Tag Archives: Romans 11:33-36

Friday Proverb – Godly Honor and Riches

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It is very distressing to see the continual corruption of the Laodicean church of today.  The Word of God speaks to us on every aspect of how we should live in this sinful, fallen world – while being in the world – but not of it.  This is Biblical separation – it is sanctification.  And by living and walking with the Lord – our lives give testimony to His majesty and power.  Full surrender to Him is the only means  to true prosperity. 

Proverbs 11:16

A gracious woman retaineth honour:

GRA’CIOUS – Favorable; kind; benevolent; merciful; disposed to forgive offenses and impart unmerited blessings.

Thinking of truly gracious women from the Bible, we have to acknowledge Abigail.  She was 1 Samuel 25:3 – “a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance.”  This does not mean she was a cover girl model – but that her inner beauty expressed itself in her countenance and behavior.   Despite the fact that she was married to a churlish man, she kept her honor in every situation.  For this reason – she was blessed by God.  She became the bride of King David – who is an Old Testament “type” of Jesus Christ.

This same Biblical principle applies not only to Christian women – but to the Bride of Christ as a whole.  We are to appear to the world, as Abigail did.  With good understanding, and a beautiful countenance.  The unsaved will judge Our Holy God by how the church  behaves, and how we appear.  If we act with wisdom and the kind of serenity that Abigail exhibited, we will testify of our King.  She was not passive, but her positive actions were done in such a way, that they earned the favor of the King.

and strong men retain riches.

scales from the bible

Ahh – money, money, money.  That is not the kind of riches the Bible is talking about.  Laodicea says God wants you to be rich.  This is true – but only half true.  When Solomon’s kingdom began to crumble, it was because of his personal weakness.  Your home and family are your kingdom.  Resisting temptation is the kind of strength the Lord is talking about here.  And the riches?  Well, such riches that we can only get a glimpse now.

Romans 11:33-36

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto Him again?

36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen.

sage

Friday Proverb – Holding Your Peace

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Proverbs 11:12

 He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: 

There’s a lot of talk in the media lately about “low information.”  This or that politician or pundit is excoriated for making overreaching statements about things they don’t know enough about.  Well, the same thing happens in the Church family.  How often do we gaze around at what our brothers and sisters are doing and make judgments about them?  I sometimes bristle when people try to tell me about music, most often scolding me for not liking jazz.  There is an assumption that those heavily involved in classical music are also jazz lovers.  This assumption is based on low information.

In the same fashion, when we decide that someone is a “bad” Christian because they don’t make it to church every Sunday, or don’t “pony-up” for the offering – we are als0 demonstrating low information.  It is a sad state of affairs, when the family of God turns on itself.

When a brother or sister is struggling with sin, we have compassion and care for them.  When a brother or sister is embracing sin, then, and only then, do we judge righteously.  to do otherwise – is to be void of wisdom. . .

but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.  

Wouldn’t you rather be a man or woman of understanding?  There is no way, that we can know everything that is going on in the lives of our church family.  Only God knows.  Making petty statements about why this person is doing this or that, is gossip, and it is very harmful to the Church.  If there is something serious going on, that is for the pastor and church elders to handle.  If you notice someone struggling – then go over and talk to them!  Don’t talk to someone else!  Be Jesus’  representative in church as well as in the world.  Your title – Christian – means  “of Christ, or follower of Christ.”  That is an important title to carry, with awesome responsibility.

Romans 11:33-36

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!

34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor?

35 Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

36 For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen.

sage