Proverbs 2:6. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
The Bible begins with God speaking from his mouth.
Let there be…
Let there be…
Let there be…
From his mouth came all things, including knowledge and understanding. Of course, everything God spoke into being has been wise. It hasn’t just been good; it’s been the best. In fact, in Genesis 1 when God declares his creation to be “good,” that word does not mean just OK, it means everything is working the best way it possibly could.
It’s not just the creation itself that is good, it is the created order of all things that is also good. God doesn’t say that there are many good ways to live. He says that there is ONE BEST way to live – in the fear of the Lord. Fearing God begins with listening to God. Where can we hear the mouth of God? Scripture.
2 Timothy 3:16-17. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Scripture comes to us directly from the breath or the mouth of God. To know scripture is to have knowledge and understanding of God, an understanding that makes us complete and fully equipped to do the good works that God has created us for.
But wisdom requires more than just being in the word. The word must also be in you.
Colossians 3:15-16. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
Paul envisions the Christian not just hearing the word preached or reading their Bible, but allowing the word of God to become the word of Christ. The same Christ that lives in us. This means being able to interpret all of scripture through a gospel lens, like Jesus himself did in Luke 24 when he showed the two disciples himself in all of scripture.
Are you growing in your ability to see Christ and his cross in all of the Bible? Has the word of God become the word of Christ to you? Can you distinguish between God’s word of law and his word of gospel grace? Are you seeking wisdom through principles or through the person of Christ?
You: Are you in the word, or is the Word in you?
You in Christ: Christ is speaking to you, in you, and through you. Do you believe this? What have you heard Jesus saying to you lately?
Christ in you: Can you discern between law and gospel? How does focusing on the cross allow us to gain the understanding we need to distinguish between works and grace?
Pray: Father, help me to listen to you as I listen to your word and your Word in me. I want to be able to hear your voice and know that it is you. Keep teaching me to listen to your gospel word. Amen.
To Live is Christ 