Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Education that Leads to Wisdom
Bible portion: Ephesians 5:9-17
Verse: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5: 15-17
Devotion
Verse: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” Ephesians 5: 15-17
Devotion
I was recently in Europe and was guided through a tour of an old church. The guide explained that the churches of that time had elaborate stained glass pictures and detailed paintings because the majority of people at the time did not know how to read. So the great part of their understanding of God, His love for us, what Jesus did for us, God’s purpose for us, and His
directions for us were obtained from these pictures. Every expression and gesture mattered – to convey the heart and intention of God.
Today almost all of us have the privilege of knowing how to read. We can open a book straight from God’s lips and read what He wants to say. What great opportunity to become wise from the source of Wisdom itself!
What is Wisdom? The dictionary says it is the “application of experience, knowledge and good judgement.” When it comes to knowledge, we can all read and probably have a Bible within arms reach right this moment. Knowledge is accessible, but Wisdom is choosing to learn and APPLYING that knowledge. If we just read the rest of this Ephesians chapter there are clear directions:
- Be kind
- Use your words to uplift others
- Be satisfied with what you have and be thankful
- Respect and serve your partner
- Remember God and sing songs to Him
God knows what is good for us and He has clearly laid it out. We KNOW the instructions – now its time to DO it. That’s the hard part. We know to ‘be kind’, but it’s hard to actually BE kind to that annoying coworker, friend or family member who says things that upset us. But Wisdom is in the application of what we know what God has told us to do.
I recently heard a quote by Mark Batterson “Most Christians are educated way beyond the level of their obedience! We don’t need to know more, we
need to do more." If you don’t feel you Know God and His direction, certainly get educated – read the Bible, listen to great teachers explain God’s truths, pray and seek God’s voice directly. In fact, we should all be immersing ourselves in His truth daily. But often the much harder part – where the ‘rubber meets the road’ - is in obeying Him once we’ve heard from Him. In that there is wisdom and a real love for God that comes out in our actions.
directions for us were obtained from these pictures. Every expression and gesture mattered – to convey the heart and intention of God.
Today almost all of us have the privilege of knowing how to read. We can open a book straight from God’s lips and read what He wants to say. What great opportunity to become wise from the source of Wisdom itself!
What is Wisdom? The dictionary says it is the “application of experience, knowledge and good judgement.” When it comes to knowledge, we can all read and probably have a Bible within arms reach right this moment. Knowledge is accessible, but Wisdom is choosing to learn and APPLYING that knowledge. If we just read the rest of this Ephesians chapter there are clear directions:
- Be kind
- Use your words to uplift others
- Be satisfied with what you have and be thankful
- Respect and serve your partner
- Remember God and sing songs to Him
God knows what is good for us and He has clearly laid it out. We KNOW the instructions – now its time to DO it. That’s the hard part. We know to ‘be kind’, but it’s hard to actually BE kind to that annoying coworker, friend or family member who says things that upset us. But Wisdom is in the application of what we know what God has told us to do.
I recently heard a quote by Mark Batterson “Most Christians are educated way beyond the level of their obedience! We don’t need to know more, we
need to do more." If you don’t feel you Know God and His direction, certainly get educated – read the Bible, listen to great teachers explain God’s truths, pray and seek God’s voice directly. In fact, we should all be immersing ourselves in His truth daily. But often the much harder part – where the ‘rubber meets the road’ - is in obeying Him once we’ve heard from Him. In that there is wisdom and a real love for God that comes out in our actions.
Prayer
Father God, forgive us for our disobedience. Allow us to hear from You and give us the desire and strength to obey You. Let “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” – please don’t let us go – but keep working in us and through us. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dr. Betsy Mathew
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY
Thought for the Day
“One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” ~Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Dr. Betsy Mathew
Epiphany Mar Thoma Church, NY