Bible Ballistics: BBs #503 What Color Are You Painting In???

 

We live in a world of color—beautiful colors that God created for our pleasure as well as utility! Yet many are tempted today to paint God’s message in worldly colors, and we can’t do that without diminishing the truth of God’s message.

“For after that in the wisdom of God

the world by wisdom knew not God,

it pleased God

by the foolishness of preaching

to save them

that believe.

22 For the Jews require a sign,

and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23 But we preach Christ crucified,

unto the Jews a stumblingblock,

and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24 But unto them which are called,

both Jews and Greeks,

Christ

the power of God,

and the wisdom of God.

25 Because the foolishness of God

is wiser than men;

and the weakness of God

is stronger than men.” 1 Corinthians 1:21-25

God’s wisdom—that is the only true wisdom! The Book of Proverbs speaks of godly wisdom throughout its entirety, let’s look at just a few verses today (And remember “fear of the Lord” is referring to reverential awe.)

“The fear of the LORD

is the beginning of knowledge:

but fools despise

wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

“The fear of the LORD

is the beginning of wisdom:

and the knowledge of the holy

is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10

“A true witness delivereth souls:

but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

26 In the fear of the LORD

is strong confidence:

and his children shall have a place

of refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD

is a fountain of life,

to depart from the snares of death.”   Proverbs 14:25-27

Oh, to rest in the “fear of the Lord”! Oh, that we could truly see through the lies of the enemy, the deceit of the world, and the illusions and distractions of a world denying God on every hand!!! We must come to understand and accept that God’s way aren’t the ways of the world, and HIS Word will never appeal to the masses—it never has and it never will. Not because God doesn’t love the world, but because the world doesn’t love or desire to know The God Almighty who sent “His only begotten Son” to die for them—for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith.

“The Lord is not slack

concerning his promise,

as some men count slackness;

but is longsuffering

to us-ward,

not willing that any should perish,

but that all should come

to repentance.”   1 Peter 3:10

Every person has the choice whether he/she will receive the truth of God and be saved by coming to Jesus, or whether we will choose the pleasures of “sin for a season” (See Hebrews 11:25)? Just remember there is a consequence to every choice, and while God has given every person the privilege to choose—we can NOT choose the consequences for our sin!

“For the wages of sin is death;

but the gift of God is eternal life

through Jesus Christ our Lord.”    Romans 6;23

And in closing a paramount insight into the difference between the world’s ways and God’s is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians; I pray that you will ponder it today, and examine your own “color palette”! What colors are you painting before the world? Are you receiving The Spirit’s direction in your life choices, or the world’s? Choose wisely—there is a test at the end!

“For what man knoweth the things of a man,

save the spirit of man

which is in him?

even so the things of God

knoweth no man,

but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received,

not the spirit of the world,

but the spirit which is of God;

that we might know the things

that are freely given to us

of God.

13 Which things also we speak,

not in the words

which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth;

comparing spiritual things

with spiritual.

14 But the natural man

receiveth not the things

of the Spirit of God:

for they are foolishness

unto him:

neither can he know them,

because they are spiritually discerned.

15 But he that is spiritual

judgeth all things,

yet he himself is

judged of no man.

16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord,

that he may instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ.”    1 Corinthians 2:11-16

May the “mind of Christ” pervade our heart, and mind, and choices in every step today and each day!!!

Amen and Amen!