A WISE MAN

"O you simple, understand wisdom: and, you fools, be you of an understanding heart," (Proverbs 8:5).

Allow me to draw your attention to a simple passage of scripture, with which nearly everyone is familiar. Parents teach it to their youngsters. They often sing a song about it. It has a message of importance for older folk too. "Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it," (Matthew 7:24-27).

These verses are a very graphic illustration of the power and authority behind all the things Jesus has been talking about in what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. It is about authority and obedience.

Jesus is contrasting a wise man and a foolish man. A wise man will find out what Jesus says in his New Testament just as a wise man will build his house on a good foundation. He will hear, which means he will understand the teaching, and then he will DO what Jesus authorizes. He will obey the Master teacher.

In contrast, he, who hears and yes, even understands, but does NOT obey what Jesus authorizes, is likened to a foolish man. Friends, none of us want to be identified as fools, now do we?

This teaching of Jesus gives us the very essence of our purpose upon the earth. The wise man Solomon also comes to a striking conclusion of this whole matter of living. It is very similar to that of Jesus. Solomon says, "Fear god and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil," (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

How about it friend, do you have a wise and understanding heart?

By Wendell Ward

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