When one becomes a Christian he has made the decision to turn from a life of service to sin toward a life of service to God (1 Cor. 6:9-11). This life may seem confusing at first, but with patents, determination, and understanding, the new Christian will see that this life is a growth process. When the new Christian meets the mature in Christ he must realize that the mature Christian did not become mature overnight. He faced the same weaknesses, temptations, and shortcomings the new Christian faces. The mature diligently strives to overcome these obstacles that would cause his soul to be lost. He does not stand on one principle of God’s Word to see him through this difficult life. Instead, he chooses to serve God with his life in several ways.

First, HE SEEKS THE WISDOM OF GOD. God’s wisdom is only found in His Word. To seek it out His wisdom is truly the most honorable task man can accomplish. This is accomplished: (1) By studying God’s Word. Paul wrote to Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). The word “study” comes from the Greek word “spoudazo,” meaning “to exert one’s self, endeavor, give diligence” (Thayer 585). Paul commanded Timothy to endeavor to be in an approved condition in the sight of Almighty God. Everything essential to obtain God’s approval is included in His Word. (2) By meditating on the Word of God. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:1-2). The blessed man of the above text finds delight in reading and studying the Word of God. He meditates upon that which he reads, and upon what a man meditates determines the real inner man (Prov. 23:7). Perry Cotham once wrote, “A man may not be what he thinks he is, but what he thinks, he is.” (3) By praying according to God’s Word. James said that those who lack wisdom are to ask of God who gives it to all men (James 1:5). Verse 6 tells how to ask, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” When man prays to God for wisdom, he comes before God’s throne with a complete trusting, reliant, faith attached to a desire to do all that God expects of him. When this is accomplished, God gives wisdom liberally. A life of service to God starts with seeking His wisdom.

(Lord willing, continued next week)