doesn't like to take unnecessary risks. He is especially careful to note any tendencies or trends in a course of action that would lead to danger or harm, whether personal, spiritual, financial, or professional.
When a wise man sees danger ahead, he hides himself. He takes out insurance, reduces spending and increases saving, takes a different path, changes jobs, where he lives, who he associates with and what he says publicly. Whatever is reasonable to keep himself, his family and his assets safe, he does.
If the winds of change blow against him, he takes a low profile and does not advertise his convictions. Elijah thought he was the only righteous man in Israel in his day. But the LORD told him that there were 7,000 men who had not bowed the knee to Baal. These were wise men who knew that with a Baal worshiper in power, you did not advertise the fact that you worshiped Jehovah!
Let us learn and practice the principles of wisdom. They will bless our lives and keep us safe!
Wisdom Principles - Offense
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
1Cor 10:32
Wisdom: maintaining favor with God and man. A simple but overlooked principle of wisdom in a macho culture is offense.
Here Paul instructs the believers in Corinth concerning Christian libery. He explains that our liberty is to be bounded by the consideration of others. We should strive to glorify God in all our endeavors and seek the good of others in the process. As such, we should strive to live in a way that avoids offending others.
This is obviously NOT an absolute guide! If we are living as Christians there are many things which we will do or not do as matters of righteousness. Sinful men will ridicule and hate us for our righteous lifestyle. They hated Jesus Christ and all He did was feed the hungry, heal the sick, give sight to the blind and raise the dead! So we will cause offense to some. But in general, we should be living in a way that does not intentionally offend those around us.
God has given us richly all things to enjoy. All lawful pleasures are ours. But we need to guard the manner and timing of the enjoyment of those good things to avoid offending others. This is the principle of offense. May we glorify our Father in heaven by being wise men and avoiding unnecessary offenses.
1Cor 10:32
Wisdom: maintaining favor with God and man. A simple but overlooked principle of wisdom in a macho culture is offense.
Here Paul instructs the believers in Corinth concerning Christian libery. He explains that our liberty is to be bounded by the consideration of others. We should strive to glorify God in all our endeavors and seek the good of others in the process. As such, we should strive to live in a way that avoids offending others.
This is obviously NOT an absolute guide! If we are living as Christians there are many things which we will do or not do as matters of righteousness. Sinful men will ridicule and hate us for our righteous lifestyle. They hated Jesus Christ and all He did was feed the hungry, heal the sick, give sight to the blind and raise the dead! So we will cause offense to some. But in general, we should be living in a way that does not intentionally offend those around us.
God has given us richly all things to enjoy. All lawful pleasures are ours. But we need to guard the manner and timing of the enjoyment of those good things to avoid offending others. This is the principle of offense. May we glorify our Father in heaven by being wise men and avoiding unnecessary offenses.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Wisdom Principles - Specificity
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? Matt 12:5
Some of the principles of wisdom are what we are considering. How can I make decisions that will keep me in favor with God and man in all circumstances? Today's principle is specificity. A specific instruction overrides a general rule or law.
Here is an example from our Lord's ministry that we used earlier, but this time a different lesson is taught. The disciples picking corn on the sabbath day and eating it is the situation. The Pharisees are questioning their doing work on the sabbath day. And our Lord uses a different principle to correct the Pharisees with and defend His disciples.
As we all know, no work was to be done on the sabbath day. But sacrifices were to be brought to the Tabernacle and later the Temple daily. Tending to the fire on the altar, cutting up the meat for sacrifices, removing ashes from the fire, burning the portions of the animals not used in the sacifice were all hard work! Yet the priests were required to do that work. So it was understood that they were excepted from profaning the sabbath for the work which they were doing!
The specific law for the priests to offer up all of the sacrifices of the nation superceded the general law of no work on the sabbath. The specific law has precedence over a general law. Thank you, LORD, for your wisdom!
Some of the principles of wisdom are what we are considering. How can I make decisions that will keep me in favor with God and man in all circumstances? Today's principle is specificity. A specific instruction overrides a general rule or law.
Here is an example from our Lord's ministry that we used earlier, but this time a different lesson is taught. The disciples picking corn on the sabbath day and eating it is the situation. The Pharisees are questioning their doing work on the sabbath day. And our Lord uses a different principle to correct the Pharisees with and defend His disciples.
As we all know, no work was to be done on the sabbath day. But sacrifices were to be brought to the Tabernacle and later the Temple daily. Tending to the fire on the altar, cutting up the meat for sacrifices, removing ashes from the fire, burning the portions of the animals not used in the sacifice were all hard work! Yet the priests were required to do that work. So it was understood that they were excepted from profaning the sabbath for the work which they were doing!
The specific law for the priests to offer up all of the sacrifices of the nation superceded the general law of no work on the sabbath. The specific law has precedence over a general law. Thank you, LORD, for your wisdom!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Wisdom Principles - Intent
And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
Mark 2:27
Wisdom, knowing what is the proper thing to do in any situation. The Bible is our guide to wisdom. It shows us many principles to guide us in determining what is the right thing to do.
What appears on the surface is not necessarily all there is to a thing. An iceberg is 90% under the water. And so it is with some of God's laws. We need to go deeper than the surface to determine what is the intent of that law.
The context to this verse is Jesus and His disciples using the materiality concept we discussed yesterday. They were traveling down the road and going through a farmer's field, picking ears of corn to eat as they went because they were hungry (vs. 23). The Pharisees called them into question on this, not because they were taking corn from someone's field, for they knew Deuteronomy 23, but because they were doing this on the Sabbath day (vs. 24). And Moses' law said that Israelites were not to work on the Sabbath day.
Jesus comes right back and pointed to a situation where David, running for his life from Saul's men sent to kill him, took the Shew Bread from the Tabernacle for he and his men to eat. The law of Moses said that the Shew Bread was only for the priests to eat. David was from Judah's tribe, not Levi's, so he could not eat of it! But David knew that the saving of life was more important than keeping ceremonial restrictions (see 1Sam 21:3-6). And based on that example, Jesus applied the same reasoning to declare that the Sabbath had been instituted for man's good and blessing. So doing necessary work to eat on the Sabbath was acceptable in God's sight.
More to the point, the LORD had stated the purpose of the Sabbath when He gave it - for rest (Exodus 23:12). It was the Pharisees that had forgotten the intent and turned it into an purely ceremonial observance. Let us be wise men who know the intent of God's instructions for our lives. Then we will be equipped to make wise judgments!
Mark 2:27
Wisdom, knowing what is the proper thing to do in any situation. The Bible is our guide to wisdom. It shows us many principles to guide us in determining what is the right thing to do.
What appears on the surface is not necessarily all there is to a thing. An iceberg is 90% under the water. And so it is with some of God's laws. We need to go deeper than the surface to determine what is the intent of that law.
The context to this verse is Jesus and His disciples using the materiality concept we discussed yesterday. They were traveling down the road and going through a farmer's field, picking ears of corn to eat as they went because they were hungry (vs. 23). The Pharisees called them into question on this, not because they were taking corn from someone's field, for they knew Deuteronomy 23, but because they were doing this on the Sabbath day (vs. 24). And Moses' law said that Israelites were not to work on the Sabbath day.
Jesus comes right back and pointed to a situation where David, running for his life from Saul's men sent to kill him, took the Shew Bread from the Tabernacle for he and his men to eat. The law of Moses said that the Shew Bread was only for the priests to eat. David was from Judah's tribe, not Levi's, so he could not eat of it! But David knew that the saving of life was more important than keeping ceremonial restrictions (see 1Sam 21:3-6). And based on that example, Jesus applied the same reasoning to declare that the Sabbath had been instituted for man's good and blessing. So doing necessary work to eat on the Sabbath was acceptable in God's sight.
More to the point, the LORD had stated the purpose of the Sabbath when He gave it - for rest (Exodus 23:12). It was the Pharisees that had forgotten the intent and turned it into an purely ceremonial observance. Let us be wise men who know the intent of God's instructions for our lives. Then we will be equipped to make wise judgments!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Wisdom Principle - Materiality
24 When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.
25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.
Deu 23:24-25
Wisdom, the power of right judgment, is our topic. We are seeking out some of the principles of wisdom that are taught in the Word of God. The principle today is one that is recognized in the financial world. It is the principle of materiality.
Observe how the principle of mercy we have already studied comes into play with this principle. In this passage the LORD tells His people that as they are traveling down the road, if they are hungry, it is permissible for them to go into an Israelite's field and take some produce to ease their hunger on the spot. The amount of grapes or grain needed to satiate a man's hunger is extremely small compared to a large field or vineyard.
While used slightly differently, a bank works on the same principle. At the end of the day each teller does not have to balance to the exact penny. Each institution has its own standard and no bank, with the thousands of dollars flowing through its teller windows each day, expects 100% accuracy. The cost of balancing to that level would be more costly than the effort is worth, so they set the figure at, say, $5 and anything below that they don't worry about. It is am immaterial loss, part of the cost of doing business.
Life is too short to be concerned about every little detail. The LORD expects us to be careful and diligent to a reasonable extent, and then says, don't worry about the small and the insignificant aspects. I'll take care of those for you.
25 When thou comest into the standing corn of thy neighbour, then thou mayest pluck the ears with thine hand; but thou shalt not move a sickle unto thy neighbour’s standing corn.
Deu 23:24-25
Wisdom, the power of right judgment, is our topic. We are seeking out some of the principles of wisdom that are taught in the Word of God. The principle today is one that is recognized in the financial world. It is the principle of materiality.
Observe how the principle of mercy we have already studied comes into play with this principle. In this passage the LORD tells His people that as they are traveling down the road, if they are hungry, it is permissible for them to go into an Israelite's field and take some produce to ease their hunger on the spot. The amount of grapes or grain needed to satiate a man's hunger is extremely small compared to a large field or vineyard.
While used slightly differently, a bank works on the same principle. At the end of the day each teller does not have to balance to the exact penny. Each institution has its own standard and no bank, with the thousands of dollars flowing through its teller windows each day, expects 100% accuracy. The cost of balancing to that level would be more costly than the effort is worth, so they set the figure at, say, $5 and anything below that they don't worry about. It is am immaterial loss, part of the cost of doing business.
Life is too short to be concerned about every little detail. The LORD expects us to be careful and diligent to a reasonable extent, and then says, don't worry about the small and the insignificant aspects. I'll take care of those for you.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Wisdom comes from use
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Heb 5:14
God's Word is wonderful! You can be reading and considering a verse for one purpose and the Holy Spirit can direct your thoughts into another direction during that process! Permit me a slight detour today.
Our thought from yesterday brought to mind something we need to be aware of. We are looking at some of the principles of wisdom in God's word. We wrapped up mercy yesterday and were reminded that to be wise requires diligent, disciplined study that many do not want to do. But there is another item that is required for us to attain unto wisdom.
Great athletes are students of their endeavor. They learn the diet, fields of motion, rest and healing times so their bodies can attain the heights of performance. But no matter how much they know of their bodies and sport, one thing is essential: they get better by DOING.
The same is true in mental and spiritual pursuits, of which attaining unto wisdom is among the greatest. All of the detailed Bible study, cross reference, meditation and discussion will do no good unless we exercise ourselves in what we are learning. We learn by doing. We learn by living life, being confronted by situations at work, home, church and play, and applying what we have learned in our studies.
Wise men are not made in ivory towers of learning or monastic retreats, isolated from others. Wise men do use means to take time away from other activities for a season. But their abilities are sharpened by interaction with men in the world. They reflect and hone the wisdom which they have learned in their daily lives with others.
Are you applying what you know to the life that you are living?
God's Word is wonderful! You can be reading and considering a verse for one purpose and the Holy Spirit can direct your thoughts into another direction during that process! Permit me a slight detour today.
Our thought from yesterday brought to mind something we need to be aware of. We are looking at some of the principles of wisdom in God's word. We wrapped up mercy yesterday and were reminded that to be wise requires diligent, disciplined study that many do not want to do. But there is another item that is required for us to attain unto wisdom.
Great athletes are students of their endeavor. They learn the diet, fields of motion, rest and healing times so their bodies can attain the heights of performance. But no matter how much they know of their bodies and sport, one thing is essential: they get better by DOING.
The same is true in mental and spiritual pursuits, of which attaining unto wisdom is among the greatest. All of the detailed Bible study, cross reference, meditation and discussion will do no good unless we exercise ourselves in what we are learning. We learn by doing. We learn by living life, being confronted by situations at work, home, church and play, and applying what we have learned in our studies.
Wise men are not made in ivory towers of learning or monastic retreats, isolated from others. Wise men do use means to take time away from other activities for a season. But their abilities are sharpened by interaction with men in the world. They reflect and hone the wisdom which they have learned in their daily lives with others.
Are you applying what you know to the life that you are living?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Wisdom Principles - Mercy (#1)
(Actually sent out 10/06/08. Provided here to give context.)
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Pro 21:3
We have talked about wisdom in general. Let us get more specific. There are principles of wisdom which we should learn. General guidelines to apply to our daily activities. Here is a verse that helps to teach us one of those principles.
One of the great overriding principles in God's revelation to man is mercy. And this verse points us in that direction. This is where the Pharisees of Jesus day and their descendants of today get confused.
The Pharisees were great readers of Scripture. They prided themselves that they were the most orthodox of all the Jewish sects. They knew the letter of the law, but were blind to the true meaning and intent of it.
Solomon, by the LORD's inspiration, knew centuries in advance of them. They existed by other names in his day. They are strong on very detailed adherence to outward form in religion. But they miss the inward reality. The LORD is telling us here that doing what is right, justice, and making wise, appropriate decisions, judgment, is more important than following the letter of the law in the outward form.
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT is more important than outward appearance. And as is often demonstrated in the LORD's actions and those of godly men, showing mercy is just what ought to be done.
To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Pro 21:3
We have talked about wisdom in general. Let us get more specific. There are principles of wisdom which we should learn. General guidelines to apply to our daily activities. Here is a verse that helps to teach us one of those principles.
One of the great overriding principles in God's revelation to man is mercy. And this verse points us in that direction. This is where the Pharisees of Jesus day and their descendants of today get confused.
The Pharisees were great readers of Scripture. They prided themselves that they were the most orthodox of all the Jewish sects. They knew the letter of the law, but were blind to the true meaning and intent of it.
Solomon, by the LORD's inspiration, knew centuries in advance of them. They existed by other names in his day. They are strong on very detailed adherence to outward form in religion. But they miss the inward reality. The LORD is telling us here that doing what is right, justice, and making wise, appropriate decisions, judgment, is more important than following the letter of the law in the outward form.
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT is more important than outward appearance. And as is often demonstrated in the LORD's actions and those of godly men, showing mercy is just what ought to be done.
Wisdom Principles - Mercy (#2)
For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. Hos 6:6
We are considering some of the principles of wisdom that God's word teaches. We started with the principle of mercy, a most important principle.
Was yesterday's verse difficult for you? Did the explanation appear a bit strained? Was the concept of doing justice and judgment being the same as mercy a stretch for you? Then praise the God of heaven for today's verse!
This verse explains Pro 21:3 perfectly. It shows directly that when choosing between the two, God expects mercy to trump sacrifice. It helps us see that the Good God considers mercy to be a major aspect of doing justice to others and of making proper decisions. It helps us understand God's priority when there are many different options. See Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:1-7 for further confirmation of the principle of mercy as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.
This verse and its fit with Pro 21:3 also reminds us of what we have commented on earlier. Wisdom is not always easy to find. This one was relatively easy, just hooking up one other verse to Pro 21:3 for the proof. But see how necessary it was to do a little searching, a little digging of an appropriate cross reference to "seal the deal" and make sense of this item.
This is the kind of work that Pharisee literalists, confused Seventh Day Adventists and lazy 21st century "Christians" don't do. It is the kind of work that only disciplined, God loving, great men will do. Are you up to the task today?
We are considering some of the principles of wisdom that God's word teaches. We started with the principle of mercy, a most important principle.
Was yesterday's verse difficult for you? Did the explanation appear a bit strained? Was the concept of doing justice and judgment being the same as mercy a stretch for you? Then praise the God of heaven for today's verse!
This verse explains Pro 21:3 perfectly. It shows directly that when choosing between the two, God expects mercy to trump sacrifice. It helps us see that the Good God considers mercy to be a major aspect of doing justice to others and of making proper decisions. It helps us understand God's priority when there are many different options. See Matthew 9:13 and Matthew 12:1-7 for further confirmation of the principle of mercy as taught by our Lord Jesus Christ.
This verse and its fit with Pro 21:3 also reminds us of what we have commented on earlier. Wisdom is not always easy to find. This one was relatively easy, just hooking up one other verse to Pro 21:3 for the proof. But see how necessary it was to do a little searching, a little digging of an appropriate cross reference to "seal the deal" and make sense of this item.
This is the kind of work that Pharisee literalists, confused Seventh Day Adventists and lazy 21st century "Christians" don't do. It is the kind of work that only disciplined, God loving, great men will do. Are you up to the task today?
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