Friday 18 November 2016

Ornament of Grace


Scripture: Proverbs 4 v 7-9: "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."
Proverbs 1 v 7:  "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
1 Peter 3 v 4: "But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price."

In so many areas of life people lack wisdom and self control, and if they are public figures, the media have a field day picking them to pieces.  You have to be tough to withstand that kind of onslaught.  Jesus, the Son of Man, or in His humanity, managed it very well through the ornament of grace that adorned Him.

He had a meek and quiet spirit, which cannot be corrupted, so He would do miracles of healing and deliverance but say don't tell anyone!  However, the word spread and crowds followed Him.  There was no pride in Him that needed to flaunt itself and seek attention.

We need godly wisdom rather than human wisdom, which is the philosophy of great thinkers who generally omit the worship of a holy God from their musings.  Godly wisdom is found in the Bible, which is condensed into all we need to know and do to be changed back into His likeness.  He wants us back the way He created us, not as Satan's toys twisted out of shape to mock and sin against Him.

This planet was created for fallen human beings to have a chance to be reconciled to the Father of Lights, and to discard fantasies, philosophies, wars, alternative lifestyles, false religions, rejection of the knowledge of God, be healed of diseases.  This Earth is God's rehabilitation centre for every despicable thing Satan did to us to be reversed.  Jesus became the prototype of what we must become!

The fear (respect for) the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom. We should respect His instructions and comply with them, for those who shun them are called fools. If sinners entice you do not agree with them. If they put you under peer pressure to do evil stay away from them.  Rather be an influence for righteousness towards them to show them the error of their ways.

If you know that what you are doing is hurting those who love and pray for you, seek help. Ask Jesus to show you how to resist these temptations. Separate yourself from those who call themselves friends but who oppose the righteous ways of Jesus. They mock our gracious Lord and use His mighty name as a curse word. They reject His salvation and want to impose their loose living upon you.

The Lord is not mocked. He knows who are His. If you are born again and still running with the crowd of sinners beware lest they drag you back into the world and you lose the blessings you have gained.  It happens so subtly that you don't notice the effect of ungodly people on the way you think and behave. 

It is a privilege and honour to be part of the Lord's family. Don't be like Esau who threw away his birthright for a plate of stew. Rather let your meek obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ be an ornament of grace upon your head.

Prayer: Heavenly Father we have to learn obedience as it does not come naturally to us. Please help us to be willing to learn so that You will be pleased with us.  Let us become humble, kind, loving children of God so that we can be changed into Your likeness and the ornament of grace shall adorn us. In Jesus' name. Amen.