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“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10.
Not fear in the sense of being afraid, but fear in the sense of being awestruck, knowing who God is.
Not fear in the sense of being afraid, but fear in the sense of being awestruck, knowing who God is.
Think of all the things we don’t know, all the things we don’t understand. And then realize that there is one creator of everything. There is nothing he doesn’t know, nothing here on earth he didn’t create.
Think of all the things we don’t know, all the things we don’t understand. And then realize that there is one creator of everything. There is nothing he doesn’t know, nothing here on earth he didn’t create.
Let’s rewind and start at the very beginning. God created. He created the heavens and the earth and everything in them (Genesis 1). There was no death, no sickness, no hate, no hurt, no tears. God created paradise, Eden, and put man right in the middle of it.
Let’s rewind and start at the very beginning. God created. He created the heavens and the earth and everything in them (Genesis 1). There was no death, no sickness, no hate, no hurt, no tears. God created paradise, Eden, and put man right in the middle of it.
And in the heart and mind of man he put freewill. God wanted us to be able to make our own decisions, choose our own path, love him of our own accord.
And in the heart and mind of man he put freewill. God wanted us to be able to make our own decisions, choose our own path, love him of our own accord.
Enter Satan, the fallen angel. (God even gave the angels the ability to choose right or wrong.)
Enter Satan, the fallen angel. (God even gave the angels the ability to choose right or wrong.)
By Satan’s words, he successfully induced Eve to do the very thing God told her not to do. Why did God tell her not to eat the fruit that would give her the knowledge of good and evil? Because once we know we’re doing wrong, then it becomes sin (James 4:17). Sin cannot exist where God is. Therefore, sin brings separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). And even more than this, sin brings death. (Romans 6:23).
By Satan’s words, he successfully induced Eve to do the very thing God told her not to do. Why did God tell her not to eat the fruit that would give her the knowledge of good and evil? Because once we know we’re doing wrong, then it becomes sin (James 4:17). Sin cannot exist where God is. Therefore, sin brings separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). And even more than this, sin brings death. (Romans 6:23).
A second point here is that God always, always, always has our best interests at heart (Romans 8:28). Always. So when he tells us to do or not do something, we need to listen. It stands to reason that since he knows every detail of every single thing--past, present, and future--that his knowledge trumps ours every time; therefore, we can certainly trust him to make the best decision for us...every single time. He knew that this would separate us from him. Keep in mind that Adam and Eve were in paradise! Utopia!
A second point here is that God always, always, always has our best interests at heart (Romans 8:28). Always. So when he tells us to do or not do something, we need to listen. It stands to reason that since he knows every detail of every single thing--past, present, and future--that his knowledge trumps ours every time; therefore, we can certainly trust him to make the best decision for us...every single time. He knew that this would separate us from him. Keep in mind that Adam and Eve were in paradise! Utopia!
Think of the everlasting joy that would’ve been theirs had they listened to God instead!
Think of the everlasting joy that would’ve been theirs had they listened to God instead!
So why did God put the tree in Eden in the first place? Again, he wanted us to choose to obey him. It had to be our choice or it was meaningless.
So why did God put the tree in Eden in the first place? Again, he wanted us to choose to obey him. It had to be our choice or it was meaningless.
So Adam and Eve ate the fruit and thus introduced death, sickness, pain, hurt, and every evil thing into this perfect world that God created for us to live in. This evil touched every living thing in creation from man all the way down to the smallest amoeba. Anything with life was now cursed with death. It wasn’t God’s fault; it was our fault.
So Adam and Eve ate the fruit and thus introduced death, sickness, pain, hurt, and every evil thing into this perfect world that God created for us to live in. This evil touched every living thing in creation from man all the way down to the smallest amoeba. Anything with life was now cursed with death. It wasn’t God’s fault; it was our fault.
Knowing this is the beginning of wisdom.
Knowing this is the beginning of wisdom.
Genesis 3:17-18
The next few thousand years are documented in the Bible and show God’s attempts at our reclamation. He gave us a way back to him by giving us the law through Moses, the ten commandments. Ten simple little laws...and we couldn’t cut it there either.
The next few thousand years are documented in the Bible and show God’s attempts at our reclamation. He gave us a way back to him by giving us the law through Moses, the ten commandments. Ten simple little laws...and we couldn’t cut it there either.
When we think of the ten commandments, we think of the big ones: Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery…
When we think of the ten commandments, we think of the big ones: Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not commit adultery…
But what about the others? Have you ever wished something someone else had was yours? Did you ever strive to get it? Did you ever make anything in your life more important than God...like yourself maybe? Have you ever not kept the Sabbath holy? Have you ever lied? And yes, white lies count.
But what about the others? Have you ever wished something someone else had was yours? Did you ever strive to get it? Did you ever make anything in your life more important than God...like yourself maybe? Have you ever not kept the Sabbath holy? Have you ever lied? And yes, white lies count.
I feel fairly safe to say of course you have because we all have. If you’ve ever gotten back more change than you should have and kept it, you’ve stolen. If you’ve ever brought home a pen from work and kept it, you’ve stolen. If you’re married and you’ve ever indulged in less than righteous thoughts about a man or woman other than your spouse, you’ve committed adultery (Matthew 5:27-28).
I feel fairly safe to say of course you have because we all have. If you’ve ever gotten back more change than you should have and kept it, you’ve stolen. If you’ve ever brought home a pen from work and kept it, you’ve stolen. If you’re married and you’ve ever indulged in less than righteous thoughts about a man or woman other than your spouse, you’ve committed adultery (Matthew 5:27-28).
Sound harsh? Sin is harsh! That’s why it had to be atoned for with the death of something. Something had to die in our place to atone for that sin we committed...or we would die.
Sound harsh? Sin is harsh! That’s why it had to be atoned for with the death of something. Something had to die in our place to atone for that sin we committed...or we would die.
Sin...brings...death…period.
Sin...brings...death…period.
So let me reiterate: Ten little laws that are summed up in two statements by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40:
So let me reiterate: Ten little laws that are summed up in two statements by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-40:
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
How simple it sounds and how right.
How simple it sounds and how right.
But we couldn’t do it.
But we couldn’t do it.
Moses hadn’t even yet come down from the mountain with the tablets the commandments were written on before the Israelites were at the foot of the mountain breaking those commandments!
Moses hadn’t even yet come down from the mountain with the tablets the commandments were written on before the Israelites were at the foot of the mountain breaking those commandments!
So essentially God spent generations repeatedly showing us mercy and encouraging us and forgiving us and bailing us out of one mess after another, etc., and most importantly, not killing us once and for all (although he did come awfully close one day in the form of a great flood).
So essentially God spent generations repeatedly showing us mercy and encouraging us and forgiving us and bailing us out of one mess after another, etc., and most importantly, not killing us once and for all (although he did come awfully close one day in the form of a great flood).
After showing us and proving to us for thousands of years how utterly miserable and hopeless we are, God--the creator of the universe, no less---made a way to bring us back to him by sending his own son to come down here to this hellhole we created for ourselves, to live the sinless life we all should live, so that we can climb out of this pit of death and crawl back to Eden to spend eternity with God.
After showing us and proving to us for thousands of years how utterly miserable and hopeless we are, God--the creator of the universe, no less---made a way to bring us back to him by sending his own son to come down here to this hellhole we created for ourselves, to live the sinless life we all should live, so that we can climb out of this pit of death and crawl back to Eden to spend eternity with God.
(Wow. I mean, wow. Just absorb that for a minute…)
(Wow. I mean, wow. Just absorb that for a minute…)
There was one catch, though. And it was a pretty huge one. Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, had to conquer death...by dying. Jesus, the perfect one, had to die.
There was one catch, though. And it was a pretty huge one. Jesus, the Son of the Most High God, had to conquer death...by dying. Jesus, the perfect one, had to die.
Now anybody who has seen The Passion of the Christ feels what I’m trying to say here. If you haven’t seen it, I would definitely encourage you to watch it.
Now anybody who has seen The Passion of the Christ feels what I’m trying to say here. If you haven’t seen it, I would definitely encourage you to watch it.
So let me put this in perspective. The holy, perfect Son of God, was born on earth. He was tempted beyond what any of us will ever know because he was the Son of God. (He was given all power and could’ve pulled the plug anytime.)
So let me put this in perspective. The holy, perfect Son of God, was born on earth. He was tempted beyond what any of us will ever know because he was the Son of God. (He was given all power and could’ve pulled the plug anytime.)
So he’s here, God in the flesh, and we’re here doing all these horrible things to each other and to him and he just lets it happen. Here’s the part we need to pay attention to: He did it all for us, because of us, and in spite of us. Get that. We were and are still hurting each other and every other living creature in the most inhumane ways; yet, Christ came and let himself be painfully put to death...in public...in humiliation...for us!! (Romans 5:8)
So he’s here, God in the flesh, and we’re here doing all these horrible things to each other and to him and he just lets it happen. Here’s the part we need to pay attention to: He did it all for us, because of us, and in spite of us. Get that. We were and are still hurting each other and every other living creature in the most inhumane ways; yet, Christ came and let himself be painfully put to death...in public...in humiliation...for us!! (Romans 5:8)
Absorb that for a minute!
Absorb that for a minute!
Why did he do this? One word: Love. By living the sinless life we should be living and by taking our death sentence upon himself, he took our place. He took our death upon himself, thereby giving us eternal life and complete reconciliation with God.
Why did he do this? One word: Love. By living the sinless life we should be living and by taking our death sentence upon himself, he took our place. He took our death upon himself, thereby giving us eternal life and complete reconciliation with God.
So what’s our part in all this? Very, very simple. All we have to do is confess with our mouth that Jesus is the Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Nothing could be easier.
So what’s our part in all this? Very, very simple. All we have to do is confess with our mouth that Jesus is the Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). Nothing could be easier.
Why do we have to believe and accept? Again, God gave us free will. If I were starving and someone came along and gave me a plateful of food, that does not mean I am saved. I still have to eat it. I still have to do my part.
Why do we have to believe and accept? Again, God gave us free will. If I were starving and someone came along and gave me a plateful of food, that does not mean I am saved. I still have to eat it. I still have to do my part.
So where are we? First, we need to stop blaming God for everything we caused. And second, we need to get down on our knees and thank God for everything he’s done to save us.
So where are we? First, we need to stop blaming God for everything we caused. And second, we need to get down on our knees and thank God for everything he’s done to save us.
This is the beginning of wisdom.
This is the beginning of wisdom.
This brings us to our third point.
This brings us to our third point.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10.
How do we bring all this home? Where do we get wisdom?
How do we bring all this home? Where do we get wisdom?
Let me ask you something. If you had cancer and were dying and someone told you if you go out in your yard and pick dandelion blossoms and fix them a certain way you would be healed, would you do it? What about if several people told you they did it and were healed? What if hundreds of thousands of people told you worldwide they did it and were healed, would you do it then?
Let me ask you something. If you had cancer and were dying and someone told you if you go out in your yard and pick dandelion blossoms and fix them a certain way you would be healed, would you do it? What about if several people told you they did it and were healed? What if hundreds of thousands of people told you worldwide they did it and were healed, would you do it then?
Okay then. The recipes for wisdom are contained in a book. And I’m pretty sure you know which book. Read it. Not once, not twice, not seven times, but daily. Spend time reading this amazing book daily. It doesn’t have to be an hour or even half an hour. Just spend ten minutes a day reading and studying it. That’s a good start.
Okay then. The recipes for wisdom are contained in a book. And I’m pretty sure you know which book. Read it. Not once, not twice, not seven times, but daily. Spend time reading this amazing book daily. It doesn’t have to be an hour or even half an hour. Just spend ten minutes a day reading and studying it. That’s a good start.
Have you ever heard the expression there's power in the Word of God? It is the absolute truth. The more you tap into that power the more you see it. It's like working out. You only see and feel the benefits with repetition over time.
Have you ever heard the expression there's power in the Word of God? It is the absolute truth. The more you tap into that power the more you see it. It's like working out. You only see and feel the benefits with repetition over time.
But it does take time. You didn’t jump up and run the moment you were born. You had to build muscles and strength and then learn to control those muscles. You had to learn to turn over, then sit up, then crawl...you get the picture and you’ve heard it before. My point is, don’t expect miracles after two weeks of spending ten minutes a day reading the Bible. Pursuing wisdom can and should be a lifelong pursuit. But the rewards are eternal joy that nothing can take away, peace that surpasses all understanding, and no fear--I mean, can you imagine a life without fear? Without worry? Without anxiety? Sounds like heaven to me.
But it does take time. You didn’t jump up and run the moment you were born. You had to build muscles and strength and then learn to control those muscles. You had to learn to turn over, then sit up, then crawl...you get the picture and you’ve heard it before. My point is, don’t expect miracles after two weeks of spending ten minutes a day reading the Bible. Pursuing wisdom can and should be a lifelong pursuit. But the rewards are eternal joy that nothing can take away, peace that surpasses all understanding, and no fear--I mean, can you imagine a life without fear? Without worry? Without anxiety? Sounds like heaven to me.
If you stumble, fall, and mess up, welcome to the human race. Just get back up, put a Band-Aid on that knee, and start running again. At least you’re heading towards a goal now instead of running in circles aimlessly.
If you stumble, fall, and mess up, welcome to the human race. Just get back up, put a Band-Aid on that knee, and start running again. At least you’re heading towards a goal now instead of running in circles aimlessly.
Just one last thing: We do not pursue God to earn salvation. It’s a gift. All we have to do is accept it. We pursue God because we choose to love him. This too is a cyclical pattern, but in a good way. The more we pursue, the more we love; the more we love, the more we pursue. And that’s when the mountains start to move.
Just one last thing: We do not pursue God to earn salvation. It’s a gift. All we have to do is accept it. We pursue God because we choose to love him. This too is a cyclical pattern, but in a good way. The more we pursue, the more we love; the more we love, the more we pursue. And that’s when the mountains start to move.
If you made it this far, you are definitely being pursued by God.
If you made it this far, you are definitely being pursued by God.
Congratulations! There is no higher honor!
Congratulations! There is no higher honor!
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