God only wise

Bible Reading: Romans 16

Romans 16:27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Where is wisdom to be found? People look high and low for true wisdom. They look to so called ‘ascended masters’ and to gurus from the east. They look to the ‘ancient wisdom’ from old books. However, the Bible says that God is only wise. That means that true wisdom comes from God and from his Word. Do you know what real wisdom is? It is hearing and obeying the Word of God.

Matthew 7:24-27 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Throughout the Bible, we learn that the only true wisdom comes from God. Here are a few examples:

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Colossians 2:3 In whom [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.

Jude 1:25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

Where are you searching for wisdom? What old books are you reading? What new books are you reading? How about digging into the only book written by the only wise God – the Bible. There is the source for true wisdom. Do you need wisdom for your family? Do you need wisdom for your job? Do you need wisdom for your relationships? Do you need wisdom for your walk with Christ? All of these areas and more are covered in the Bible.

Romans 11:33-34 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counseller?

God needs no counselor; he is the only wise counselor! Listen to his Word, obey him and be wise!

In Christ,

Rody

Be likeminded one toward another

Bible Reading: Romans 15

Romans 15:5-6 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul calls God the God of patience. Aren’t you glad that God is patient with you? Have you ever thought back to times when God waited a long time for you to come to an understanding from him and repent? Then do the same for others! God is the God of consolation. That means he is comforting. He is a God of exhortation and encouragement. If we are indwelt by the God of patience and consolation, then we should show patience and consolation toward others – especially the church!

Paul’s prayer is that they be like minded toward one another according to Jesus Christ. The church is no social club. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. We are fellow soldiers in the army of Christ. We have a mission and a common enemy who we are to resist steadfast in the faith. We must be likeminded in our attitude as believers. We do this when we allow our thinking to be aligned with that of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Believers have the mind of Christ so when we are led by his Spirit, we will be likeminded. When the church is likeminded, we will have one mind and with one mouth we will glorify God. How important is it that a church be likeminded? It is absolutely essential. Imagine an army that was not coordinated. Imagine a family that was all going in different directions. (Well, unfortunately sin has given us some good examples of both of these.) The importance of like-mindedness is the difference between fulfilling the mission of Jesus and failing. Thank God, that failure is not an option.

What must you do to be likeminded with your brothers and sisters in Christ? First, love God and listen to him. Second, look to the example of Christ. Third, love your brothers and sisters and die to yourself.

Romans 15:2-3 Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.

In Christ,

Rody

Every one of us

Bible Reading: Romans 14

Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Some day we will all stand before the throne of God and give an account of our life here on earth. For believers this will look very different than it will for those who do not believe on Jesus Christ. For the unbeliever, they will stand before a Great White throne. Their judgment will happen at the same time as that fallen angel Satan and they will be condemned.

Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

For the believer, we will not experience condemnation.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Our sins were judged on Calvary’s tree. We will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Believers will give an account of our stewardship of the Lord’s resources while we were here on earth. We will receive according to what we have done in this body. Are you living for that day? As a believer you should focus on living in such a way that it will not be embarrassing to stand before Jesus. Imagine a Father leaving a child with some things to do only to return and find that the son played video games the whole time and did not obey his father.

Let us live knowing that God loves us and has exciting and fulfilling work for us to do here and now while we await the return of Jesus!

In Christ,

Rody