In reading of how very blessed King David was, and then his son Solomon after him, I am amazed by how God makes so much of mere human beings. He pours out on them undeserved grace and blessings. The blessing Solomon has been known and admired the most for is wisdom, but The Bible makes it clear that this wisdom is not his own.
"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." I Kings 4:29-30 ESV
God gave Solomon this great wisdom, which he could have used for self-glorification and fame. His wisdom certainly did bring him fame, as people from everywhere came to hear him speak and have him settle disputes, but instead of accepting that as an appropriate ends, he seeks to build a house for God. God blesses Solomon with great wealth, power, admirers, and wisdom, and Solomon does not glory in the blessings, but rather seeks to glory in God as he recognizes, "now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.'" I Kings 5:4-5 ESV
If we are truly seeking wisdom from God, to know and follow in his ways, "If you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:4-5 ESV
God promises wisdom to those who seek it to honor him, but it can get so spoiled! Instead of using it for God's glory and instead of it turning our hearts to worship, we can fall into the trap of believing we have superior knowledge. I have fallen into this trap in group discussions or even in speaking with someone else. If I feel that what I have to say is greatly wise and worth saying, then I will speak before listening. That is, there may be someone else in the room that God has chosen to say that very thing through, and I just stole that opportunity from them.
If the goal of wisdom, which is from God, is to glorify God, then there is no room for ego-stroking. If we are using it to make others admire us or to make ourselves feel that we are worth something, then we are abusing a gift from God and idolizing a blessing instead of giving worship where it is due.
So why are we not, as a body of believers, building temples to God? I don't mean literally, though that would be nice, but in our hearts, in the core of our being, are we focused on building a house for God, making His name great, or are we focused on building our own palace and waiting for others to pay tribute?
Practically, four ways you can give God glory through wisdom(this is a challenge to myself as well)
1) Allow God to speak words of wisdom through you, even if you have heard them before, through those around you and give Him thanks each time He does so.
2) When you speak something that is wise or others acknowledge as wise or moving, give God thanks and don't take the credit...point others to God
3) Always seek wisdom at the feet of God-admit to Him daily that you are a fool, because you are (I am too, for that matter) and thank Him for the grace He gives you through wisdom
4) Spend time praising God for His wisdom and His ways
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Gentleness: What is it, really?
God has been drawing my heart to meditate on Colossians 3:12-17, but especially v.12, which says,
"Put on, then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..."
The ESV Bible uses the word, "meekness," which is a synonym for gentleness. Though Gentleness can be defined as being an "absence of bad temper," it is so much more.
Galatians 6:1-2 Instructs us that, "if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
A "spirit of gentleness" is more an unwarranted and intentional kindness. In the body of Christ, believers need to be restoring each other more, and spending less time tearing one another down.
Too often I have opened myself up to another believer, admitting a sin or struggle, only to have them tell me how wrong it is and why it is wrong. By the same token, I have heard the things that another believer is engaged in and condemned them in my heart.
If we, as a body, are to encourage one another and build one another up, while not disregarding the importance and holiness of God's law, then we need to approach one another as a fellow sinner, with true compassion and intentional kindness.
When we are "restoring" someone, we are not merely doing God's dirty work for Him. The Holy Spirit is what brings true conviction and repentance to a human being. To restore someone is to bring them back to where they one were, to gently remind them of something God has already taught them.
I have many examples of when I have not restored people gently, but perhaps an example of when I did is more useful. I had a friend who was entering a relationship with a young man who was not a Christian, and I had coincidentally been in the area when the young man was casually discussing the relationship with a friend of his. He made it clear that it was not a "serious relationship" and that he was still looking for his "dream girl."
I prayed about the situation, armed myself with scripture, and set out, hoping my words would be guarded and determined to save my friend from an ill romance. I asked her about her relationship with the young man, and she had the same casual attitude that he did about the whole thing. I asked her what she thought that God had to say about a Christian dating someone who was not a Christian, referring to the ever-typical "unequally yolked" argument.
Instead of anger, she reacted calmly by saying that yes, she remembered that, but that it was only something she was trying out for a while. I warned her to be careful, and not to get her heart broken. Now, what she did with that is between her and God. I had spoken the words that God had placed on my heart to say, and no more, for once in my life.
I prayed for her fervently since that time, but did not bring it up again--she was well aware of what she was doing, and I am neither the Judge nor in control. When I approached her, God gave me the grace to speak from a place of loving concern, not judgment. Most importantly, God gave me the grace to let it go, and not continue to press her to "make the right decision."
Gentleness is not something you can fake--it is a true gift of the Holy Spirit. Are you speaking to others gently today? Are you sensitive to where they are in their walk with God, and speaking to them on that level? Is your heart calloused, and do you need God to soften it? I need Him to soften mine many times each day, and I pray He will do the same for you.
"Put on, then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience..."
The ESV Bible uses the word, "meekness," which is a synonym for gentleness. Though Gentleness can be defined as being an "absence of bad temper," it is so much more.
Galatians 6:1-2 Instructs us that, "if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
A "spirit of gentleness" is more an unwarranted and intentional kindness. In the body of Christ, believers need to be restoring each other more, and spending less time tearing one another down.
Too often I have opened myself up to another believer, admitting a sin or struggle, only to have them tell me how wrong it is and why it is wrong. By the same token, I have heard the things that another believer is engaged in and condemned them in my heart.
If we, as a body, are to encourage one another and build one another up, while not disregarding the importance and holiness of God's law, then we need to approach one another as a fellow sinner, with true compassion and intentional kindness.
When we are "restoring" someone, we are not merely doing God's dirty work for Him. The Holy Spirit is what brings true conviction and repentance to a human being. To restore someone is to bring them back to where they one were, to gently remind them of something God has already taught them.
I have many examples of when I have not restored people gently, but perhaps an example of when I did is more useful. I had a friend who was entering a relationship with a young man who was not a Christian, and I had coincidentally been in the area when the young man was casually discussing the relationship with a friend of his. He made it clear that it was not a "serious relationship" and that he was still looking for his "dream girl."
I prayed about the situation, armed myself with scripture, and set out, hoping my words would be guarded and determined to save my friend from an ill romance. I asked her about her relationship with the young man, and she had the same casual attitude that he did about the whole thing. I asked her what she thought that God had to say about a Christian dating someone who was not a Christian, referring to the ever-typical "unequally yolked" argument.
Instead of anger, she reacted calmly by saying that yes, she remembered that, but that it was only something she was trying out for a while. I warned her to be careful, and not to get her heart broken. Now, what she did with that is between her and God. I had spoken the words that God had placed on my heart to say, and no more, for once in my life.
I prayed for her fervently since that time, but did not bring it up again--she was well aware of what she was doing, and I am neither the Judge nor in control. When I approached her, God gave me the grace to speak from a place of loving concern, not judgment. Most importantly, God gave me the grace to let it go, and not continue to press her to "make the right decision."
Gentleness is not something you can fake--it is a true gift of the Holy Spirit. Are you speaking to others gently today? Are you sensitive to where they are in their walk with God, and speaking to them on that level? Is your heart calloused, and do you need God to soften it? I need Him to soften mine many times each day, and I pray He will do the same for you.
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