The Futility of Worldly Wisdom, Pt. II - Rev. Scott Henry

Wisdom, in the Jewish mind, is the righteous application of truth. James speaks of wisdom as a result of new life in Jesus Christ. He (Jesus) is the Wisdom of GOD. We must resist the temptation to think, "I know the Bible says...but I think..." To guard one's heart requires vigilance. We must diligently guard our heart against the pollution of the world. Lack of this diligence results in reletavism & all other sorts of fallacies. GOD has set in motion the laws of logic, mathematics, reason, etc and we must order our thoughts aright and in accordance with GOD's revealed truth.

We must treasure GOD's Word. Silver & gold will perish along with the rest of the things to which we cling in this life. It matters not to gain the world, if you stand condemned in the Day of judgment. Solomon teaches his son, in Proverbs 2, to seek after that which is truly profitable. Our purpose in life ought to be the fear & service of GOD. The pleasure of GOD in all that we do ought to be our intention in all that we do.

James commands us to pray to GOD that we might have wisdom. In Luke 24 we are shown that it is the LORD Who opens the understanding. Scripture teaches us wisdom and how to avoid peril in this life. Many of the schemes and plots of the world could be avoided by careful attention to the admonitions of the Bible. Ecclesiastes 5 warns of the vanity of chasing after the gain gotten in this life.

Titus 3 warns against ungodliness and teaches adherance tio th grace of GOD to avoid the sins that plague unbelievers. Let not your conduct be determined by circumstances, rather by principles of Scripture. This brings glory to GOD. Good conduct demonstrates a changed heart. Power under control is meekness and we are called to be meek. Godly response to life's trials is strengthened and ordered aright by habitual attention to the Word of GOD.

Our holy living is not the determinant of our justification. We are not saved by what we do, rather our doing is motivated by a proper understanding of the grace of GOD executed in the giving of His Son for the justification of His people. For His own good pleasure & purpose He has chosen a particular people to set aside for His glory - not according to any redeemable quality inherant in the chosen.

Our light must shine in good conduct. When at odds with another, exercise wisdom and follow the precepts taught in Matthew 18. Follow the example of the Good Samaritan when you see a neighbor in need. Pray GOD remove bitter envy & self-seeking from your heart. Envy not the bounty of earthly and spiritual affluence of another. Avoid the desire to outdo the next man. Focus on the glory of the LORD. To forsake the wisdom of GOD is the think & act earthly, sensually, & demonically (Jas 3:15). Adam & Eve believed the lie and became liars - the resulting world system we see today, which is based on the idea that submission and service to GOD is unecessary.

Eve desired to judge right & wrong for herself to the neglect of what GOD said. Walk in wisdom & submit to His counsel. Phi 2:1-5 - reflect on Christ's life and direction(s). He took the form of a man upon Himself that we might be called the children of the living GOD...AMEN

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