WHO DA SMART ONE HERE?

Friday, January 27, 2017

Psalm 14:1-2 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.

  There are questions I prefer not to answer. Why? Not because of any mortification on my part. My reluctance is because I know that some hearers will close their heart and mind to any further listening and discussion. This is not about audience statistics. It is all about charity in caring for one another.

  I awoke this morning to memory of old friend now gone. He often saying in the midst of lively group discussions, “Who da smart one here? Huh! Who?!” What was he asking? More correctly, what was he stating?

  The above waking memory was likely the result of my being asked “Are Christians smarter than non-believers?

  Yes and no.

  First I must answer my old friend’s provocative question: He meaning the wisdom of Omniscient Sovereign God Almighty, His Word, was not being included in the discussion.

  The answer is yes, Christians are smarter if their world and eternal view with liveliness is grounded in the Word Living and written. How do we know this?

1Kings 4:29-30 [ESV today] And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

                Job 28:12-13; 28:28 "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. … And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'"

Psalm 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

Pro 9:10; 10:13; 32-33; 17:24 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. … On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, … The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise. … Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence. The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor. … The discerning sets his face toward wisdom, but the eyes of a fool are on the ends of the earth.

John 3:1-10 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him." Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

1Corinthians 2:13-14; 3:19 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. … For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their craftiness,"

Colossians 3:14-17 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

James 1:4-5; 3:17 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. … But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

  So we see the Word says that those who trust Him for wisdom and its life-application do most smartly think and live. And yes that includes me, but with no cause to boast on my part, for in my old ego-centric nature I am but a fool. Every day I must strive to not rely on self lest I suppress the all-wise Spirit within me. (Jn.14:26; Rom.12:1-3; 7:18; Eph.2:1-3; 1Thes.5:19)

  Dear brother and sister in Christ, so now you know that depending on our reliance on the Word Living and written, we are smarter than the foolishness of the world not knowing the Lord. Now let us not cease to pray for one another, asking that we may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Rom.12:2; Col.1:9)

EBB4