Something I have been pondering recently is the idea of “becoming.” A beautiful paradox is found in the fact that God came to give us rest, yet also to motivate us towards betterment, maturation, and completion. His unconditional love is found in both acts. He loves us as we are and longs to sanctify us and fill us to full measure with Himself.
Sanctification means becoming like Jesus and growing to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. When we know Jesus—truly know His character and personhood—we desire to become like Him. This becoming process entails the diligent work of setting aside things that hinder and fixing our eyes on Christ, the Son of God, in all circumstances (Heb 12:2). This kind of diligence leads to an increase in good things and a decrease in what we lack (Jas 1:4).
One aspect of becoming like Christ as God’s image bearers is being filled with the wisdom of God.
This is made evident throughout Scripture. The Lord wants to give us wisdom. Wisdom is a good gift, and every person who believes in Jesus Christ can receive wisdom and increase in it.
1 Corinthians 2 tells us that true wisdom does not come from the world but comes from the Spirit of God Himself. Proverbs 3:19 reveals that God, by wisdom, created the world. Colossians 2:2-3 declares that in Christ exists all the treasures of wisdom. As believers, we house the wisdom of God because we house God. This is a miraculous truth.
Proverbs 9:10 tells us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. This means that we receive wisdom by submitting to God, revering Him, and worshiping Him by giving Him our lives. We are filled with understanding when we acknowledge who God truly is. His character of grace and truth is made evident in His Word, namely, in the person of Jesus Christ (Heb 1:3).
Proverbs 2:6 tells us that the Lord gives wisdom, and from His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Perhaps you feel as though God does not speak to you. Regardless of what you are going through and may feel, I can assure you that He is speaking.
Every time you open up the Word of God, there His voice is.
Each word found in this sacred book was written with you in mind. In reading God’s Word and letting it dwell in you richly, you will receive comfort, peace, joy, hope, renewal, life, wisdom, and every good thing.
As you take the intentional steps in this season to set aside the weights that hinder you, begin to pray for wisdom from above that is first pure then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (Jas 3:17). Such wisdom is more precious than jewels (Prov 8:11). It is necessary we acquire wisdom in greater proportion so that we are not deceived by lies but anchored to the truth and bold to proclaim it (Col 2:4). May we be disciplined in our pursuit of the Lord and His wisdom, remaining firm in our faith in Christ Jesus (Col 2:5).
When you ask God for wisdom, praise Him for being a generous and kind Father who has cleansed you by the power of the Word, Jesus Christ (Jas 1:5). Ask in faith as His child. Believe, and you will be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
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Join us as we study God’s Word using the Lent study!
Grab your journal today and dive in!
