Written by His Grace,
Kevin K. O’Connor
Main
thought: to examine the contrast between earthly and Heavenly wisdom
Wisdom
from Above
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (Whole Chapter: In
context: )
Wisdom, what a wonderful thing that is a
desirable trait both of God’s kingdom and of satan’s.
James 3:14-16 14 But if ye have
bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the
truth.15 This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.16 For
where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
The
wisdom from above says not my will but Yours. The
wisdom from below says my will, not Yours. The wisdom
from above says teach me wisdom, the wisdom from below says let me teach you my
wisdom. The wisdom from above says may I help you while the wisdom from below
says look at what I can do. Wisdom from above says give all of yourself into
what you do and the wisdom from below says no need to overdo it. Wisdom from
above says listen much and speak little while the wisdom from below says speak
much and listen little.
The
contrast between Heaven and hell are quite distinct and clear. The One Is Love
of God and others, the other is love of self and only of others for selfish
reasons. The problem with us is that we don’t take the time to realize this so
that our hearts can learn how to fall upon Christ the One who emptied Himself
out for us. Although God made us in His image, that image has been marred by
sin. The result is that our heart’s tendency is to view life from our own
selfish perspectives just as satan does. We need to
realize that our life should be lived to the fullest and to the fullest of
either heaven or hell;
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either
one or the other! (Whole Chapter: In
context: ).
Even
God Himself tells us He’d rather us be either all out for Him or against Him.
Why? Because you can at least steer a misguided ship into the right direction
if it’s moving. But Lazy faith sickens God. To Him it’s better to have no faith
then one that says I believe but my actions don’t. So long as we can be lulled into complacency
with our relationship with Christ, satan has robbed us
of our rewards and ruined our usefulness for Christ. He may not have won away
our salvation, but at least he can cause us to enter into heaven as paupers.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall
be saved; yet so as by fire. (Whole Chapter: In
context: ).
Satan
would have us think that our passion should be just a nice warm fuzzy feeling
instead of a raging fire of love and devotion. He would have us think that
there are no right and wrongs only varying shades of light and dark – in other
words gray. Just as Holy God is, satan isn’t. We need
to quit allowing satan to rob us of our purpose of
existence here below and get on fire for Christ our King. We need to take a
good hard look at God’s ways verses our ways. If we were only to look and
listen we would behold the beauty of seeking His Heart and Ways and not our
own. The longer we live in this world that is here and gone, the more we should
realize that the pride of man leads to destruction.
Have
you ever noticed how it seems that so many people are not happy with their
jobs, their spouse, and the places where they live? Sometimes I wonder if Eve
was feeling those same feelings when satan came along
and tempted her with the thought that there was more out there than she was
getting. Look again at the what the world’s wisdom produces as James 3:14-16 states 14 But
if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not
against the truth.15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual,
devilish.16 For where envying and strife is, there
is confusion and every evil work. Now take a look at what God’s wisdom
produces in us; But godliness with
contentment is great gain. (Whole Chapter: In
context: )
It seems that the lusts for the things of this life are a real battle
that we need to learn how to overcome with the strength of Christ our King.
Chasing after the lusts of this world just produces more lusts for the things
that are here and gone. But, pressing after those things of God produces Peace beyond
our comprehension.
While
satan can make our ego and flesh fat and happy, God
can fill the heart with Joy the world knows not of. There are definite rewards
and penalties here and now depending on who or what we will serve. If we come to the realization that the way of
the flesh is death and get hungry for real life, than there is hope. We need to
learn how to press after those things that will never fade or pass away with
the same fervor that we used to chase after those things of this life that are
here and gone. Wisdom is choosing the winning team. Christ has overcome death,
hell and the grave and now awaits all those who will listen to His voice and
come out of the world and themselves to follow Him. God is calling us today to
choose and then to go for it whether it is Him or hell but not to live a halfhearted
existence;
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either
one or the other! (Whole Chapter: In
context: ).
That
is amazing that God Himself would tell us that He would rather us be sold out
to the enemy than living a halfhearted existence with Him. We need to stop and
look at the incredible power and beauty of His heart proclaimed throughout the
things we can see in this life. We see dried up old seeds that in all
appearance look dead but put a little water on them and life appears. That same
thing that used to be a small seed then sends down roots that fight their way
through the soil and around rocks to find the life giving water so that it can
continue growing and living.
Our
God is a mighty God and not only is His Power and Life proclaimed through the
creation of the universe but is constantly being lived out before our very
lives. He wants us to be a part of what He desires to do in and through our
lives and that is a life of Power and Passion not laziness and lukewarm ness.
Wisdom is to put all of your eggs in one basket if that is the one that is
going to get them through. God’s Word speaks for Himself and His Word is Power
and Life to all those who will listen and to those who will live it.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect,
will of God. (Whole Chapter: In
context: )
Our
love and passion for Christ must learn how to bust out of a halfhearted
existence with Him and live for Him whole heartedly. We must not allow our love
to grow cold or lazy or be conformed by the world’s
standards. Christ is returning to receive those of His that have prepared their
lamps and are ready.
Lord,
may we be Your wise bride that has heard Your voice to
ready our hearts for the joys of being with You. In Jesus Name, Amen
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If you have comments
or suggestions email me at rubornagain2@outlook.com