Not Good Unless Endorsed

NOT GOOD UNLESS ENDORSED

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God –and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.”  (1 Corinthians 1:30

            In the Old Testament, particularly in the book of Proverbs, the term wisdom is often used to refer to the character of God.  In the New Testament, there is further clarification of it in terms of its being invested in the person of Jesus Christ.  “For it pleased the Father that in Him (Christ) all the fullness should dwell.” (Colossians 2:3).  Our theme verse indicates that this wisdom invested in Jesus Christ is for us.

            It is possible to paraphrase the verse to say in effect that Christ Jesus was made over to us and for our benefit.  This One in whom the very wisdom of God is deposited is now delivered over to us who are in Him.  In terms of a banking transaction, this would be a divine deposit made payable to us in the person of Christ (“In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”).  From the divine standpoint the deposit has already been made and the benefit is available to all who are in Christ.  However, before the benefit of this can be realized, we must endorse it by faith.  A check may be donated based on a sound deposit, but if it is not endorsed by the recipient, it is of no benefit.

            How can the benefits of the wisdom of God be described?  There are three elements listed:  righteousness – the status of being right with God, sanctification – the status of being set apart to God, and redemption – the ultimate release and deliverance awaiting us on the basis of the price paid at Calvary.

            Have you endorsed by faith the deposited riches that God made payable to you in Christ? Today’s devotional was written by the late Pastor Bill Raws, grandson of the founder of America’s Keswick. Yesterday was the third anniversary of Pastor Bill’s graduating to heaven. I miss you, Dad!

GPS – God’s Positioning System: 2 Kings 20-21; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 21

Compass Pointers: However many and however great and burdensome your sins may be, with God there is greater mercy. Just as His majesty is, so likewise is His mercy.

Tikhon

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1: Proverbs 29:25; Level 2: Proverbs 29:22-27

Anchored to the Rock: I have many times been driven to my knees by the utter conviction that I had nowhere else to go. Abraham Lincoln