Passage of the Day: 2nd Peter 3: 18 (highlight verse in bold/underlined) … 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
My Journal for Today: It is true … at the time of conversion for a Christian, with the indwelling of God’s Spirit, we are given, with the knowledge implant of God’s Spirit, all that we will need (from God’s enabling/enlightening grace) to allow us to grow into Christlikeness (see 2nd Peter 1: 3). However, in today’s passage/verse, Peter charges believers to grow beyond our initial conversion state of enablement as we grow to become more like Christ in all aspects of life.
And John MacArthur for this date in his Strength for Today devotionals indicates that growing in Christ is growing in Godly wisdom; and so, how could a consciencious Christian disagree with that? Therefore, in the development of our wisdom quotient, MacArthur points us toward four steps …
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>>> 1. WORSHIP – Worship is the life expression of the “fear of God,” which we know from Scripture (Prov. 9: 10) is the beginning of all wisdom. Therefore, our 24/7 lifestyle of worship becomes the breakthrough surrender to God’s Spirit and the gateway avenue to the mind of God.
>>> 2. PRAYER – James 1: 5 clearly says that God will provide us with His wisdom in abundance IF we are willing to ask for it with the expectation of His fulfillment of that promise. And prayer, of course, is the vehicle for us to ask God for His way/will.
>>> 3. RECEIVE INSTRUCTION – There is Godly wisdom in the counsel or mentoring from others whom we know are more mature (i.e., wiser) in God’s ways than are we (see Prov. 8: 14 and 15: 22; as well as Col. 1: 28).
>>> 4. STUDY SCRIPTURE – 2nd Timothy 2: 15 clearly charges that we, as Christians, be approved before God as we accurately handle His word [i.e., “the word of truth”].
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Therefore, as has been the case this month in my [our] search for Godly wisdom, it’s another check up time!
First, and AGAIN, we must ask ourselves, … just how serious are we to find God’s mind? And if we are serious, what are we doing about it (as outlined by this very practical list above)? As you can see above, God’s word supports every one of the above listed steps to seek out Godly wisdom; but those who find it difficult to break the inertia of embarking on this quest for Godly understanding usually find themselves giving excuses that allow them to stay in the pattern of self-driven patterns or worldly access to understanding.
Often I hear things like, …
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“I’m no Bible scholar and never will be.”
“I just don’t have time to … [you fill in the blank]!”
“The Bible is so difficult to understand.”
“I’m pretty wise in the ways of the world.”
“I can handle it (the tasks of life) on my own.”
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Well, all I can say is … if these or any other excuses are keeping any of us from growing in our understanding of God’s word, I’m afraid Satan has us totally conned and believing all that he would feed us to keep us away from knowing God more intimately. And to any of us who are in that position, I feel for what will result from our self-empowered ignorance or denial of God. As long as Satan (and our own hearts) having us buying into lies like these above, we’re always going to be vulnerable to our enemy; and we’re also going to be diluted of God’s power and His wisdom to become more like Him and to serve Him with power. Sad … sad … sad !!!
My Prayer Today: Fill me daily, God, with Your mind. … Amen
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