Proverbs 1:2. To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
Yesterday we learned that wisdom is skill in living. To add to this definition, we might say that wisdom is learning to navigate the complexities of life. That’s why Solomon will add instruction to wisdom.
Instruction means training with discipline. Likely you have experienced this kind of instruction throughout your life in many ways. Parents. A coach. A personal trainer. A teacher. A drill sergeant. A boss.
We all know that instruction with discipline is good for us. When we do things that are hard for us we learn to not give up, to work hard, to be patient with ourselves (and others), and to keep trying. We also get to know ourselves. We learn what kind of person we are inside.
This is why God will often ask us to do hard things. Not to punish us, but to instruct us. That is, to train us. In fact, training is God’s primary way of sanctifying us. Many Christians are stuck in a false sanctification through trying harder and harder. But wisdom is not about trying, it’s about training. Training so as to have skill in navigating the complexities of life.
Think about a pilot, or an astronaut. These are highly trained individuals. They have received thousands of hours of instruction. Why? So that they can be highly skilled at their jobs, and, more importantly, so that when things go wrong they don’t have to try hard to overcome them, but rather, they can rely on their training. Pilots don’t try to land planes. They are trained to land planes, even in emergency situations.
Christian, ask yourself, is my life characterized primarily by trying to obey God, trying to grow spiritually, trying to be a better person, or is my life characterized by training to follow Christ? Christ in us doesn’t want us to live a life of trying harder and harder – that’s the old, dead self-life being propped up. It’s what Paul calls the flesh, not the Spirit. Rather, Christ in us wants us to train ourselves in the godliness of being like him by trusting him.
Such training requires instruction. Instruction in Christ himself. Instruction in how to live not just FOR Christ, but FROM Christ. Are you actively being instructed in Christ? Are you being trained in Christlikeness? In grace?
Titus 2:11-14. 11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
To be united to Christ is to be united to a moment by moment spiritual training program in the renunciation of ungodliness and the instruction in self-control, uprightness, and godliness. Our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, is our professor and grace is his curriculum. The result? Knowing how to live in this present age while looking forward to the age to come when Christ appears in glory. Amen!
You: Is your life characterized primarily by trying to obey God, or by training to follow Christ?
You in Christ: Paul says that the grace of Christ in us teaches us to renounce ungodliness. How does grace make us want to be godly?
Christ in you: In what ways can you identify the instruction of Christ in your life?
Pray: Father, your instruction for me is Christ himself. No more, no less. Let grace be my guide and good works my desire as I learn to trust Jesus more and more. Amen.
To Live is Christ 