Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March 19, 2014

But as for you, continue to hold to the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced, knowing from whom you learned [them], And how from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings, which are able to instruct you and give you the understanding for salvation which comes through faith in Christ Jesus [through the leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17 (AMPLIFIED VERSION)

I like the Amplified Version of the Bible when I study simply because it more clearly reflects the Greek meanings.

The insight given to the meaning of wisdom is “leaning of the entire human personality on God in Christ Jesus in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness”.

So, Paul’s idea of wisdom that leads to salvation involves an understanding of Scriptural truth that results in you having the wisdom to trust His wisdom rather than your own!

Wisdom that leads to salvation is wisdom to know you can’t save your soul and only He can!

Wisdom that understands the need to trust God for salvation is the wisdom that manifests in confession of sins and true repentance.

Such wisdom only comes from studying the Scriptures and believing those Scriptures are divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit of God!

The truths expressed in this portion of Scripture would be a New Testament equivalent of this Proverb –“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Wisdom in the Bible is associated with investing your faith in God, loving Him, trusting Him, living for Him and serving Him! Wisdom means trusting Him in your heart and in your head and with your habits!

Wisdom begins with learning from the Word and then leans upon the Word and then loves the Word and, as a result, lives out the Word in daily living!

That’s a Word to the wise!