The Wisdom That is from Above

2003-12-17 21:39

The Bible is able to make us wise for salvation. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God. No one can understand the word of God except by the Spirit of God. It is written, "Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, 'Jesus be cursed,' and no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:3)."

All Scripture testifies about his Son Jesus whom God sent into the world. Jesus, who came from above, is the Word of God. It is written about Jesus, the Word who became flesh, "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God--that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)." The wisdom that comes from above is through Jesus who came from God.

Therefore, those who have the wisdom that comes from above have Jesus in their heart. The Bible says about it, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness (James 3:10-18)."

Those who have the wisdom that is from above take Jesus' yoke and follow him. Those who take Jesus' yoke and follow him are gentle and humble in heart. Those who believe in Jesus and receive the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, belong to Christ Jesus. They have the wisdom of the Spirit and holy understanding. However, the wisdom that is not through the Spirit of Christ Jesus has bitter envy and selfish ambition in itself. As it is written, such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

The knowledge of Christ Jesus is the Spirit of Christ by itself, and so no arguments take place within it. No selfish ambition, boasting and arrogance exist in it. Pure is the wisdom that is given from above to the faithful, who have gentle and humble hearts. The wisdom without pure life is not from above.

Those who received the Spirit of the Son surely have peace. The peacemakers are sons of God. The wisdom without peace is not from above. It has nothing to do with salvation. It only gives birth to arrogant knowledge.

We can see that many of those who say they are saved don't have consideration and submission. They have received a different gospel, a different Jesus and a different spirit. It is said that each tree is recognized by its own fruit. Those who are truly saved have the Spirit of Christ. They have merciful hearts. Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Those who are not merciful, though they have received mercy from God, don't have mercy on people. It is written, "Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned (Hebrews 6:7-8)."

The wisdom that is from above is full of good fruit. It is written, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good (Titus 2:14)." And also, "As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God (1 Peter 4:2)."

The wisdom that is from above is without partiality and without hipocrisy. Those who have the wisdom consider everyone alike in the love of Christ, and also sincere. Liars will not inherit the kingdom of God. Liars have not been born again.

Because he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit, he who is not one with the Lord is not of Christ. There are many people who say they know the mind of the Lord and instruct him, but it's hard to find those who have the mind of Christ. The Bible says, "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)." Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. The wisdom says that faith working through love is to the saving of the soul. All faith does not lead to salvation.

It is written, "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)."

A people who will produce its fruit will enter the kingdom of God. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. The Bible says, "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13)."

The wisdom that comes from above is different from the wisdom of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. It is written, "so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power (1 Corinthians 2:5)." And again, "These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual (1 Corinthians 2:13)."

The wisdom for salvation is only in the word of the Lord, which can be understood only in the Spirit of truth. Amen. Thank you, Lord.

The least brother, Kim Yun-gu