Jesus Is…, 56

~ Jesus Christ Is Our Wisdom ~

Passage  ~  “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God — and righteousness and sanctification and redemption — that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31).

Significance  ~  The Book of James contrasts the wisdom of this world with the “wisdom from God” noted above:  “Who is wise and understanding among you?  Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.  This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.  For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. …  

[Note the change at this point.]

…  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.  Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:13-18).

Comment  ~  “Wisdom from God” is usually not flashy or flamboyant but rather a quiet grace.  King Solomon put it this way: “Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools” (Ecclesiastes 9:17).  Wisdom from God is straightforward, simple, loving, faithful, and most importantly true.  Godly wisdom always operates in love.  It is never spoken to please people, rather its aim is always towards pleasing God.  A vital truth to remember is that God delights to give His wisdom to all who seek Him—regardless of your abilities, your earthly status, or your past. 

the key question:  “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Salvation, 13

~ Positives Gained Through Salvation ~

Salvation is not a Reward for the Righteous.

It is an available Gift for those who understand their Guilt!

There are a number of positives which accompany salvation.  “We are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation” (Hebrews 6:9a).

The Knowledge of Salvation  ~  “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:76-79).

The Joy of Salvation  ~  “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.  Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You” (Psalm 51:10-13).  

The Strength of Salvation  ~  “The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high; He has filled Zion with justice and righteousness.  Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is His treasure” (Isaiah 33:5-6).   

The Wells of Salvation  ~  “‘Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid;

“For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.”’  Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2-3).

The Cup of Salvation  ~  “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?  I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.  I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people” Psalm 116:12-14).  

The Helmet of Salvation  ~  “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation [protect your head and your thought-life], and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:14-18).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .

Learn From Gideon, 49

~ Learn From History ~

The Biblical account of the life of Gideon provides for one of the most interesting character studies in all of Scripture.  In this series we will discover practical lessons for living the Christian life today.  

Scripture  ~  “Thus the children of Israel did not remember the Lord their God, who had delivered them from the hands of all their enemies on every side; nor did they show kindness to the house of Jerubbaal (Gideon) in accordance with the good he had done for Israel” (Judges 8:34-35)

Learn From Gideon  ~  We should learn from history—but we don’t.   

1. We don’t even learn from our personal history!  We forget both our personal and national history (see the previous post in this series). 
2. We do not retain the lessons of history.
3. Man’s heart is desperately wicked and deceitful.  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?  I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:9-10).
4. Sin has consequences—but not always immediately.  Gideon’s sins had consequences and so do ours.  “Be sure your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:24b).  “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:22).
5. Fortunately God has provided a Savior—His Son Jesus Christ.  “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:14-17). 

Challenge For Us  ~  Do you seek God consistently in the good times? 

concluding comment  ~  We learn about Gideon primarily from Judges 6-8, but also Isaiah 9:1-7, and Hebrews 11:1-3, 32-34.

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

NOTES:

(1)     The current TOP 10 ALN posts are listed at the very bottom of this home page.

(2)     There is an INDEX of all ALN posts accessed by scrolling down the left column.

(3)     You may LINK to any ALN posts on your own blog or website. 

(4)     You may COPY any ALN post, but please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight at http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/ .