WTM JOURNAL
by Yuri Solomon But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) Yuri Solomon holds degrees from Gospel Ministry Outreach Theological Institute and the College of Biblical Studies. He is author of the book Biblical Masculinity. More info @ www.wordtalkonline.orgAgainst Such There is No Law
8/03/2010 / Devotionals
What is this medium that Paul has in view? There is a place where heaven and earth meet, where the world has no objections, an earthly value that is found in wisdom rather carnal or spiritual.
Often, the world finds the value and function in the virtue of wisdom more so than Christians. This may in part be because earth is all the unbeliever has. Yet this is no backward accolade for the lack of wisdom on the part of the Christian. Jesus complimented an unjust steward for His prudence and said, "For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light." This has been said in another way: Some Christians are so heavenly bound until they are no earthly good.
I was talking to a lady who objected to Christians going to the doctor. She said that she walks by faith and not by sight. I said to her, my faith says I can only die when God is ready for me to die. Doctors simply employ the wisdom of God in creation to help me live better physically. The simple distinction is that faith operates in the context of redemption, while wisdom operates in the context of creation.
There are two positions that one in opposition to God may be found in. One may not be disciplined in an area of wisdom and must, in the context of salvation, be brought into the knowledge of God's pleasure in this certain type of behavior. On the other hand, one may understand and embrace a particular discipline outside of the context of salvation; yet such behavior is neither motivated by God's pleasure nor carried out for God's glory. The behavior is good in the earthly context rather Christian or non-Christian; however, it is only "truly good" or "eternally good" carried out in righteous service to God. It has been said that, some non-Christians live better by practice than Christians live on purpose.
Yet it is the same wisdom that the world respects that is the vehicle for soul-winning. The grace, mercy, and love of God are made visible by the medium of wisdom. What fault is there to be found in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance?
Pilate stated it best in his priestly examination and declaration of the Lamb of God, "I find no fault in Him."