WISE UNTO SALVATION

Jack Davis

Part 1

II Tim. 3:15-17, “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Thank God for the insight we are given to the Scripture’s real value. Herein we gain access to every aspect of this great salvation. The Holy Scripture is sent to guide us in spiritual resourcefulness, teaching us to redeem the time, and as we have opportunity, to do good to all men, especially to the household of faith. Realizing the profit of the Scripture is indeed great gain. Our Apostle Paul admonished Timothy (and us) to meditate on the things he had written, and to give himself wholly to them, that his profiting may appear unto all, I Tim. 4:15-16.

Paul asked in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 6:9, “But beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.” He wrote in II Tim. 2:10, “Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Therefore the partakers of eternal salvation have so much to gain by the exercise of God-given wisdom.

WISDOM FROM ABOVE: “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth” James 3:13-14.

Those among us, endowed in heart and mind to holy conduct, by a holy walk, demonstrate a heavenly wisdom and power. Consider I Cor. 2:4-5 and I Thess. 1:5. James describes, in 3:14-16, an unwise attitude which leads to such foolish conduct. These are not something to boast about, or glory in. We do well to seek the Lord earnestly for deliverance from these for they will only hurt and hinder us. The wonderful Word of truth searches out the heart, and would make us know that there is no deliverance realized in denying their presence…”lie not against the truth.”

“This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.” James 3:15-18.

Wisdom from above is not sent down that we may glory in how wise we, or our actions, are. Col. 2:23. This wisdom is divinely produced in us as we feed upon the Word, drink in of the Holy Spirit, and whole heartedly submit to His control in our life. If we will give Him heed, He checks wrong actions, and prompts us to do the will of God. Consider well eight New Creation characteristics of wisdom from above, V. 17.

What a rich treasure trove is God’s Word, shall we not invest time, energy, the most earnest interest therein? Our Father often uses the most unlikely creatures to teach us profound truth. Consider Prov. 30:24-28, “There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

WISE IN PREPARATION: “The Ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;” “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. How long wilt thou sleep, O Sluggard? When wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man? – Prov. 6:6-11.

Shall we learn from the ant to make hay while the sun shines? Some of God’s people, that are not strong in themselves, are making present opportunities count for eternal worth. The Psalmist wrote, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” – Psalm 90:12. He was not just counting days, but having our days count for the Lord. Who can measure the eternal loss a “little” present neglect will bring?

The apostle Paul urges us to “watch, and be sober.” “Wherefore he saith, awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See than that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil” – Eph. 5:14-16.

This is our time to prepare for eternity. The ant can teach us to be spiritually industrious, resourceful. Israel was told to prepare to meet their God, Amos 4:12. We are wise to prepare for that meeting in the air. God would teach us to be “Laying up in store for (ourselves) themselves a good foundation against a time to come, that (we) they may lay hold on eternal life,” hence, all the wealth accompanying this great salvation - I Tim. 6:19.

Read Luke 16:1-13. Oh, let us conduct our business as children of light, far more wisely than the children of this world. Has not God committed to our trust true riches?

The “children of this world” seem to be showing greater prudence and zeal in going after the temporal, material things, than the “children of light” are in interest of their spiritual eternal inheritance. May we not learn of the wise use of our material means in interest of spiritual increase?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” Those aware of their spiritual need enough to be more than passive concerning His abundant supply are blessed indeed. He also said, “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:3,6. Herein we may sense an aggressive attitude of those wise unto salvation toward divine provision. We may see more on this as we consider the wisdom of the spider.
Continued in the next issue.